K-12 teachers, U of M, Delta College and Dow work together

In mid-June, Delta College welcomed K-12 teachers from the region who had joined the Dow Innovation Teacher Fellowship (DITF).

Organized by the University of Michigan School of Education, it is a partnership between the Dow Company Foundation, the University of Michigan and Delta College. 

The Dow Innovation Teacher Fellowship seeks to inspire and empower the next generation of sustainability innovators. The effort trains and supports teachers to design and enact place-based, sustainability-focused learning modules with their students. 

The University of Michigan professionals provide high-quality professional development, connections with community partners, and access to a network of sustainability education resources and ongoing professional supports. And, Delta College offers the use of its downtown centers as a gathering place.

“Establishing connections between teachers, potential community partners and our staff team is an integral part of the DITF program, and something our fellows have continually expressed appreciation for,” said Emily Schaller, DITF Coordinator, University of Michigan – School of Education. “Building a supportive network helps teachers gain momentum on their place-based sustainability projects, and helps the impact of our work continue in the community even after fellows complete their year with us.”

At the June gathering, two groups met and shared ideas. A new group of teachers began their year-long professional development and the 2021-22 team wrapped up their projects. The K-12 teachers are from Arenac, Bay, Gratiot, Isabella, Midland or Saginaw counties.

DITF involves K-12 teachers across content areas in designing and implementing a sustainability-focused unit for their classroom. They use project-based and place-based learning approaches. Teacher fellows are supported through professional development, connections of community partners, support from content experts, access to sustainability education resources and mini-grants. 

The program supports links between schools, classrooms and communities. And, it empowers youth to take action to address local sustainability issues. Through the University of Michigan’s program over the past three years, teachers have seen school-wide shifts in attitudes and behaviors around sustainability.

“The Dow Innovation Teacher Fellowship has been a fantastic opportunity for me to step out of my comfort zone in my teaching,” said Heidi Schlosser, music teacher at Western Middle School, 21-22 Fellow. “My subject area isn’t a typical one that would allow me to incorporate these types of lessons. It’s wonderful to have such a strong group of educators to help me plan the place-based and project-based lessons.” 

Since the program began in 2019, 63 teachers from 33 schools have participated.