Youth the Force

Contrisciane: I am a program coordinator with Earth Force, a national organization that aims to engage young people as environmental citizens.

Some of our students have done amazing projects because they feel so empowered. We've had a fourth-grade class convince their school board to install a pervious blacktop when they were repaving the parking lot; other classes have lobbied their townships to clean waterways and repair sewer drains; one school created an urban tree farm on a vacant lot. It's amazing what can be done once we let the students be in charge.

Contrisciane: When there are three program staff working with more than 50 teachers, there is always a major project. Right now, we're gearing up for our annual Youth Summit that will be held at the Philadelphia Zoo on April 19 and 20. The Youth Summit is a gathering of 600 Earth Force students and educators to showcase the projects on which they've been working.

Contrisciane: Most days, my job dictates that I drive. There is a lot of running between schools, and back and forth to the office and other events.

Contrisciane: I studied special education in college, and I took a lot of earth science electives along the way. After school, I volunteered with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps in Bridgeport, Conn., where I worked on youth development and learned a lot about environmental-justice issues. Then I moved to Arizona to work at Anasazi, a wilderness therapy organization, which was a fantastic experience. It was amazing to see how "troubled teens" reacted to being out in the wilderness for six weeks. It inspired me to try my hand at teaching, which is definitely one of the toughest jobs out there.

As a teacher, I really wanted to make learning an authentic and moving experience for my students, and I wanted to use nature as a vehicle to do that. It was really hard to do, especially in an urban setting where more and more energy is focused on raising standardized test scores and administrators come down hard on teachers who deviate from the curriculum. I learned about Earth Force just before I was completely burned out. Now it's my job to be a resource and support for teachers who want to engage their students in environmental problem-solving, and that is really exciting.

Contrisciane: I was born in the suburbs of Philadelphia. After some stops in Connecticut and Arizona, I'm back in the City of Brotherly Love and loving it.

Contrisciane: When I was beaten up by two of my students while I was teaching. But that wasn't a wholly negative experience. They managed to knock enough sense into me to make me realize that there were better options for me outside of the classroom.

Contrisciane: One of the best happened recently at an alternative school where many of the students have dabbled a bit in the juvenile-justice system. The high-school class with which I work decided to implement a schoolwide paper-recycling program. The administration had a lot of questions about how it would work, so the students did a presentation on their plans for the entire staff. The presentation went so well that the students received 100 percent support from the staff and administration. When it was over, the students were exuberant because they knew they nailed it. Then one of them looked at me and said, "You know, that's the first time I ever did public speaking outside of court!" Now their recycling program is in full swing. It's a great feeling that we can offer these types of positive experiences for young people.

Contrisciane: Recently it's been the politics of recycling in Philadelphia. Our recycling participation rate hovers around 6 percent, but a recent incentive-based pilot program from Recycle Bank has raised the participation rate to 95 percent in two neighborhoods. It's saving the city money, and the residents love it. Yet the city almost cut the program! A number of neighborhoods and organizations are starting to rally for the program, so we'll see what a little organizing can do.

Contrisciane: Dr. Rajul Pandya, a former teacher (of course!). I took his atmospheric science class in college, and it really changed how I looked at human impacts on the atmosphere and the environment.

Contrisciane: I drive way more than I like to admit to.

Contrisciane: Rock climbing! (Especially when it's for a good cause ...) I'm also involved with a lot of neighborhood organizing with East Falls Tree Tenders and Recycle Now Philadelphia. My current read is The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver.

Contrisciane: Samosas and squash or lentil soup with a nice Belgian beer, followed by a gigantic, chewy chocolate chip cookie.

Contrisciane: Right now, Wissahickon Park, part of Philadelphia's Fairmount Park system, is very near and dear to my heart (and to my front door). There is great hiking along the Wissahickon Creek, and even some rock climbing too.

Contrisciane: Everyone should take some sort of environmental education class every five years, even if it's just learning about the local watershed or a park's ecosystem. As I've watched my students, they seem to want to take more responsibility with the more they learn about their surroundings.

Contrisciane: When I was 18, Radiohead, Tori Amos, Violent Femmes, Cat Stevens. Radiohead has remained at the top, but recently I've enjoyed listening to local bands like Slo Mo, The Curb, and Birdie Bush.

Contrisciane: I am a diehard MacGyver fan, but now I stick to ER and Grey's Anatomy. There are too many movies to name.

Contrisciane: Tracey Ullman.

Contrisciane: I would definitely encourage everyone to get involved with at least one community club or organization. It's a great way to build community and meet people, and there's always something fun and exciting happening.