Stephanie Dege Goebel

POSEN – Stephanie Dege Goebel, a science teacher at Posen Consolidated High School, has been named one of only seven teachers nationwide to receive the Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators (PIAEE).

Administered by the White House Council on Environmental Quality in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the award honors K-12 teachers who employ transformative, “place-based” approaches to environmental education.

Goebel is recognized for moving learning off the page and into the community. By getting her students’ “hands in the dirt and feet in the water,” she fosters not only a love of learning, but also a lifetime of stewardship. A teacher for 22 years, Goebel has long incorporated place-based stewardship education (PBSE) into her classroom.

“In my experience, it is the ultimate way to connect students to their environment and help them become active participants in their community,” Goebel recently shared. “Place-based, stewardship- focused education gives students a way to connect their learning to real-world issues impacting their lives.”

After moving to northeast Michigan eight years ago from a previous teaching career in Indiana, Goebel quickly connected with the Northeast Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative (NEMIGLSI). The organization promotes PBSE and supports educators through classroom tools, lesson plans, professional learning opportunities, funding avenues, and connections to dozens of community partners that help bring classroom projects to the next level. Now a member of the NEMIGLSI Leadership Team, Goebel serves as a guiding voice for the network and mentors teachers implementing PBSE curriculum.

Currently, Goebel’s high school students are in the third year of a comprehensive Great Lakes marine debris project. Through the initiative, students research microplastic production, identify litter pathways within watersheds, and conduct shoreline cleanups to mitigate pollution. This hands-on model empowers students to take ownership of long-term environmental outcomes.

In addition to national recognition, the award provides significant financial support to further environmental stewardship efforts in Posen. Goebel will receive up to $2,500 to support her ongoing professional development. Furthermore, Posen Consolidated High School will receive a matching award of up to $2,500 to fund environmental education activities and programs that align with Goebel’s existing work.