In the most recent issue of the St. Johns Riverkeeper digital newsletter, they announced Suzette Gagnon – a teacher at Christ the King Catholic School – as the 2015 Educator of the Year.
Ms. Gagnon was recognized for her efforts to educate students about the St. Johns River. Under the leadership of Gagnon, students have been studying water quality, wildlife, and erosion on Strawberry Creek for more than three years.
Her classes have also led efforts to clean up the creek during the annual St. Johns River Celebration. Through the Strawberry Creek study, Christ the King Catholic School has demonstrated how a group of dedicated students and their teacher can encourage environmental awareness among their peers and help facilitate positive change in their community.
The St. Johns Riverkeeper is a non-profit organization whose mission is to work on behalf of the community for clean and healthy waters in the St. Johns River, its tributaries and its wetlands, through citizen-based advocacy.