October 22, 2008
Tonda Farrier, Mantee, is the Teacher’s Conservation Workshop (TCW) Alumnus of the Year. The award was present by Mississippi Forestry Association (MFA) to recognize an educator who best exemplifies the use of teaching methods and techniques learned at MFA’s Teachers Conservation Workshop.
Each summer MFA sponsors Teachers’ Conservation Workshop. This workshop for educators emphasizes the importance of conservation of natural resources, with special attention given to Mississippi’s forests and forest products. The latest information in conservation education is presented at the workshop using indoor and outdoor facilities. Participants learn by demonstration and practical exercise how current conservation practices can be integrated into classroom teaching and student projects.
Farrier was selected based upon the application of TCW experiences in her classroom. “I have implemented many of the TCW activities into my teaching since first attending the workshop in 1992. I have always taught self-contained classes, therefore I could incorporate conservation education into language Arts, art, social studies, and science. In addition, I’ve invited several visitors to speak to my classes on a wide variety of conservation topics. We’ve planted trees, completed leaf collections, studied endangered animals, written letters to local officials and been involved in recycling among other projects
Farrier was presented with a plaque and a check for $500.00 among other gifts during the President’s Banquet October 16, 2008 in Choctaw, as a part of MFA’s Annual Meeting. The MFA Annual Meeting is the largest gathering of the forestry community in the state drawing around 600 attendees to the meeting. Especially impressive this year, is the fact that Tonda continues to conduct conservation education on a voluntary basis during her leave of absence this year due to her mother’s illness.