“The Buddy” National Educator Award

The National Educator Award for Outstanding Environmental Stewardship, also known as “The Buddy,” recognizes an educator who has made a significant impact on his or her students’ understanding of the natural world and the importance of protecting our nation’s treasured parks.

Recipients:

• • 2024-2025: Kevin Marshall – a former SILA teacher, Graduate Support Coordinator, Student Activities and Service Director in Baltimore, MD
• • 2023-2024: Jim Vail – 4th-grade teacher at Hammond Elementary in Chicago, IL
• • 2022-2023: Raul Toscana – 4th-grade teacher at Gaithersburg Elementary School in Gaithersburg, MD
• • 2021-2022: Leslie Strahl – Learning Strategist at Hollingsworth Elementary School in Las Vegas, NV
• • 2020-2021: Christopher Pike – 4th-grade teacher at Honaunau Elementary School in Captain Cook, HI
• • 2019-2020: Heimy Salgado – Reading specialist at Ida B. Wells Middle School in Washington, DC
• • 2018-2019: Yolanda Smith – 5th-grade teacher at Richmond Avenue School in Atlantic City, NJ
• • 2017-2018: Chelsea Vines – 3rd-grade teacher at M. Agnes Jones Elementary in Atlanta, GA
• • 2016-2017: Bobby Caballero and Rene Hayden in Washington, D.C.
• • 2015-2016: Krista Gordon – Substitute teacher in Bellingham, WA
• • 2014-2015: Stephen Biller – 5th-grade teacher at Beacon Heights Elementary School in Riverdale, MD
• • 2013-2014: Pam Alexandroff – 5th-grade teacher at Jose de Diego Community Academy in Chicago, IL
• • 2011-2012: Anne Porterfield – Reading teacher at St. Ignatius Loyola Academy in Baltimore, MD
• • 2009-2010: Carolyn Cohen – 3rd grade teacher at the Bullis School in Potomac, MD