Ashley P. Smith
Alabama Forestry Association
MONTGOMERY— The Alabama Project Learning Tree (PLT) Steering Committee applauds educators, facilitators, and partners whose efforts make the Project Learning Tree ® program successful. Using the PLT environmental education curriculum improves student learning and fosters environmental stewardship. Recently Alabama PLT presented the 2021 Alabama Project Learning Tree Educator of the Year Award.
Billingsley resident Monica M. Ousley, retired Education Administrator for Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative, is an advocate for science education. Throughout her career, she passionately taught students and other educators through effective curriculum and standards-based science lessons. Monica has always felt that the best science lessons were brought to life with hands-on, real-world applications. In Project Learning Tree, she discovered a high-quality, science-based curriculum that provides professional development opportunities for educators along with a network of support. Additionally, the Project Learning Tree resource confirms what she and her family understand – trees and forests in Alabama are an important renewable, natural resource. When managed sustainably, forests provide a wealth of environmental and economic benefits. Monica and her husband live on a seven-generation family farm that is also a certified Tree Farm property. Because of her passion and understanding of science and natural resource sustainability along with her application of Project Learning Tree, Monica M. Ousley is recognized as the 2021 Alabama Project Learning Tree Educator of the Year.
“I can’t explain how honored I am by this award,” shares Monica. “Receiving this award affirms that what matters so much to me matters. I truly think Project Learning Tree is one of the best resources available and that all teachers should know about it!”
The Alabama PLT Educator of the Year is selected based on commitment to environmental education, exemplary use of Project Learning Tree’s award-winning curriculum materials, and exceptional teaching skills. For more information about PLT in Alabama, contact Ashley Smith at asmith@alaforestry.org
Since 1970, the Alabama Forestry Foundation has helped thousands grow in their knowledge and appreciation for Alabama’s well-managed forests and their role in protecting Alabama’s environment, economy, and way of life. Forest businesses are important in Alabama, and many livelihoods depend on forestry. The PLT curriculum help others understand the connections of the forest products they use every day to the trees they see growing throughout Alabama.
About Project Learning Tree
Project Learning Tree® (PLT) uses trees and forests as windows on the world to increase students’ understanding of the environment. PLT provides educators with curriculum, professional development, and resources to integrate environmental education into lesson plans for all grades and subject areas, and to use the outdoors to engage students in learning about the world around them. Developed in 1976, PLT is an initiative of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. In Alabama, PLT is sponsored by the Alabama Forestry Foundation. For more information, visit www.alabamaforestryfoundation.org.
