Teach4Future's Education for Sustainability (EfS) Academy was an intensive online teacher training program that took place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program spanned five days and was held virtually from October 5th to 9th. It commenced with online pre-workshops conducted in August and September. Teachers from various grades and subjects applied, each with a partner from their school or district. These teachers received an introduction to sustainability and environmental education through engaging online activities and presentations by experts and practitioners in the field. The program also featured virtual field trips to local schools, businesses, and other organizations, showcasing sustainability and environmental education initiatives. Despite the online format, teachers still had the opportunity to connect and become part of a dedicated community of sustainability educators, activists, and entrepreneurs.
The EfS Academy offered a unique online curriculum that allowed teachers to deepen their knowledge and develop the necessary skills and abilities to integrate education for sustainability and environmental education into their schools and teaching practices. Throughout the program, teachers explored various sustainability models through three online modules:
Understanding the issue, coming up with solutions.
Delivering a green and meaningful curriculum.
Implementing environmental education and sustainability projects.
Upon successful completion of the online training, teachers received small grants to fund pilot projects aimed at promoting sustainability in their schools and communities. They were also provided with a variety of online resources to engage their students in sustainability and environmental education activities. The ultimate goal was to empower students to become 'nature guardians' through the implementation of sustainability centers and purpose-driven, eco-conscious online curricula delivered by the teachers.