Climate Champions Summit Teachers

Learn about the teacher leaders who created Climate Champions curriculum.

Read their answers to the question: "Why do you think climate education is important?".

Land Warming

Middle School Curriculum

Tina Tom

Chula Vista Middle School

Sweetwater Union High School District

“We as educators must emphasize the human role in climate change and that our human caused problem can also be human solved with education and direct action. Everyone can do their part to combat this global issue.” 

Cindy Jenson-Elliot

Nativity Prep Academy

“Teaching about climate, like all teaching, is an act of hope and love and empowerment. I want kids to know the facts about our planet, I want to inspire them to love the Earth, and I want to empower them to change the world.”

Ocean Warming

High School Curriculum

Rosina Garcia

Wilson Middle School

San Diego Unified School District

“Teaching students the tools to analyze their environment will empower them to make meaningful contributions to their communities.”

Gina Woodwad

Hilltop High School

Sweetwater Union High School District

“Teaching students about climate change provides them with the knowledge, skills and motivation to empower them be agents of change and to meaningfully contribute to building a more sustainable society. Climate literate students can better understand the cause and effect complexities of climate change. Climate literate students can engage with their creativity and problem-solving skills to address human impacts and build resilience while addressing the underlying issues of climate equity and how climate change is disproportionately affect vulnerable populations.” 

Janis Jones

Surfside Educational Academy

Oceanside Unified School District

“It is essential to teach climate change because the students of today must develop the knowledge and skills needed to address the challenges that lay ahead. Learning about the causes of climate change will not only help young people understand the phenomenon, it will empower them to become change-makers in their own lives and in their communities, if they so choose. Most importantly, youth need to know that they can be a part of the solution, and that that as tomorrow’s leaders, their informed decisions and actions can and will make a difference.”

Bending the Curve of Global Warming

High School Curriculum

Sara Odioso

Nativity Prep Academy

” ‘We have the choice to use the gift of our life to make the world a better place – or not bother.’ – Jane Goodall 
 
As educators, we are able to help shape the learning for our students. We should create learning where students are engaged about the world around them, inspired to take action to make their communities a better place, and hopeful that they can have a positive impact on each other. We need to help the next generation view the issues that we are facing as problems that can be solved through ingenuity, knowledge, and working collaboratively. I want students to leave my classroom knowing that they can use their gifts to make the world a better place.” 

Mike Tritchler

Madison High School

San Diego Unified School District

“I have devoted much of my life to working on climate issues, from studying melting rates of glaciers in West Antarctica, to helping rural fishing and farming communities in Zanzibar adapt to climate change. Now I am back in my hometown of San Diego focusing my efforts on educating the next generation of climate activists to not only adapt to climate change, but to mitigate the effects. We have the tools, the knowledge, and the responsibility to take on this challenge for future generations.”

Adrienne Marriott

Bonita Vista High School

Sweetwater Union High School District

“Climate Change WILL affect the next generation.  Students need to understand the mechanism of climate change and understand that it is critical that mitigation must begin immediately if we hope to bend the curve of climate change.”  

Climate Change, Data Science, and Computing

Coming Soon!

Shirley Miranda

Morse High School

San Diego Unified School District

“Students must learn about climate change to thoughtfully, intelligently, and compassionately see themselves beyond the individual but as a part of a larger, global community and ecosystem. It also allows them to see how individual and collective knowledge and action can effect change. Climate change provides an education on the importance of science, data collection, and computing to guide action.  Historical and real-time data are available for students to collect, analyze and draw conclusions about to allow them to experience an authentic scientific experience.”

Aletia Trepte

Lincoln High School

San Diego Unified School District

“Teaching climate change is developing an awareness of local and global responsibility. Teaching climate change is growing empathy for the environment. Teaching climate change is learning about human rights. Teaching climate change unleashes critical thinking, creativity and compassion and will help our students to be informed and empowered mindful citizens so that they may thrive in the world!”