Non-Formal Educator of the Year!
Our very own Apryl Corey has been named E3 Washington’s Non-Formal Educator of the Year!
Apryl was selected from a pool of fifteen nominees—and was the only nominee to receive multiple submissions recognizing her passion, creativity, and profound impact as an educator. As the Community Science Education Coordinator, Apryl wears many hats at Columbia Springs. She leads weekly field trips, coordinates our monthly Nature Days and Guided Tours, and supports the Salmon in the Classroom program. She is truly an essential part of the Columbia Springs team.
One nominator shared that Apryl “reaches the community in such a tender and compassionate way, allowing everyone to flourish and try out new ways of interacting with their environment while on her guided programs.”
Another wrote, “Apryl truly embodies what it means to be an impactful non-formal educator.” In describing her work on Nature Days, they added, “She and her team always work hard to make these events unique, seasonally appropriate, culturally relevant, and accessible to a wide range of people. From the youngest community members to retired experts who enjoy visits to Columbia Springs, Apryl is considerate of everyone. She thinks creatively and thoughtfully to ensure all visitors to Columbia Springs are cared for and welcome.”
As a field trip leader, Apryl is known for her “unwavering positivity” and her remarkable ability to “get even the most reserved student exploring the site with curiosity and wonder.”
The nominator summed it up beautifully: “She is a pillar of consistency on the Columbia Springs team and is always working to better herself and her peers.”
E3 Washington brought back these annual awards last year when they returned to in-person conferences. This year’s conference – Rooted in Connection & Community – gave outdoor, environmental, and sustainability educators a chance to meet, share experiences, and engagement tools. Many of the Columbia Springs staff attended the conference and returned filled with excitement and new ideas. Attending these conferences and bringing back new teaching methods and strategies is just one of the many ways that Apryl (and our team) strives to give our community unique and meaningful nature experiences.
We are incredibly grateful to have Apryl as part of our team, and so proud of her accomplishments! Please join us in congratulating Apryl on this well-deserved and inspiring achievement!
E3 Washington (E3 WA) is the state affiliate of the North American Association of Environmental Education (NAAEE). E3 WA is a professional association for educators supporting the three pillars of environment, equity, and economy. We work in partnership with communities to advocate, offer professional learning, networking, and other support. This increases the capacity for environmental and sustainability education (ESE) in the state.