Tonya, Stacy Porzondek sponsored by WM for environmental training

Mother and daughter teachers Tonya and Stacy Porzondek were recently sponsored by Waste Management to attend the Michigan Alliance of Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) Fall Conference at the MDNR Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center at North Higgins Lake.
Tonya Porzondek is a teacher at Savage Elementary and Stacy Porzondek is a teacher at Edgemont Elementary.
“MAEOE’s mission is to train teachers and enhance teacher educational efforts around environmental education in Michigan schools,” said Kathleen Klein of Waste Management.
“Early outdoor and environmental education has been attributed to encouraging student interest in the fields of science and engineering – important professions for the sustainability of our society,” she said.
“We had an absolutely positive experience,” said Tonya Porzondek. “We are both proud to be a part of the effort around environmental education. We had a spectacular time and want to continue our relationship with MEOEA and the very fine people involved.”
After returning from the conference, both teachers received permission to start Michigan native plant gardens at their schools.
“School gardens are excellent ways to teach science and biology as well as develop an appreciation for nature,” Klein said. “Students get hands-on experiential education about the environment and the satisfaction of literally seeing the fruits of their labors. It is a very empowering experience for youth.”