Nora McDevitt

Bio: Nora McDevitt is a science teacher at Volney Rogers Middle School in Youngstown, Ohio. Nora believes in the power of youth-led learning and works with the General Motors GREEN mentors at the Lordstown GM facility as well as mentors from Youngstown State University to provide environmental civics learning opportunities for her students. As evidence of her remarkable talent, Nora has won multiple awards throughout her tenure, including: The Ohio Gifted Teacher of the Year Award, the Ashland Oil Teaching Achievement Award, the Governor's Award for Youth Science Opportunities, and the Martha Holden Jennings Scholar Award.

Currently, her students are working with Earth Force on a four-year project to educate their fellow students about the wise use of resources and their school's namesake (Volney Rogers pioneered the development of Mill Creek Park in Youngstown). Students also participate in the GREEN water monitoring program, interacting with adult mentors from the Lordstown GM facility. On a recent project, they put rain barrels into a local garden to help mitigate storm-water drainage issues in Ax Run Creek, which runs behind the school to Mill Creek Park.

Master Skills: Youth Voice, Civic Engagement

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What is the focus of work that you do?

What educational methods do you see as the most beneficial for engaging youth in environmental learning?

What investments does a community or school need to make to best support educational programs such as the ones you help deliver?