The Milken Family Foundation announced its annual educator awards today, and Vermont's winner was Tom Sabo, who teaches biology and environmental studies at Montpelier High School. If you follow the link you'll see pictures of the greenhouse and gardens that Tom has been responsible for. Both of my kids knew him in school, and this is a great recognition, well deserved.

Tom Sabo

Teacher
2009

Montpelier High School
Montpelier, VT
Subject(s) Taught: Biology/Life Science
Grade(s): 9-12

At the time of the Award, Tom Sabo was:

Teacher
Montpelier High School
Montpelier, VT
Subject(s) Taught: Biology/Life Science
Grade(s): 9-12

Biographical Information:

Tom Sabo teaches a very popular AP Biology class at Montpelier High School in Montpelier, VT, taken by 10 to 20 percent of the student body each semester. Rather than studying photosynthesis only through textbooks, Sabo takes students into the school's organic garden to witness it in nature. The garden is also the brainchild of Sabo and his commitment to sustainability and healthy living. Both Sabo's biology class and his class titled, Sustainable Growing, study the environmental impacts of our current lifestyles on biology and ecosystems. These classes have touched so many students at Montpelier High, they have bonded together to purchase rainforest land to offset their environmental impact. Sabo has inspired students personally as well as professionally. This past year 23 percent of seniors said that they now want to pursue careers in science. Sabo and students also put their studies to practical use for the benefit of the community. Sabo enlists about one-hundred students each semester to tend to the school's organic garden where they grow vegetables and fruits. Sabo also worked with the school to build a greenhouse that is funded by student outreach projects. The food grown in the garden is used for Sabo's lesson plans and as hearty meals in the school cafeteria. As the garden has grown, so has the students' appreciation for locally grown fresh vegetables. Students' families have reported that this has dramatically changed the eating habits of their children. And as if these eco-friendly educational practices weren't enough, Sabo also managed to raise enough money to purchase solar panels for the school as well. Sabo recently received the Governor's Award for commitment to creating a hunger-free Vermont, a much-deserved recognition.

We don't have any photos or video yet, but I can say that in the WPTZ story Tom was shown teaching his students from Deep Economy by GMD regular Bill McKibben. Being an environmentalist comes pretty naturally to high school students, especially someplace like Montpelier. Still, I think it's great that he's not only teaching the conceptual underpinnings of modern environmentalism, but also the hands-on work of composting and gardening.