Laura Skelton, MS
Program Director
As Program Director, Laura is in charge of developing new curriculum for Facing the Future. Laura has co-authored a number of curriculum resources, including:
Laura also co-authored draft environmental and sustainability education learning standards for Washington State. The revised K-12 Integrated Environmental and Sustainability Learning Standards were approved by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction in September 2009. The standards describe the knowledge and skills that all students should have in the area of environmental and sustainability education.
Laura has presented a number of educator workshops, including sessions at conferences hosted by Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), the College Board (AP Annual Conference), the British Columbia Association of Teachers of Mathematics, the Washington State Council for Social Studies (WSCSS), and the Environmental Education Association of Washington (EEAW).
Laura brings a broad background of educational experiences to Facing the Future. She has taught in a variety of classroom settings, including grades 6-12 and undergraduate courses. Prior to teaching, Laura completed a 2-year research study at The Land Institute, a natural systems agriculture research center in Salina, Kansas. She has co-authored several scientific articles on sustainable agriculture and fire ecology.
Outside of work, Laura volunteers with several community organizations, including YMCA and Seattle Works.
Teaching Experience
Laura has taught math and science, and has developed activity- and standards-based curricula for middle and high school students. She has also worked extensively with high school and low-income elementary students in English as a Second Language (ESL) and after-school programs. Prior to teaching younger students, Laura taught biology and ecology lab courses for undergraduate students.
Global Perspective
Her global perspective comes from an appreciation of the natural world and her belief that natural resources should be conserved so that all people may enjoy them in perpetuity. Laura helped to build a boarding school in the Peruvian Andes for students who otherwise wouldn’t be able to attend secondary school.
Education
Laura has an MS in Ecology from the University of Georgia, and a BA in Ecology and Society from Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas.