Celebrating Canada’s Sustainability Champions: The Susan Langley Earth Steward Teaching Award

Do you know a Canadian teacher who inspires passion for a more sustainable future?

Learning for a Sustainable Future (LSF) is once again shining a spotlight on educators who are making a significant impact in sustainability education. The Susan Langley Earth Steward Teaching Award recognizes teachers across Canada who integrate environmental stewardship into their classrooms, inspire action within their school communities, and weave Indigenous ways of knowing into their teaching practices. This national award, with a special Ontario prize sponsored by the Ontario Teachers’ Federation (OTF), offers a $1,000 prize to the winner, along with recognition for runners-up and honourable mentions.

Nomination Details

Educators can be nominated for their innovative approaches to sustainability education, including:

• Bringing sustainability to life through engaging classroom learning.
• Inspiring students and colleagues to lead change.
• Building strong school-community connections.
• Integrating Indigenous ways of knowing into their teaching.

Nominations are open until June 6, 2025, and educators can nominate themselves or be nominated by others.

Highlighting Past Winners

The 2024 award recipients exemplify the spirit of the Susan Langley Earth Steward Teaching Award:

• Jenna Forslund, a teacher at Elmwood High School in Winnipeg, MB, integrates sustainability principles into every aspect of her teaching by aligning her work with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She leads by example, demonstrating her commitment to sustainability every day through reducing waste, improving energy efficiency, and advocating for environmental stewardship.

• Katie Croft, a passionate and innovative teacher at Saint Anne Catholic Elementary School in Kitchener, ON, empowers her students to address real-world sustainability challenges through project-based learning. Her Grade 2 students tackle issues like reducing single-use plastics, composting, and improving recycling, all while engaging in hands-on experiences.

Connect with Engaged Learning‘s Latest Issue

This initiative aligns with themes explored in our last issue of Engaged Learning magazine, where we delved into innovative teaching methods and the integration of sustainability in education. The Susan Langley Earth Steward Teaching Award continues this conversation by recognizing educators who are leading the way in environmental education.

Submit a Nomination

To nominate an educator or to learn more about the award, visit the official nomination page!

Let’s celebrate and support the educators who are shaping a more sustainable future for our students and communities.