Webster University’s School of Education Presents Well known Author and Educator David Sobel in a Talk – “Global Climate Change Meets Ecophobia”

Well known author and educator David Sobel will deliver a keynote speech, “Global Climate Change Meets Ecophobia,” at Webster University on Saturday, April 18, at 7:15 p.m. in the Sunnen Lounge, University Center, 175 Edgar Road. Sobel is known for his books on Place-based Education, a concept likely to be part of school reform in the near future. Place-based education promotes learning rooted in what is local–the unique history, environment, culture, economy, literature and art of a particular place.

Sobel comes to Webster University to celebrate the School of Education’s new initiative–Education for Global Sustainability–an emphasis and certificate in the MAT program. There is no other program like this available for educators in the St Louis region. For more information about the event or Webster’s new program, call 246-8054.

While in St. Louis, Sobel will lead workshops at The College School, St. Michael's School, the Missouri Botanical Garden and the St. Louis Zoo–all organizations committed to sustainability issues.

President Obama has pledged that sustainable initiatives will be at the forefront of his presidency. His energy plan is to put $150 million into clean technology over a decade– an initiative that would create five million jobs. Yet there are less than a dozen professional education schools in the U.S. that prepare students for a sustainable future. Today’s teachers of will need to prepare future generations by teaching sustainability behaviors–the relationship between communities, the economy and the environment.

Webster’s Education for Global Sustainability program will help teachers to:

             • Prepare to take leadership roles for sharing sustainability practices with their professional communities

             • Understand how a restored environment will open new economic and social opportunities

             • Discover the relationships between environmental, economic and social justice issues

David T. Sobel, is currently director of Project CO-SEED (Community-based School Environmental Education). This project creates partnerships between communities, school districts, and environmental organizations in an effort to collaboratively improve schools and support community development.

His published books include “Place-based Education: Connecting Classrooms and Communities” and “Childhood and Nature: Design Principles for Educators.” Sobel was the winner of a 1991 Education Press Award. In 2007, he was identified as one of the Daring Dozen educators in the United States by Edutopia magazine.