SAMMI Awards 2012 Finalist Profiles: Environmental and Learning Promotion Awards

This year the SAMMI Awards Foundation has invited Sammamish Patch to share with you the comments of finalists in its 11 award categories. We'll bring you several of these categories each day this week as we approach the March 16 awards ceremony. The public is invited to attend the ceremony at 7 p.m. at Eastridge Church on 24205 SE Issaquah Fall City Road.

The doors open at 5:30 p.m., and Girl Scout Troop 41595 has 6 girls who are doing a Silver Award Project to highlight past recipients at the Ceremony Reception. Be sure to stop by and say "Hi" to Sammamish Patch at the ceremony as well!

The foundation will be awarding the Youth Advocate Award this year in honor of Officer Stan Chapin, and is dedicating the ceremony in his memory of serving the community in so many ways. 

Here are this year's finalists, in their own words, for the Environmental and Learning Promotion Awards (See also and Art and Courage finalists):

Environmental

A person or business who advocates for environmental issues through the use of their time, talent, and resources to help better our natural environment by reducing carbon foot print, or restoring lands, rivers, & trails.

Jan Bird: I want to play a role in passing on this environment to future generations. 150 years ago, settlers developed the land with no thought of preservation. 100 years ago, the west was “closed”. What we have now is all we have; it is critical that we protect it. Although natural beauty is the original reason I got involved in environmental issues, health concerns have given me another. After surviving two environmentally caused cancers, I know that if we don’t keep the environment healthy for plants and wild life, we won’t be healthy either. Environmental work furthers public health. Finally, working for the environment connects you with the most amazing people, giving you a sense of community makes you feel good about yourself and where the world is headed!

Pauline Cantor: My love of the outdoors, and helping people feel good about themselves are what have made me tick since my teens. As an avid rock climber, backpacker, and mountaineer, I work at “challenge” courses, promoting team-building and self-esteem. Living in Hawaii and Alaska gave me an appreciation of the green landscapes and wilderness, and have continued to find happiness living near greenbelts and open space – even when the deer ear my rhodies! Living in Sammamish has given me the chance to volunteer as a Sammamish Parks Commissioner, Sammamish Native-Plant Steward, Sammamish Trail Steward, and Sammamish Backyard Wildlife Project member. I have helped organize salvaging of native plants in Sammamish, and assisted building trails with the Washington Trails Association as well as homes with the Together We Build organization.

Clare Jenkins: The environment has always been a passion of mine. I was the kid who spent the whole day out exploring the woods, and was nicknamed “tree hugger” by my family! Discovering the strong connections between social and environmental issues while studying to become an environmental engineer led me to a stronger interest in grass roots environmental work. That passion led me to teaching science and the opportunity to guide young people to discovery, understanding and a sense of responsibility around our environment and its integrity. My hope is to inspire young people to develop a love for the environment, understand the impacts of global issues, and learn they can do things in the local community to preserve and protect some of that fragility.

Judy Petersen: Sammamish is dotted with lakes and blessed with acres of natural habitat and miles of walking trails. We live in a beautiful environment. But, we risk losing it unless we share a vision that focuses on protecting this environment. That is why I do what I do. I volunteer in the hope that we can sustain the natural beauty that brought me to Sammamish more than 30 years ago and keeps me here in Sammamish today. 

Erica Tiliacos: As the Lead WNPS (Washington Native Plant Steward) steward in 2009, I have been committed to preserving the environment in Sammamish. I have worked with the WNPS restoration project in Lower Commons and the Kokanee Projects here in our community. I have regularly worked with the Planning Commission and City Council to develop plans for protecting the health of our environment. I do this to insure a healthy community for our children and generations to come. I feel I bring a great deal of knowledge and passion to the table and love sharing that with youth groups to educate them through various environmental projects.

Learning Promotion

One who’s enriching and inspiring contributions create a positive environment for students that stimulates creativity, imagination and enthusiasm for learning.

Paul Doran: I do what I do because I love history and I love to teach it. I take the great thinkers of tomorrow and give them an insight into the past—something that will help them to understand the future. I do what I do because I love working with young people and honing their skills, whether to inspire an idea that will help make the lives of those around them better, or teach them a simple flip turn. I do what I do to ask and answer questions, to make sure students see all angles, and to make them better people, leaders, and citizens. I do what I do because it makes me laugh, smile, create, puzzle, instruct, question, wonder, consider, and think. I do what I do because I love to do what I do.

Danielle Maletta: When meeting new people, they always ask: “What do you do?” When I respond “I’m a high school math teacher,” they typically wince a bit and go on to tell me how awful their school math experiences were. It’s these frequent replies that remind me of why I chose this profession. There are so many students who struggle with math and desperately need a teacher who will find a way in. In that moment, when I have connected with a student and they have caught my fire, something amazing happens – they get excited, they make connections between ideas, they see relevance, and they want to learn more. Few will admit that teaching is a selfish profession; we may not be the highest paid and we might be overqualified for what we do, but we are rewarded every day by the gratitude and eagerness of our students. I cannot imagine doing anything else! 

Laura Metheny: I teach to prepare my students to open their eyes to the dynamic world around them and actively participate in effective communication about substantive issues to affect positive change. I teach literature due to its exploration and humanization of perennial trends and themes, affording students opportunities to be simultaneously entertained and educationally enriched. Finally, I teach students to accurately reflect on their own learning because I believe that timely metacognition can lead to realistic goal setting and ultimately a sense of accomplishment. The young people of Sammamish deserve developmentally appropriate academic and interpersonal challenges to allow them to develop the skills, knowledge, and character necessary for success in an increasingly competitive global environment.

Matt O’Rourke: From the day I walked into the classroom at Eastside Catholic I felt welcomed and remember thinking that this place was heaven. Through the Options students I am fortunate enough to work with an incredible group of kids, the entire student body, teachers and administration, and genuinely feel a strong sense of community. I feel blessed to have the Options students in my life and the memories I've obtained over the years will last a lifetime. I always tell people that if you are having a bad day, just come to my room and experience the magic of laughter. The options students will make you smile and keep you laughing. The warmth of their hearts and their smiling faces is why I have been at Eastside for 17 years.

I have a strong belief that the options students can benefit from us, but more importantly, we can benefit more by knowing and participating in their lives. Options students' circle of close friends can be limited due to preconceived notions, but one of my goals as their teacher is to help them expand their friendships and conversely to help mainstream students see how Options students can enrich their lives. I want to help develop and nurture their circle so these friendships will carry on into their adult lives, hopefully those who are on the outer side of this circle will start to value all that they have to offer.

Ronda Patrick: I have been blessed in my life to have found my passion. For 32 years I have loved teaching teenagers about the world of business and marketing and bridging the gap between school and work. My students also teach me every day with their humor, kindness and strength. Three years ago I experienced a personal tragedy. With the help of my students, I was able to funnel my grief into positive energy. Together we started a DECA program which encourages students to reach their highest potential, allows them to be mentored by quality community members, and provides opportunities for them to give back to their community and show their leadership. The inspiration, energy, and intangible rewards from I receive remind me each day it is my highest privilege and honor to help mold the future and teach students to be lifelong learners with high ethical standards. This is why I teach.