When it comes to teaching children about the climate crisis, who is responsible? A network of K-12 Literacy and English Language Arts (L-ELA) teachers are taking the charge. Alexandra Panos, Ph.D., assistant professor of literacy studies and director of research for the Center for Climate Literacy at the USF College of Education was awarded a $50,000 , along with Co-PIs Michael Sherry, Ph.D., associate professor in English Education and Jarod Rosell贸, Ph.D., associate professor in Creative Writing. The grant will fund a study that will bring Florida-based L-ELA educators together over the course of one year to form a network that will meet virtually and in-person. Panos explained, 鈥淐limate change has historically been taught solely through STEM fields and remains a politically contentious issue, while its fallout is experienced inequitably in ways that exacerbate historical and present injustices. L-ELA teachers require supportive environments to develop capacity to bring climate change to their unique teaching contexts.鈥 The teachers will participate in creative and professional reading and composing, and inquiry-based climate education guided by their goals and teaching contexts. 鈥淲e are looking to identify and understand how teachers bring climate literacy to the classroom 鈥 how they understand the instructional narratives, navigate the challenges, and build capacity for their own climate justice literacies,鈥 said Panos. The first collaboration for teachers is scheduled for Fall 2024.
Visit Dr. Panos鈥 faculty profile to learn more about her work toward combatting climate change through literacy in K-12 education.