Educators

Place-Based Stewardship Education (PBSE)

Place-based stewardship education (PBSE) is an educational approach that uses a community's local environment and culture as the foundation for learning. It connects students' academic studies with real-world issues and encourages them to become active and responsible members of their community. This approach aims to foster a sense of place, enhance academic engagement, and promote community and environmental stewardship.

In a simpler way and localized way, NEMIGLSI defines PBSE as students engaged in protecting the Great Lakes and natural resources of northeast Michigan through hands-on learning in and with the community while meeting Michigan’s education standards.

NEMIGLSI fosters PBSE in northeast Michigan though:

Sustained professional development for teachers enhancing their skill set and the scope of their knowledge.
Hands-on, place-based stewardship education developing knowledgeable and active student stewards.
Schools and communities working together mutually beneficial partnerships.

Curriculum and Project Resources

As a network, we serve as a hub for resources; you will see a few highlighted. This is not an exhaustive list, but you can use the links below to explore our partners' resources.

Virtual Introductions to PBSE

Taking a Bite Out of Lunchroom Waste ( Video Training Access)

Campus Clean Up

Introduction to PBSE

If you’re interested in Place-Based Stewardship Education and want to learn at your own pace, you're in the right place! This asynchronous course offers fundamental knowledge about Place-Based Stewardship Education (PBSE) and how to implement this type of teaching in your classroom. Our goal is to help you as an educator feel more comfortable with these teaching methods and build your confidence to start your own project.

This course guides you through what we at the Northeast Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative (NEMIGLSI) refer to as the "6 Elements." These serve as helpful, step-by-step guides to navigate through your PBSE project. As you progress through the Introduction to PBSE, you will discover that these six elements are simply tools to assist you in selecting your project, choosing your partners, and successfully completing your efforts. You'll also learn how to celebrate the incredible work you accomplish. How to get started Reach out.

Contact NEMIGLSI staff if you have questions or would like to sign up for the course: nemiglsi@greatlakesstewardship.org.

Mentor Teachers

Our NEMIGLSI team has worked with educators at all different stages, we recognize the importance of teacher mentorship. If you are interested in Place-Based Stewardship Education, but have a few questions reach out to our mentor teachers listed below. You will find their names, the grade and subjects they teach, and projects they have completed. They have years of experience in place-based education and are willing to share any expertise they have.

If you are interested in asking them questions reach out to them in your email include your name, grade, subjects taught, and the question you would like to ask a mentor teacher.

Jenny Schroder

Elementary Science Coach
Alcona Elementary School
- Habitat Assessments, Hoop houses for fresh foods, Wildlife exploration, and healthy forest conservation.
schroederj@alconaschools.net

Liz Thomson

Middle School Science Teacher
Alcona Middle School
- Water quality assessments, forest exploration, native plantings, and vernal pool identification.
thomsone@alconaschools.net

Luke Freeman

High School Science Teacher
Au-Gres Sims High School
- Bioswales, native gardens, food sales, and greenhouse tactics.
freemanl@ags-schools.org

Kelli Rau

4th Grade Science Teacher
Whittemore-Prescott Elementary School
- Sturgeon in the classroom, composting, marine debris removal, lunchroom waste assessments, and raising chickens
rauk@wpas.net

Rebecca Heckman

Middle/ High School Science Teacher
Inland Lakes Schools
- Lunchroom waste monitoring, composting, water quality, cross-curricular programs, ecosystem mapping, and growing greens.
bheckman@inlandlakes.org

Stephanie Dege-Goebel

High School Science Teacher
Posen Consolidated School
- Marine debris prevention and removal, grant writing, career connections, geography mapping, and shoreline protection
sdege@posen.k12.mi.us