Vancouver Education Association

VEA member proposes plan for school of innovation to the district.

In this, the new decade of the 21^st century, we need schools of innovation where students are actively engaged in relevant learning and in building strong community partnerships.

VEA member, Richard Stever, has submitted a proposal to the Vancouver School District for a magnet middle school called The Institute for Technology & Environmental Literacy (ITEL).

The ITEL curriculum would rigorously integrate technology with multiple core subjects in an exciting hands-on/minds-on approach.  Lessons related to Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, and Environmental Literacy (REEEEL!) would empower students and benefit the community.  Carefully implemented, Environmental Literacy would become the hub of an integrated curricular wheel that would nurture not only the traditional 3-Rs, but would enhance critical thinking, authentic engagement, problem solving, practical application of theory, and stewardship of the earth.

ITEL has the potential to hook students into math and science, improve the district’s science and math scores, reduce dropout rates, and prepare students for the inevitable green economy.  Staff, students, parents, and the community would work together toward a more sustainable society.

To achieve this goal, Stever is looking for VEA members to join him in creating the Association of Educators for Environmental Literacy (AEEL).  Together, they will demonstrate VEA’s commitment to high standards and innovation in education.  They will let the district hear their voice and move forward on projects like ITEL to make a REEEEL difference.

Contact Stever at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .