The MAEOE Robert Finton Outdoor Educator of the Year Award program will recognize an individual who demonstrates leadership and innovation in environmental and outdoor education. Bob Finton personified enthusiasm, innovation, and excellence in the field of environmental education, and this award will honor his memory by rewarding efforts to strive for these qualities. This is annual award and will be presented to the winner each year at the MAEOE Conference.

Criteria:

• Recognition should be given to an individual who is a non-formal practitioner of outdoor education and works “in the trenches” as Bob did.
• The nominee can be a representative, either paid on unpaid, of an outdoor education center, non-profit organization, service organization, resource agency, education-related business, or other organization whose mission is environmental education. (Classroom teachers should be considered for the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s Teacher of the Year Award.)
• The nominee should demonstrate innovation and excellence in environmental education programming. Examples could include:
  • A highly successful ground-breaking environmental education effort
  • Innovation in developing new interpretive or instructional methods
  • Development of a program that reaches new audiences or underserved populations
  • Work in a program that promotes or increases conservation practices
  • Programming that develops and supports a positive stewardship ethic

Download the application here. The completed application is due by December 20, 2007 to Martha Shaum per the instructions on the application.

The winner of the 2007 Robert Finton Outdoor Educator of the Year Award was Mary Hoy from the Carroll County Outdoor School (Hashawha). Mary received not one but two nominations for this award. She was recognized not only for her excellence and creativity in outdoor education, but also for her unquenchable enthusiasm and passion for teaching.

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