Greener Grounds
Written by: Evy Ayers, Grade 12, Monsignor Doyle Secondary School
WCDSB Teacher Receives “Susan Langley’s Earth Steward Teaching Award”
As the world continues to face global environmental concerns, practicing sustainability is more important than ever. One of the most essential places to nurture a green thumb is with children. Teaching responsibility and resourcefulness in the classroom isn’t something easily found in a textbook, which is why Susan Langley’s Earth Steward Teaching Award is a meaningful recognition for teachers to strive toward.
This award recognizes educators who actively implement practical uses of sustainability and environmental values in their classrooms. One of the 2024 recipients of this award is Katie Croft, a teacher at St. Anne Catholic Elementary School in Kitchener, Ont. Katie began her career in education at Queen’s University and went on to work as an elementary teacher at St. Anne.
“I got into education because I just always loved kids. I always worked at daycares, African Lion Safari, or camps,” Katie explains. She goes on to describe the importance of teaching the younger generation, and how essential it is to provide them with as much knowledge as possible. “They’re the future learners of tomorrow, so I’m just trying to make these little kiddos the best possible beings they can be and help them reach their full potential.”
This award not only highlights the importance of sustainability but also shines a spotlight on those who are truly passionate about the environment. Katie shares her unique connection with nature and how caring for greenery aligns with her Indigenous roots.
One of the most significant factors behind her receipt of this award was her initiative in starting a gardening club. “I randomly got this passion to start a garden club—I’d never gardened before in my life,” she admits. Although gardening was new to her, it was something that called to her.
“My mom loaned me just a couple of watering cans, a couple of shovels—it started off so small, but that’s what we began with.” Due to the high cost of gardening supplies, the garden club required additional funding. After receiving some money from the school, Katie bought some basic supplies from the dollar store and got to work.
To better support the club, Katie began applying for various grants to invest in more durable gardening tools. This is when she discovered Susan Langley’s Earth Steward Teaching Award.
“I applied for this award because I felt like I started a gardening club out of nothing. It’s something the kids look forward to each week,” she explains, adding, “We should only take what we need and remember that we need to take care of Mother Earth.”
“I guess I’m just trying to teach these little ones that sustainability matters now and in the future. We need to make changes now in order to impact the future more positively.”
From what Katie has shared, it’s clear she cares deeply for both the environment and her impressionable students. She shared some of her club’s activities, including a partnership with Conestoga College.
The college provided the elementary school with supplies to create sustainable, recyclable poppies for Remembrance Day. These poppies contained real seeds, so once the biodegradable poppies were planted, they would bloom in the spring.
As the conversation drew to a close, it became clear that Katie’s passion extended beyond the garden bed, fostering community and inspiration. “Sometimes you just need to get people talking and aware of it, and from there, that creates movement.”
“So, I guess the best thing about this award is that, yes, it’s getting attention, and now the best thing is that this attention can create movement for other schools, perhaps? To create their own garden clubs and care for their grounds.”
Instilling a green thumb and teaching the younger generation about sustainability can equip them with skills to face environmental challenges. If not to help the environment, these values can encourage children to be hands-on and compassionate toward things in their lives that they may grow to love.
Susan Langley’s Earth Steward Teaching Award not only serves as recognition for those who dedicate time and effort to teaching sustainability but also encourages others to follow in their footsteps, practicing sustainability in their own lives.
This article is part of the WCDSB Jr. Journalist program, an initiative designed to provide journalistically inclined secondary students with a platform to share stories from their school and showcase their impressive talents.
Are you a Secondary School student interested in joining the program? If so, please contact communications@wcdsb.ca
