An Evaluation of the Wolf Ridge Student Teacher Program: Past Participants' Perspectives

Abstract

The Wolf Ridge Student Teacher Program (WRSTP) has been in existence since 2004, yet no evaluation has been conducted regarding the potential impacts on participants who have completed the program. Through interviewing eight past participants with experience teaching within the formal classroom, this evaluative study investigated the influence of the WRSTP on instructional methods utilized and the inclusion of several aspects of environmental education into their formal environments. The common and relevant themes that emerged included: participants utilizing aspects of environmental education in terms of experiential and social learning; school culture significantly influencing how teachers utilized program components; and a shifting outlook on formal and non-formal education after program completion. Overall, the WRSTP has been effective in terms of offering guidance in instructional methods used to teach aspects of environmental education in the formal setting. Recommendations for the WRSTP were provided, and areas for future research were noted.