Sandlapper Elementary Teacher Named Conservation Teacher of the Year

COLUMBIA, SC – May 3, 2014 – Brooke Scott, a fourth-grade teacher at Sandlapper Elementary School, has been named Richland County’s Conservation Teacher of the Year for 2014 by the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District.

As her school’s Recycling Facilitator, Scott has spearheaded the expansion of Sandlapper’s recycling program to accept over 20 items, including shoes, small electronics, and glue sticks. Her students share their recycling knowledge with the community through outreach efforts including a Recycled Art Gala, Earth Day Recycling Extravaganza, public service announcements and hallway displays. This year, Scott’s students have raised more than $5,000 for school conservation projects. Scott and Sandlapper Elementary participate in conservation initiatives such as Green Steps Schools, Great American Cleanup, Cans for Conservation, TerraCycle, Shoes4Water and Action for a Greener Tomorrow.

“My main goal is to help students care,” says Scott, explaining what motivates her to focus on conservation in the classroom. “I want them to care about others and care about their world by being change agents, and helping others become change agents.”

Karyn Taylor, a third-grade teacher at Pontiac Elementary School, was awarded Honorable Mention in this year’s contest. Taylor, a leader for conservation at Pontiac Elementary School, is a member of the school’s Green Steps Team and coordinates school composting projects and education. She and her students also maintain a school garden and wildlife habitat.