Teaching about Climate Change: Our Time Is Now
Tuesday, October 22nd, 2019, 8:00AM-3:00PM, Erie 1 BOCES, 355 Harlem, W. Seneca, NY
Breakout Session #1 Topics & Speakers:
All participants will have the opportunity to attend one breakout session from this section from 10:45-11:30AM.
Tuesday, October 22nd, 2019, 8:00AM-3:00PM, Erie 1 BOCES, 355 Harlem, W. Seneca, NY
Breakout Session #1 Topics & Speakers:
All participants will have the opportunity to attend one breakout session from this section from 10:45-11:30AM.
Exploring the Human Impacts of Climate Change in the Social Studies Classroom, Jessica Karnes
Since 2008 an average of 24 million people per year have been displaced by catastrophic natural disasters. In addition, millions more around the world have been forced to migrate due to war and scarcity of resources need to survive. This session will explore the role climate change has played in the conflicts, disasters and shifting geographic landscapes that have had and will continue to have far-reaching impacts on societies around the world, including the United States. In addition we will address the ways in which climate change disproportionately affects the most vulnerable populations in a community and what could be done to support those suffering most.
Since 2008 an average of 24 million people per year have been displaced by catastrophic natural disasters. In addition, millions more around the world have been forced to migrate due to war and scarcity of resources need to survive. This session will explore the role climate change has played in the conflicts, disasters and shifting geographic landscapes that have had and will continue to have far-reaching impacts on societies around the world, including the United States. In addition we will address the ways in which climate change disproportionately affects the most vulnerable populations in a community and what could be done to support those suffering most.

Jessica Karnes is the Coordinator of Staff Development, Curriculum and Instruction for K-12 Social Studies at Erie 1 BOCES where she supports Social Studies education for over 25 school districts in Western NY. Previously she was a history teacher and instructional coach for Social Studies for Buffalo Public Schools and the New York City Department of Education. Jessica also currently serves as a member of statewide Social Studies Staff/Curriculum Development Network, NYSED's Civic Engagement Task Force and was a member of the Stakeholder Committee for the development of the Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education Framework. She also serves on the advisory board for the Niagara Frontier Council for the Social Studies.
The Literature of Climate Change, Bernadette Pasek
This session will focus on high-quality, nonfiction literature for K – 12 students to assist in learning and teaching about climate change. Given the wide variety of misinformation and disinformation when it comes to climate change, it is essential that educators have accurate and unbiased resources for their students. It is equally important that that information is developmentally and intellectually accessible to students across a wide variety of grade levels and reading abilities.

After teaching English to K-9 students in Kochi, Japan for four years, Bernadette Pasek realized she loved teaching students at different age levels so she decided to become a school librarian. After finishing her Masters in Library and Information Sciences at Syracuse University she began her work at Transit Middle School in the Williamsville Central School District and is currently in her 8th year of teaching there. Bernadette loves the interdisciplinary nature of her work and believes it is essential when it comes to the topic of climate change.
Teaching about Climate Change in the High School Science Classroom, Kelli Grabowski and Adam Gollwitzer
Join New York State Master Teachers Kelli Grabowski of Hamburg HS and Adam Gollwitzer of Chautauqua Lake for their session that will share best practices for how to teach about Climate Change in the high school science classroom.
Join New York State Master Teachers Kelli Grabowski of Hamburg HS and Adam Gollwitzer of Chautauqua Lake for their session that will share best practices for how to teach about Climate Change in the high school science classroom.

Kelli Grabowski is a New York State Master Teacher who earned her Bachelor's degree in Geology from SUNY Geneseo and her Master's degree in Science Education from SUNY Brockport. She currently teaches Earth Science and Geography at Hamburg High School, where her goals with her students include fostering a true love for Earth and an understanding that all of its systems are connected. These objectives as well as a desire to involve youth in leading toward a more sustainable world have led Kelli to develop the WNY Youth Climate Action Summit - an event held each June where youth can collaborate around advocacy and enacting change. www.wnyyouthclimatesummit.org

Adam Gollwitzer is a New York State Master Teacher who has earned his BA in Geological Sciences and his MSEd in Science Education from SUNY at Buffalo (UB). A veteran educator, Adam currently works at Chautauqua Lake Central School District where he teaches Outdoor Field Science and Regents Earth Science, also serving as Science Olympiad Coach, Instructional Support Team Coordinator, and Professional Development Adviser. Engaging people at many levels to promote well-designed learning environments, Adam also belongs, and is active with, the National Science Teachers Association, New York State Outdoor Science Education Association, and the Council for Exceptional Children.
Teaching about Climate Change at the Middle School level, Carla Roetzer, Kristin Hughy, and Drew Beiter

Interested in teaching about climate change at the Middle School level but aren’t sure where to start? Join Kristin Hughey, Carla Roetzer, Andrew Beiter and several staff members and students from Springville Middle School who recently embarked on a project-based multidisciplinary climate change unit. Participants to this session will learn how to integrate their approach into their own buildings, as well as receive ready-to-use classroom resources that will empower your students and colleagues to lower their district’s carbon footprint.
Touring the Conference Climate Fair, Renee Sossong-Brady and Susan Cyruik
The Climate Fair will provide its participants with an opportunity to meet environmental organizations in Western New York who play a role in our region's conversation about climate change. These agencies will have information booths set up in Room B1 both throughout the day and during this breakout time period. This session was organized by Renee Sossong-Brady and Susan Cyruik, whose professional biographies are described below:
The Climate Fair will provide its participants with an opportunity to meet environmental organizations in Western New York who play a role in our region's conversation about climate change. These agencies will have information booths set up in Room B1 both throughout the day and during this breakout time period. This session was organized by Renee Sossong-Brady and Susan Cyruik, whose professional biographies are described below:

Susan Cyrulik excels as a Professional Development Coordinator for Erie 1 BOCES and is most noted for her drive to help teachers understand the New York State P-12 Science Learning Standards and STEM initiatives. She is in her seventh year with the organization.
Prior to working at Erie 1 BOCES, she enjoyed her career as a middle school teacher, locally at the Charter School for Applied Technologies and in Connecticut at Bedford Middle School. Susan is supported at home by a loving husband and three boys, who she strives to help understand the importance of caring for the planet. Susan is always accessible by email (scyrulik@e1b.org) and welcomes your questions, comments, and concerns.
Prior to working at Erie 1 BOCES, she enjoyed her career as a middle school teacher, locally at the Charter School for Applied Technologies and in Connecticut at Bedford Middle School. Susan is supported at home by a loving husband and three boys, who she strives to help understand the importance of caring for the planet. Susan is always accessible by email (scyrulik@e1b.org) and welcomes your questions, comments, and concerns.

Renee Sossong-Brady experienced a fulfilling career in Tonawanda City Schools as an elementary educator and STEM Coach for 18 years before joining the Erie 1 BOCES CSLO/ Model Schools and Instructional Resources team at Erie 1 BOCES as a Professional Development Coordinator. She is actively involved in NYSCATE and has been selected to be trained and work to acquire certification as a trainer in the ISTE Standards. Renee is supported by two children, a daughter 18 and a son, 21 who also share her passion regarding climate change. On a personal note, Renee is extremely proud of her two Ironman finishes. She welcomes your questions and is reachable via email; rsossong-brady@e1b.org.
Designed by educators, for educators, this event is expected to sell out.
Click below to learn more. What you do matters, and our time, is now.
Click below to learn more. What you do matters, and our time, is now.