The Global, Environmental & Outdoor Education Council (GEOEC) is an interdisciplinary specialist council of the Alberta Teachers’ Association. Our mission is to provide resources and venues for dialogue and networking, as well as to promote quality professional development for Alberta teachers in the areas of global, environmental and outdoor education. Members receive current news items, teaching ideas, information about our workshop series, and food for thought through our quarterly journal Connections. We are also active on Facebook and Twitter, with up-to-date information on PD opportunities and initiatives in Alberta.
Our Focus Areas
Outdoor Education
Outdoor education is adventure education incorporating outdoor learning, outdoor school, adventure therapy, adventure recreation, adventure tourism, expeditionary learning, challenge education, experiential education, environmental education, forest schools and wilderness education. |
Global Education
Global education is teaching and learning with a global perspective. It is active and experiential in nature, engaging the learner where he or she is, helping the student to develop tools which will aid her or him in understanding where she/he is and why. |
Environmental Education
Environment education encompasses characteristics of interdisciplinary integration of subject matter; collaborative instruction; emphasis on problem solving and projects; combinations of independent and cooperative learning; and learner-centered and constructivist approaches. |
Executive Duties
Global Environmental and Outdoor Education Council
Executive Duties and Responsibilities - September, 2016
Duties and Responsibilities of Table Officers. All positions except Past President and President are open for election annually.
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PAST PRESIDENT
Act as advisor to the president and the Executive Board in general. Ensure that the Executive operate in accordance with the constitution. Act as keeper of the historical records as the council historian. Solicit nominations from membership for each of the Table Officer positions. Coordinate the GEOEC’s recognition of individuals and organizations, and solicit recommendations and nominations for awards at least two months prior to AGM. Report annually and maintain a registry of awards presented by the GEOEC. PRESIDENT Maintain liaison with ATA personnel, PEC representative and staff officer assigned to the GEOEC. Call, set agenda for and chair all meetings of the Table Officers and Executive Board. Arrange for the old and new Executive Board to meet near the end of term of office to pass on information and receive files. Submit an annual written report about GEOEC activities to the ATA Attend annual Seminar for Presidents of Specialist Councils. Submit written reports at Executive meetings as required. Keep Executive informed of developments. PRESIDENT ELECT Assist the president as required, and act in the absence of the president. Maintain liaison with committee chairs and report to Table Officers. SECRETARY Take minutes of all Table Officer and Executive Board meetings. Send minutes, and action plans to Executive, ATA Staff Advisor, PEC representative and GEOEC Community Liaisons. Have copies of previous year’s AGM minutes available at the current AGM. Handle correspondence and communication, in conjunction with President. TREASURER Take charge of all money received and/or collected by the Council, and disburse funds as authorized by the Table Officers. Keep accurate record of the financial affairs of the Council for both the account held at Barnett House and the current account. Provide a statement of account to each meeting of the Table Officers. Have books ready for audit by Barnett House at the end of each fiscal year (June 30) Attend annual Seminar for Treasurers of Specialist Councils. Present audited financial statement to the AGM Provide consultative services to the Conference Director. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Assess needs, make recommendations and provide in-service opportunities to GEOEC Members in addition to annual conference. Establish, maintain and recommend a list of resource people. Submit a report of PD activities to the AGM. |
PUBLIC RELATIONS / MEMBERSHIP
Deal with issues relating to the image of the GEOEC and environmental education focusing Specifically on outside groups. Actively promote membership among interested members of the public. Work with the conference committee to ensure that they have an up-to-date membership list, and that the conference is promoted to non-members. Coordinate the development, interpretation and implementation of public relations policies. Submit a report on PR/ Membership activities to the AGM. PUBLICATIONS Coordinate and act as editor for any publications that pertain to the goals and objectives of the GEOEC. Attend the annual Seminar for Specialist Council Editors. Submit a report of Publications activities to the AGM. CONFERENCE DIRECTORS (2018) In consultation with the Table Officers, plan and carry out an annual conference program which is to be outlined in the fall and published at least two months prior to the conference. Keep a conference file. Pass this file on to the Conference Director-Elect. Attend annual Seminar for Conference Directors of Specialist Councils. Submit an audited financial statement to the Table Officers within two months following the conference. Present this statement to the Executive Board at the first fall meeting. Submit all financial records to Barnett House on or before June 30 for auditing. CONFERENCE DIRECTOR-ELECT (2019) Serve as a member of the conference steering committee in preparation for the following year. Assist the Conference Director as required. NOTE: (It is not essential that this person attend Executive meetings). COMMUNITY LIAISONS (Two Positions) This is a non-voting appointed position, created to facilitate sharing of experience and knowledge between community (non-formal) and school-based (formal) educators. It acknowledges the significant contribution of non-formal educators to global, environmental and outdoor education. |
Meet GEOEC
Don McLaughlin,
President
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Breanne Oakie-Carriere,
Past President
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Court Rustemeyer,
Outdoor Education Specialist
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Karen Larter,
Outdoor Education Specialist
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Beth Townsend,
Treasurer
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Kate Robertson,
Professional Development
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Alison Katzko,
Connections Journal Editor
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Awards & Competitions
At our Annual Conference, the Global, Environmental and Outdoor Education Council of the ATA honours those people who have contributed to global, environmental and outdoor education. As a member of the council you have the opportunity to nominate a deserving person for recognition.
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The Global, Environmental and Outdoor Education Council (GEOEC) seeks nominations for the following awards:
Appreciation of Service Award Award is presented to member and nonmember individuals and organizations in acknowledgement of service contributing to the professional growth of GEOEC members. Considerations include service, events, hosts, materials, sponsors, affiliate organizations and departments that have been of significant benefit to the Council. Award of Merit The Award of Merit is presented to member and nonmember individuals and organizations in recognition of exemplary teaching, leadership or service in the field of global, environmental and outdoor education. Considerations include teaching, leadership or service representing a significant commitment of effort and time; effective influence on the development of global, environmental and outdoor education in a region, province or nation; contribution to the awareness and understanding of an environmental ethic; or extension of teaching practice, research, legislation or funding in global, environmental and outdoor education. |
Distinguished Fellow Award
The Distinguished Fellow Award is presented to a member in acknowledgement of outstanding achievement and distinguished service in the field of global, environmental and outdoor education. Considerations include years of service, significance of achievements, effect of leadership, and commitment to the Council’s development and operation GEOEC Executive Service Awards For two, five and ten years of service to the Executive of the Global, Environmental and Outdoor Education Council and to teacher professional development in Alberta. DISTINGUISHED FELLOW Presented to people who have made a career of outstanding achievement and distinguished service in the field of global, environmental and outdoor education in Alberta. APPRECIATION OF SERVICE Presented to people or organizations (member and non-member) in acknowledgement of service contributing to the professional growth of GEOEC members. AWARD OF MERIT Presented to people or organizations (member and non-member) to recognize exemplary teaching, leadership and/or service in the field of global, environmental and outdoor education in Alberta. |
Past Winners
Year |
Distinguished Fellow |
Appreciation of Service |
Award of Merit |
1977 |
- |
- |
Liz Hall Helen Schuler |
1978 |
Joy Finlay |
- |
- |
1980 |
Brad Blocksidge Dr. Les Tolman |
Mary Bailey |
- |
1981 |
Donna Barge |
Jean Funk Susie Washington Jim Weaver Ross Wright County of St. Paul |
Bert Lougheed Jim Martin Irl Miller Dan Stoler |
1982 |
- |
Anne Isaacs Hank & Frances Roessingh Lois Fenna |
Greg & Lady Stevens Burt Demeriez |
1983 |
Hugh Philips |
Lloyd Flaig Bod Townsend |
- |
1984 |
Bernie Galbraith |
Cam Finlay Alberta Parks & Recreation Ron Erickson |
Sally Banks Dick Staples |
1985 |
- |
Alberta Environment- Education Brand Goldeye Centre |
George Shaw Reg Houghton |
1986 |
Jim Martin |
Society, Environment & Energy Development Studies Foundation (SEEDS) Devonian Botanic Gardens |
Carl Ellingson Eric Mokash Ron Sweet Phil Schummacher |
1987 |
Nestor Kelba |
Kananaskis Country Enviro Ed Brand Rocky Mountain YMCA Yamnuska Centre Outdoor Schools |
Rob Osberg Calgary Board of Education Joanne Barwise Lloyd Pearce |
1988 |
- |
Fish Creek Provincial Park Shannon Terrace Education Centre Ed Henderson Bob Mitchell |
John Kinnaird Ken Yuha Rick Mrazek |
1989 |
Dan Stoker |
Kiwanis Club of Calgary |
Jeff Reading |
1990 |
Rick Mrazek Ron Sweet Don Kenyan Jim Martin |
University of Calgary Kananaskis Centre for Environmental Research |
Dennis Gogal Katherine Zimmerman |
1991 |
- |
Society of Education Resource Groups |
Bill March George Taven Ian Waugh |
1992 |
- |
Friends of Environmental Education Society of Alberta (FEESA) |
Dan Tarney Deb Brandell |
1993 |
- |
Linda Hart Keith Harrison |
Ray Cromie |
1994 |
Colin Lumby |
Doris & Eric Hopkins |
Linda Hart |
1995 |
- |
Jim Butler |
Cal & Katherine Kullman George Millar |
1996 |
George Taven |
- |
Bev Yee |
1997 |
Jeff Reading |
Pat Worthington |
Alberta Eco Trust Peter Lenton |
1998 |
- |
Rita Poruchny |
Gareth Thomson |
1999 |
- |
- |
Green Teacher Magazine |
2000 |
Earl Choldin |
Encompass Magazine |
Ben Gadd Earl Cholden Bert East |
2001 |
Ian Waugh |
Open Minds Program Alberta Learning Network |
Pat Worthington Suzanna Wong |
2002 |
Gareth Thomson |
- |
Ken Kure |
2003 |
- |
Sharon Vogrinetz |
- |
2004 |
- |
Vicki Ziegler Canadian Parks & Wilderness Society Evergreen Theatre |
Glyn Hughes Scott Millar Sara Coumantaraskis |
2005 |
- |
Jane Rekstan The Calgary Zoo River Valley Programs -Edmonton |
Mary Harding |
2007 |
Carey Booth |
Calgary Board of Education Off-Site Activites |
Ron Berezan |
2008 |
Peter Lenton Suzanna Wong |
Karen Whitehead |
- |
2009 |
Sharon Vogrinetz |
Alberta Council for Global Cooperation (ACGC) |
Cayley School |
2010 |
Noel Jantzie |
- |
High Park School, Stony Plains |
2011 |
- |
Polly Knowlton Cockett Parks Canada Palisades Stewardship Education Centre |
Paul Bohnert Jere Geiger Kathy Satterfield |
2013 |
Michael Mappins |
Lara Fenton |
Calgary Mayor's Environment Expo Canadian Geographic Energy Diet |
2014 |
- |
- |
CGCER Tyler Dixon |
2015 |
Rita Poruchny |
- |
- |
2016 |
- |
- |
- |