John McClellan

2016-17 EcoRise Ambassador
Integrity Academy at Casa de Luz Center for Integral Studies in Austin, Texas
Hello beautiful humans! I teach just about everything, but my favorite classes are acroyoga, cooperative games, gardening, and nutrition. When I first started working with EcoRise, I immediately saw the value of bringing environmental awareness into the classrooms. Although I did not have the same eco-opportunities when I was growing up, issues of sustainability have always been close to my heart. That's why I'm passionately working to create conscious kids in everything that I do. I think it’s important to nurture kids' natural curiosity and love for nature. Just last year, my 12-year-old students and I launched a campaign to raise water awareness and were awarded $1000 in eco-audit grants for rainwater tanks on our campus. I'm excited to continue this important work as an EcoRise Teacher Ambassador.

Diana McMillan

2016-17 EcoRise Ambassador
Mathews Elementary in Austin, Texas
I grew up spending most my time outdoors and like to garden with children. I am part of the Green Team on my campus and I was just accepted into the Master Naturalists program. Last year, my campus accomplished the waste audit grant and we are currently working on the energy audit this school year. I am a proud member of CINCA, Monarch Heroes, and the Green Leadership Team for my district. I long for all children to reconnect with nature and spend more time outdoors. I am inspired by nature and have a strong desire to study photography, poetry and painting.

Tara McNerney

2016-17 EcoRise Ambassador
Mundo Verde Bilingual Public Charter School in Washington, D.C.
I am leading Mundo Verde - the capital's first "green" school - in the formation of our sustainability curriculum and programs. I received my Master's in Strategic Leadership Toward Sustainability at an international university in Sweden, and my B.A. in Environmental Studies at Dartmouth College.

Dr. Shannon W. McPherson

2016-17 EcoRise Ambassador
Cedar Park High School in Leander, Texas
I love to garden in a sustainable manner and plan to have a fully functional organic farm and aquaponics system in the next five years. I’ve been in education or taught secondary science since 1998 and love working with teenagers. I hold a BS in Human Biology and a Doctor of Chiropractic. My biggest accomplishment has simply been to make my eco-audit elective class a reality. I have two full classes of students involved in eco-audits and each day is definitely a challenge. This fall we were awarded an EcoRise microgrant to help us fund a garden shed with walls made of water bottles and unrecyclable trash. We will continue working on our green spaces, waste, and energy next semester. My inspiration is the laughter that tends to echo from my classroom. I see these kids working towards solutions and it makes me very happy!

Tabitha Yeager

2016-17 EcoRise Ambassador
Dighton-Rehoboth High School in Dighton, Massachusetts
Throughout my life I have embodied a deeply rooted passion for the environment and sustainability that takes shape both in my  21st century classroom and my passive solar home tucked away in the woods. Last year my students spearheaded an EcoRise mini-grant project that created an outdoor classroom, butterfly garden, raised produce beds, and a beautiful herb spiral. This year, my students have selected specific sustainability areas that peak their interest and they will be proposing and implementing a variety of projects to improve the school's green factor while increasing community engagement.