Teacher Appreciation Week Spotlight
In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, we are proud to recognize and thank Ali Gustavson, CELT’s Education Program Coordinator, for her incredible leadership and creativity in bringing nature-based education to Cape Elizabeth’s students.
Education is one of the three pillars of CELT’s mission, along with land conservation and stewardship. With Ali at the helm—and thanks to support from our dedicated Education Committee—our programs aim to deepen understanding of our local landscapes and empower the next generation of environmental stewards.
Throughout the school year, Ali collaborates with teachers across all grade levels, bringing students into the field to explore and learn:
🌿 Elementary Field Trips:
First through fourth graders at Pond Cove Elementary experience seasonal field trips designed to meet Maine state education requirements and Next Generation Science Standards. Whether tracking wildlife in Robinson Woods or investigating habitats around Great Pond, students learn through journaling, games, and close observation—all under Ali’s guidance, with help from our trained volunteers.
🌿 Pond Cove Environmental Resource Center (ERC):
Ali oversees CELT’s hands-on ERC at the school library, where teachers can borrow field guides, nets, and other resources to support in-class and outdoor learning.
🌿 Middle & High School Programs:
At the middle school, seventh graders make weekly visits to Turkey Hill Farm for outdoor learning, and eighth graders participate in trail-building and restoration projects each spring—a CELT tradition since 2000. At the high school level, students help monitor water quality at Great Pond and Alewife Brook, or complete senior service projects related to trail work, photography, and education.
🌿 In-Class Programs & Mini-Grants:
Ali also develops classroom lessons—like seed structure and bird adaptations—that align with grade-level curriculum. And thanks to generous donors, CELT continues to award mini-grants to teachers to enhance environmental learning in their classrooms.
None of this would be possible without the passion and energy that Ali brings to her work every day. Her commitment to connecting students with the natural world is inspiring—and a true reflection of CELT’s values.
Please join us in thanking Ali for all she does, and in recognizing the educators, volunteers, and community members who make these programs thrive. Together, we’re growing a stronger, more nature-connected future for Cape Elizabeth.
