The Monarch Teacher's Network-How I became involved

 On February 19th, I will be leaving on a very special trip with a group of teachers from the US and Canada. (30 of us in all) A few years ago, I became a member of the Monarch Teacher Network.  Cathy Griffin, who is a former MH teacher, was the person who first introduced our school to this network of teachers.  Some of us at the Maurice Hawk School have taken the summer course “Teaching and Learning with Monarch Butterflies in the Classroom.”   The course if offered by the Monarch Teacher Network three times each summer in NJ.  Cathy Griffin is one of the lead teachers that helps  teach the course all over the USA and Canada.   Two summers ago I assisted Cathy in teaching the course in NJ.  I am looking forward to becoming more involved once again this summer. 

The course is offered to anyone interested in learning how to incorporate the Monarch Butterfly into their program.  Some of the schools in the network have the entire school involved in the process throughout the year. There are many lessons to share on different levels that concern the Monarch Butterfly and its annual migration to and from Mexico.  It is not about teaching that the butterfly is an insect, but a much deeper understanding about the life cycle of the Monarch, its migration,  and how/why it is at risk today through habitat loss and destruction, how people from all over work together to preserve and learn about the Monarch Butterfly.   “Teaching and Learning with Monarch Butterflies” is not a thematic science unit, it is an integrated study of North American geography, the cultures of Canada, the US and Mexico, the languages of those countries; with activities in math, social studies, science, reading, and writing.

So.....how did I get to go on this trip to CA and why?  Once you take the summer course, you are then allowed to apply and sign up for many other professional opportunities.  One very important and impressive opportunity is the annual trip to Mexico to visit the sanctuaries where the Monarch Butterfly overwinters.  (Did you know that the Monarch Butterfly is the only butterfly in North America to migrate for the winter? )  This trip includes the history of Mexico as well as visits to several schools in the villages.  I applied for a fellowship with the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation for this trip.  With the approval of my principal Denise Mengani and Dr. Kniewel, my application was sent for consideration.  I heard back in Oct. that I was one of the lucky teachers to be awarded a fellowship to go on the trip.  So how did I end up with a ticket  to CA instead of Mexico?  After much consideration, due to the violence in Mexico, the trip had to be changed....so the next best place was CA. All of the Monarchs west of the Rockies can’t make it over the mountains, so they go to CA instead for the winter. Soooooo.... I will be traveling to CA to visit several butterfly sanctuaries along with a variety of other environmental excursions designed for teachers.

I fly back on the 26th.  Once back, I will  share  my experiences with my staff and students.   I will also distribute the information on the summer 2 day course for anyone interested once that info is available.  More info can be found.... If you google Monarch Teacher Network, it will  come up easily.

Soooo..... That is it.... Just wanted share my excitement..... Lisa