Sprint and Samsung Mobile sponsorship enables GEF to provide all NAESP 2011 annual conference attendees with free access to new Sustainability Education course
March 22, 2011 — Green Education Foundation (GEF) today announced the launch of its new K12 “Sustainability Education Teaching Methods” professional development course, to be first made available during the National Association of Elementary School Principles (NAESP) 2011 annual convention and exposition in Tampa, FL, April 7-10, 2011. GEF will offer the course to each of the 1,000-plus NAESP conference attendees for free thanks to a $500,000 grant from Sprint Nextel (NYSE: S) and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile).“The commitment to sustainability shown by both Sprint and Samsung Mobile is impressive,” commented Victoria Waters, GEF president and CEO. “We could not have asked for more ideal partners to support our journey to build a nation of teachers that will help educate the next generation about environmental sustainability.”
GEF’s ten hour online “Sustainability Education Teaching Methods” course will emphasize the core themes of sustainability education and showcase its role as a solutions-based teaching platform. GEF defines “Sustainability Education” (SE) as an integrative teaching model that connects student knowledge of environmental, economic and social systems with real-world applied learning strategies. At its core, SE develops the knowledge, skills and intellectual habits essential for academic excellence and innovation, global citizenship and ecological literacy in the twenty-first century and beyond.
“Adoption of sustainability education is increasing at schools nationwide,” said Gail Connelly, NAESP Executive Director. “NAESP is pleased to work with the Green Education Foundation and its partners, especially Sprint and Samsung, to provide members with the resources and information they need to understand and incorporate sustainability education into classrooms across the country.”
Each principal that attends NAESP’s 2011 annual conference and receives GEF’s new Sustainability Education Teaching Methods course will have the option to designate a “green” teacher at their school to receive the free course. GEF will also make available a “Teach the Teacher” training kit for the designated teacher to utilize in instructing the rest of the school’s educators.
“Our ultimate goal is to help inspire our nation’s teachers to in turn educate their peers on how to infuse sustainability into their existing core disciplines,” continued Waters. “Together with NAESP, we will begin to “green” our nation’s schools, one teacher at a time.”
Sprint is committed to building excellence in education by creating and supporting programs that increase and improve student achievement, family involvement and educator development. In 2010, Sprint, through its philanthropic arm, the Sprint Foundation, contributed more than $1.1 million to education programs.
At Sprint, environmental sustainability and corporate responsibility are part of a long-term, strategic approach in which business opportunities operate in sync with social, economic and environmental responsibilities. Sprint’s leadership in environmental sustainability and corporate responsibility continues to receive recognition. For the second year in a row, Sprint ranked highest among all U.S. telecom companies on Newsweek’s 2010 Rankings of America’s Greenest Companies at No. 6, up from No. 15 in 2009. Sprint was also ranked highest among the wireless carrier industry on the Carbon Disclosure Project’s “Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index.” In addition, Sprint recently received Frost & Sullivan’s 2010 North American Green Excellence of the Year Award in Mobile & Wireless for its demonstrated leadership and commitment to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, proactive approach to the deployment of renewable energy and aggressive cell-phone recycling efforts.
Sprint debuted Samsung Reclaim™ in 2009 making it easier than ever for customers to “go green” with their wireless experience. Samsung Reclaim was the first phone in the U.S. constructed partially from eco-friendly bio-plastic materials*. Sprint currently also offers Samsung Restore™, the latest eco-friendly* phone made up of 84% recycled materials.
Samsung takes pride in its long-standing commitment to the environment. The Samsung Mobile Take Back program allows consumers to send in their cell phones, free of charge, to be properly disposed of. Samsung Mobile supports Samsung’s overall Eco-Management 2013 Plan announced in July 2009. The plan details a comprehensive set of sustainability goals to be achieved by Samsung in 2013, which include the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from manufacturing and product, the development of eco-friendly* product, financial investment in eco-management* initiatives, and enhanced green* partnerships with suppliers and partners.
GEF boasts extensive online curriculum featuring hands-on sustainability education lessons and activities. GEF members can access the curriculum free of charge. To learn more about the NAESP and to register for its annual conference visit www.naesp.org
To learn more about Sprint programs that protect the environment, go to www.sprint.com/responsibility or follow @SprintGreenNews on Twitter.
*Note: The terms “eco-friendly”, “Green”, and “environmentally sound” refer to the product, packaging and recycling initiatives as described in this release and applicable product documentation, websites, and other referenced programs.
About Green Education Foundation (GEF)
Green Education Foundation (GEF), a non-profit organization, is committed to creating a sustainable future through education. GEF provides curriculum and resources to K-12 students and teachers worldwide with the goal of challenging youth to think holistically and critically about global environmental concerns and solutions. Visit www.greeneducationfoundation.org to learn more. GEF’s National Green Week mobilizes millions of students each year to participate in eco-challenges that empower school communities to achieve measurable and sustainable goals in waste reduction and energy conservation. For more information visit: www.greeneducationfoundation.org Become a GEF fan on Facebook! Follow GEF on Twitter!
About Sprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel served more than 48.8 million customers at the end of the third quarter of 2010 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; offering industry-leading mobile data services, leading prepaid brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, Common Cents Mobile and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. Newsweek ranked Sprint No. 6 in its 2010 Green Rankings, listing it as one of the nation’s greenest companies, the highest of any telecommunications company. You can learn more and visit Sprint at www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.
About Samsung Telecommunications America
Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.
About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2009 consolidated sales of (US) $116.7 billion. Employing approximately 157,700 people in 185 offices across 65 countries, the company consists of seven independently operated business units: Visual Display, Mobile Communications, Telecommunication Systems, Digital Appliances, IT Solutions, Semiconductor and LCD. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT- LCDs. For more information, please visit http://www.samsung.com.