Established in February 2016, OSSE’s Environmental Literacy Leadership Cadre is a group of individuals from elementary schools across the District who are responsible for developing a plan to implement the Environmental Literacy Framework at their schools and coordinating its implementation.

Who: The 2022-23 Leadership Cadre is the fourth cohort of schools that will work with OSSE’s environmental literacy program. OSSE will select school-based educators, with each participating school having a maximum of two educators in the Leadership Cadre. Selection criteria will include (a) teaching experience; (b) grade levels taught; (c) subject matter expertise; (d) letter of recommendation from administration; and (e) writing sample. In addition, individuals will be selected to serve as mentors. Mentors will have expertise and guidance in developing school-based environmental literacy programs.

What: The Leadership Cadre, in partnership with OSSE, will meet to (a) receive comprehensive professional development related to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), (b) develop and implement a school-based environmental literacy program using the Environmental Literacy Framework, (c) discuss existing supports and make recommendations regarding environmental literacy implementation in elementary schools, and (d) disseminate information about environmental literacy to their community and garner feedback on the school-based environmental literacy program.

Outcomes:  By bringing together local expertise, OSSE will understand how to better integrate environmental literacy into school curricula and provide rich experiences to students that will lead to improved academic performance of students.

When: Educators will meet monthly from January-June 2022 and over the 2022-23 school year.

Commitment: Selected educators are expected to attend and fully participate in the monthly meetings (estimated 2 hours per session). Educators and mentors will communicate with each other once per month outside of the monthly meetings. In addition, educators are expected to deliver and refine (with school colleagues) the environmental literacy program developed at their school last year.

Incentives: All participants from Cohort 4 schools will be paid a stipend upon successful completion of the project. Stipend amounts will be based on number of representatives from one school and available funds. Mentors will also receive a stipend.

Alumni schools: Three cohorts of schools have participated in the leadership cadre and are featured in these snapshots.

The following schools are represented in Cohort 4 (2022-23):

• Mary McLeod Bethune PCS
• Brightwood Education Campus
• Burrville Elementary
• Center City PCS – Brightwood
• C.W. Harris Elementary
• Hendley Elementary
• KIPP DC – Honor Academy
• Langley Elementary
• Powell Elementary
• Sela PCS
• Van Ness Elementary
• Washington Yu Ying PCS

Related Content

• Environmental Literacy Leadership Cadre Alumni Schools
• Environmental Literacy Framework
• Sample School-Based Environmental Literacy Plans

For more information or questions, please contact Grace Manubay (202) 654-6116 or [email protected].