| On a cool and sunny November day in Northeastern Pennsylvania, a group of over nearly 100 third grade students from Middle Smithfield Elementary visited the Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) for a day of fun-filled and hands-on environmental education. It was an event coordinated by numerous groups, and one that delighted students and educators alike. |  |
Immersed in the wild and plant life that distinguishes the Delaware Water Gap area as a National Park, the students enjoyed learning about the exciting science that fills their own backyards. From the basics of bird watching to the importance of the water cycle, the students’ fact-packed field trip was a joy for children, teachers, and rangers alike.
Students from Middle Smithfield Elementary at PEEC.
Within moments of arriving at PEEC, the third grade students explored the exhibits with uninhibited delight, darting from one wildlife display to the next with unbridled enthusiasm. One display demonstrating the water cycle proved particularly captivating.
Outside, the students hiked down light trails, pausing often to listen as their ranger guides explained various aspects of the local ecosystem, and how it ties into the global biosphere. They learned about wildlife, pollution, and the carbon cycle, absorbing the information as greedily as a drought-scorched plain might absorb the rain. They came well-equipped, many answering the rangers' questions enthusiastically with lessons learned in class. It was a day in the park in more ways than one.
The field trip was one of many to come and was prompted by Tim O’Donnell, the 2015 MST Person of the Year finalist and member of the Kiwanis Club, who found out about Follis’ accolades. “When I first heard about how Laura won the Teacher of the Year Award, I just had to come meet her.” So he did just that, and set about coordinating the efforts of Middle Smithfield Elementary and the dedicated rangers at PEEC.
The result was a fantastic partnership between dedicated educators.
The care and pride that Laura Follis takes in leading her pupils was evident at a glance. From the resounding shouts of “FOLLIS!” whenever a stranger mispronounced her name to the tremendous respect evident in the most mischievous students, Follis’ mentorship was clear.
In the same way, the park rangers from PEEC showed a similar dedication and seemed to enjoy sharing environmental lessons as much as the students enjoyed participating.
In the same way, the park rangers from PEEC showed a similar dedication and seemed to enjoy sharing environmental lessons as much as the students enjoyed participating.
Events like this prove the impact that a coordinated and dedicated community can have on young minds. Follis recalled one student who had recently returned years after her graduation applaud Laura’s dedication, sharing that Follis was the reason she made it through high school at all. For her part, Follis described the encounter as “unforgettable.”
--Photography and Essay by Steven Natiello
Learn more about the organizations featured in this photo essay:
- Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC)
- Kiwanis Club of the Poconos ~ Daybreak
- Middle Smithfield Elementary, part of East Stroudsburg Area School District.
- Middle Smithfield Township, the “Gateway to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area”
- Middle Smithfield Township Person of the Year
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