Missouri Environmental Education Association

Environmental Education Certification Application

Name : Email:

Address: Date:

The Application has three sections. The first asks you to document your most meaningful professional development activities. The second asks you to reflect on your core competencies. The third asks you to plan your EE goals and to describe how you think the certification program will help you accomplish them. Start by downloading this document and filling out a draft. When you are satisfied with your draft, you can type the answers into a new document in the spaces provided. If you need more room, use the last page. Be sure and label which section your additional notes belong with. You can print out and mail the application or submit it electronically.

mail: MEEA, P.O. Box 13, Columbia MO 65205 email:

Part I – Documenting Experience

Briefly list the ten most meaningful environmental education professional development activities in the last seven years up to the present in these areas: core EE competencies (see next section for what this means), organizational skills*, outdoor skills**, and maker skills***. These can include college level courses, professional development workshops, job or volunteer work experience, and professionally guided experiences.

course, workshop or experience / provider / skills acquired / year / hours

* organizational skills – organizing an event or group, keeping accounts, publishing, web editing, etc.

**outdoor skills – fishing, camping, bird watching, canoeing, etc.

***maker skills – gardening, sewing, carpentry, plumbing, writing code, etc.


Part IIa – Reflecting on Core Competencies (from NAAEE*)

Using Guidelines for the Preparation and Professional Development of Environmental Educators as a set of potential benchmarks, reflect on your competencies as an environmental educator. You can find a copy of the guidelines at: http://eelinked.naaee.net/n/guidelines/posts/Guidelines-for-the-Preparation-amp-Professional-Development-of-Environmental-Educators
Key: L…Lacking B…Basic P…Proficient D…Distinguished
Theme 1 - Environmental Literacy (4 guidelines) / L / B / P / D
1.  Questioning, analysis and interpretation skills
2.  Knowledge of environmental processes and systems
3.  Skills for understanding and addressing environmental issues
4.  Personal and civic responsibility
Theme 2 - Foundations of Environmental Education
1.  Fundamental characteristics and goals of environmental education
2.  How environmental education is implemented
3.  The evolution of the field
Theme 3 - Professional Responsibilities of the Environmental Educator
1.  Exemplary environmental education practice
2.  Emphasis on education, not advocacy
3.  Ongoing learning and professional development
Theme 4 - Planning and Implementing Environmental Education Programs / L / B / P / D
1.  Knowledge of Learners
2.  Knowledge of Instructional Methodologies
3.  Planning for Instruction
4.  Knowledge of environmental education materials and resources
5.  Technologies that assist learning
6.  Settings for instruction
7.  Curriculum planning
Theme 5 - Fostering Learning / L / B / P / D
1.  A climate for learning about and exploring the environment
2.  An inclusive and collaborative learning environment
3.  Flexible and responsive instruction
Theme 6 - Assessment and Evaluation / L / B / P / D
1.  Learner outcomes
2.  Assessment that is part of instruction
3.  Improving instruction
4.  Evaluating programs

Part IIb - Putting it All Together

Self Assessment Summary – Starting with Theme 1 on the first checklist, add up the total number of check marks for each of the four columns: Lacking, Basic, Proficient, and Distinguished. Enter the total number in the appropriate column of this chart.
Key: L…Lacking B…Basic P…Proficient D…Distinguished
L / B / D / P
Theme 1 – Environmental Literacy
Theme 2 – Foundations of Environmental Education
Theme 3 – Professional Responsibilities of the Environmental Educator
Theme 4 – Planning and Implementing Environmental Education Programs
Theme 5 – Fostering Learning
Theme 6 – Assessment and Evaluation

*North American Association for Environmental Education

Part III – Planning for Growth

Use Part I and Part II to help address the questions below

1. What would you like to be doing in the field of environmental education within the next five years?

2. What knowledge, understanding and skills or competencies are needed for that role?

3. With respect to your goals, what are your areas of strength?

4. With respect to your goals, what are your areas of weakness?

5. What specific actions can you take to address your weaknesses?

(these might include professional development workshops, volunteer activities, college courses, assuming new job responsibilities, apprenticeships to develop skills, adopting new hobbies or recreational activities, researching specific topics or issues, or completing a certificate in environmental education)

6. If you decide to work on a Missouri Environmental Education Certificate, how do you think it will help you accomplish your goals? Explain why you think it will be worth the time, effort and money to pursue the certificate, even if it is not required for a particular job or career path. This statement will be included in your website profile in the Application section.

Additional Notes