Green Schools | News

Center for Green Schools Launches Green Classroom Professional Certificate

• By Joshua Bolkan
• 04/02/12

The Center for Green Schools has launched the Green Classroom Professional Certificate program to teach educators, administrators, and parents about sustainable schools and classrooms.

Designed for individuals involved with preK-12 classrooms, the online course takes approximately two to three hours to complete and consists of 12 modules covering classroom health and topics such as indoor air quality, water efficiency, materials, and resources. An assessment with animations and multiple choice questions guides teachers through scenarios they may encounter in the classroom. After the assessment is successfully completed, the certificate is valid for five years.

"The National Education Association (NEA) is proud to endorse this exciting program, which creates an opportunity for educators to learn about sustainability and implement real change in their classrooms," said Jerald Newberry, executive director at the NEA's Health Information Network. "We recognize that teachers operate best when working in a healthy, sustainable environment, and the Green Classroom Professional Certificate equips educators with the skills to begin making changes in their own classrooms…changes that foster student well-being and success, while making it easier for them to teach."

The course, including modules and assessment, costs $75.

Part of the United States Green Building Council, the Center for Green Schools seeks to "drive change in how we design, construct and operate our schools and campuses so they will enhance student learning experiences," according to information on the organization's Web site.

More information about the Green Classroom Professional Certificate and the Center for Green Schools is available at centerforgreenschools.org.