Climate Education Leadership Team
ABOUT
By teachers, for teachers.
There is growing interest in climate education, across all subjects and grade levels. The Climate Education Leadership Team (CELT) is a group of over 30 teachers and school administrators leading the way on climate content and climate education in NYC Public Schools.
MISSION
Support NYC Public Schools to integrate full and equitable climate education across areas of study and school culture.
GOALS
Identify how climate education supports academic learning outcomes across subjects
Support citywide and Mayoral goals for climate action, as established in PlaNYC: Getting Sustainability Done (2023)
Establish a citywide network of peer advisors to mobilize staff and students in all school communities
Design and lead citywide climate-focused Professional Learning opportunities, with content created by teachers for teachers
DELIVERABLES
Develop and/or evaluate lessons, modules, and/or units related to climate change education
Identify opportunities for climate content in alignment with local and New York State Standards
Plan and implement professional learning for climate education
CURRENT MEMBERS
Co-Chairs:
Colby Zentner, High School of Economics and Finance - Climate Action Day Committee
Sean McFadden, Eagle Academy for Young Men II - Professional Learning
Jackie Davis, The Marie Curie School for Medicine, Nursing, and Health Professions - Outreach
Deborah Reich, World View High School - Climate Institute
NYCPS Staff:
Meredith McDermott, NYCPS Office of Energy & Sustainability - Director; CELT Facilitator
Thaddeus Copeland, NYCPS Office of Energy & Sustainability - Deputy Director; CELT Facilitator
Kailyn Fox, NYCPS Office of Energy & Sustainability - Education and Training Manager; CELT Facilitator
Keith Wynne, Community School District 14 - District Achievement and Instructional Specialist; CELT member
Click each heading below for the full list of 2023-24 members.
Elementary School
Phalguni Bhatt - P.S. 41 - Elementary, Science and Technology Teacher
Kerri Durante - School of Math, Science, and Healthy Living - Elementary - General Education Cluster Teacher Teacher
Melida Gonzalez - P.S. 132 - Elementary, General Education Teacher
Patricia Lombardo - P.S. 107Q - Elementary, Science Teacher
Shakira Provasoli - P.S. 333 Manhattan School for Children - Elementary - General Education Teacher
Shaina Ramos - P.S. 257 - Elementary, Bilingual Special Education Teacher
Jeanne Salchli - P.S. 376 - Cluster Teacher
Jonathan Schulman - P.S. 110 The Monitor - Debate Environmental Sustainability Elementary - Civics English Language Arts Social Studies / History Teacher
Middle/Junior High School
Victor Bonini - JHS 223 Montauk - Special Education Math Teacher
Carolina Castro - Comprehensive Model School Project - Earth Science Teacher
Stephen Kos - New Explorations into Science, Technology and Math - Science Special Education Teacher
High School
Bernadine Akuwe - Bronx Academy of Health Careers - Chemistry Teacher
Aaron Bell - Maspeth High School - AP Environmental Science, AP Biology, Aquatic Ecology Teacher
Kristin Boccafola - Central Park East High School - Science Teacher
James Booth - Queens High School for Language Studies - Living Environment, Environmental Science, and Health Teacher
Jerry Citron - Stuyvesant High School - Science Teacher
Lena Cosentino - CSI High School for International Studies - Science, Special Ed Teacher
Jackie Davis - The Marie Curie School for Medicine, Nursing, and Health Professions - Coordinator of Student Affairs
Jacqueline Grey - Baruch College Campus High School - Earth Science, AP Environmental Science, Forensics Teacher
Jazmin Jurado - P.S. Q177 - Special Education Teacher
Erin Laraway - P.S. K721 - Brooklyn Occupational Training Center - Special Education Teacher
Diana Lennon - Brooklyn Technical High School - Living Environment, Environmental Sustainability Teacher
Katie McCarthy - Sunset Park High School - Science Teacher
Sean McFadden - Eagle Academy for Young Men II - Science Teacher
Maria Pedri - Port Richmond High School - Chemistry Teacher
Deborah Reich - World View High School - Science Teacher
Shannon Reitcher - Manhattan Center for Science and Math - Earth Science Teacher
David Sczesnak - Fort Hamilton High School - Special Education; Earth Science Teacher
Laura Singleton - West End Secondary School - Earth Science Teacher
Theresa Stanley - Quest to Learn - Chemistry; Environmental Science Teacher
Duane Thakurdeen - Eagle Academy for Young Men II - Science Teacher
Lynn Tiede - Columbia Secondary School - Social Studies / History Teacher
Adam Zaid - Queens School of Inquiry, The - Climate, Personal Finance, Mathematics Teacher
Colby Zentner - High School of Economics and Finance - Second Language Teacher
CELT was created in partnership with Office of Energy & Sustainability and Office of Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Learning.
Thank you to the Department of Citywide Administrative Services-Division of Energy Management for their generous support of all school-based members of the Climate Education Leadership Team. These dedicated teachers have full-time commitments to students all across NYC, and funding supports additional time and further professionalization of climate education.
Need Help Incorporating Climate Education Into Your Classroom?
The Climate Education Leadership Team (CELT) wants to be a resource to help you integrate Climate Education into your lesson planning, resource development, community partnerships and hosting Climate Action Days.
