Sustainability Spotlight: Shawn Roberts at Park Middle School

Park Middle has been a sustainability leader in Lincoln Public Schools for years, and Shawn Roberts, Media Secretary and Sustainability Champion, is determined to keep sustainability as a focus this year. Although the pandemic makes it more difficult to meet with students and facilitate hands-on activities, Roberts celebrates the small ways her school is making a difference.

Reusing recyclable materials to create art has been a fun and unique way Roberts is encouraging students to reduce waste and get creative. Additionally, recycling challenges have kept students and staff engaged in sustainable efforts across the building. Announcements in the school news keep staff connected to these initiatives and the Green Team Google Classroom offers a platform for students to connect and continue forming ideas for refining Park’s Reusable Water Bottle Campaign.

Outside of school, Roberts continues to be a sustainability leader as well. She pursues active ways to reduce her waste and expand her sustainable practices by avoiding plastic bags and getting her family on board to move towards zero waste. Roberts also enrolled in the U.S. Green Building Council’s Green Classroom Professional course to gain insight into engaging students with the environment and a broader perspective on being a steward of the Earth.

Although this pandemic has caused major barriers because of the excess waste being generated from cleaning supplies and disposable masks, Roberts encourages others to think about the planet rather than convenience. With the help of students and coworkers, Roberts is staying optimistic and motivated to continue supporting environmental challenges at Park. It’s because of positive and resourceful champions, like Roberts, that school sustainability initiatives are able to continue and even grow during this challenging year.