Berkshire schools educator named conservation teacher of year

BURTON, Ohio — The Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District has announced Cheri Goggin, environmental science teacher for Berkshire Junior/Senior High School, has been named the 2011 Ohio Conservation Teacher of the Year in the secondary category.

Each year the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts recognizes two outstanding classroom teachers from across the state. Individuals are chosen from two categories (elementary and secondary) for their exemplary efforts and commitment to conservation education.

Goggin will be recognized at the OFSWCD Annual Meeting Awards Luncheon in Columbus where she’ll receive an award and cash prize.

Efforts

Goggin has nurtured a partnership with Geauga SWCD and takes advantage of the programs offered. Her students participate in Geauga SWCD’s annual poster contests and she was instrumental in getting the art teacher and students involved in painting barrels for the annual Rain Barrel Yard Art Campaign. Two grants her students wrote and submitted were awarded and funding will go toward construction of a rain garden and indoor learning stations.

In the 2010-2011 school year, Goggin attended both of Geauga SWCD’s Wonders of Watersheds Teacher Workshops. In addition, she was asked to assist with developing a high school level watershed program with the Cuyahoga Valley National Park’s Environmental Education Center.