By Fai Walker, MS 126 Sustainability Coach
As part of the Greenpoint Eco-Schools program, teachers at M.S. 126 facilitate bi-weekly classes that teach students Pathways to Sustainability—Water, Consumption and Waste, Schoolyard Habitats, and Healthy Schools.
During these classes known as D.E.A.L Clubs (Drop Everything and Lead), students follow the Eco –Schools USA Seven Step Framework to identify environmental improvements and actions for the school. The teachers who work with these student leaders are known as Eco-Facilitators. As the Sustainability Coach at the school, I provide support to these teachers and clubs. At the end of the school year, I spoke to one of the Eco-Facilitators, Ms. Glowacki. We made time to share a meal and some laughs between celebrations, graduations, and end of year events! Find excerpts from our conversation below.
Green Clean: Eco-Schools Healthy Schools Pathway: Ms. Glowacki, ESL teacher and Garden Committee
“Being an Eco-Facilitator is not extra work. I do it because it’s fun. I have been an Eco-Facilitator for just a few months. Before, I taught Yoga through DEAL Club. I do feel that I am in the right place now. I am in the right area. I belong somewhere where I can smell, touch and feel. I have never been a gardener, but my Mama and Papa made sure that we had a garden. Every weekend in Poland we would travel to our garden. Mama grew plants and fruits, Papa grew vegetables. It’s my fondest childhood memory. I am hoping that I can combine and expand the school environment to the garden.
I want to improve the environment in the school. One of the highlights was working with Liz Santiago from Celebrity to make green cleaners for the classrooms. Everyone was involved and had questions. They wanted to know how she knew it was healthy. Liz was so good with them.
My advice to a new Eco-Facilitator is to meet with the other Eco-Facilitators! We are each other’s support. We collaborate. The thing is, you have to feel it. It has to be in your heart. I love that we participate in professional development. It was such an experience— [the Intensive Gardening Weekend at] Governor’s Island gave me so many ideas. I can transfer ideas from there in to my life. I can share them with my grandchildren and incorporate them into my private space.
My heartfelt gratitude to you for your constant presence and reminders.