{"id":35003,"date":"2026-09-28T14:55:22","date_gmt":"2026-09-28T19:55:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/home.lps.org\/sustainability\/?p=35003"},"modified":"2026-10-01T08:41:08","modified_gmt":"2026-10-01T13:41:08","slug":"sustainability-spotlight-amy-swanson-sheridan-elementary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/home.lps.org\/sustainability\/2026\/09\/28\/sustainability-spotlight-amy-swanson-sheridan-elementary\/","title":{"rendered":"Sustainability Spotlight: Amy Swanson at Sheridan Elementary School"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"35003\" class=\"elementor elementor-35003\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2e12c1d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"2e12c1d\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-613ee92\" data-id=\"613ee92\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fd31ba1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-post-info\" data-id=\"fd31ba1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"post-info.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-inline-items elementor-icon-list-items elementor-post-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-repeater-item-2c674ed elementor-inline-item\" itemprop=\"datePublished\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text elementor-post-info__item elementor-post-info__item--type-date\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<time>September 28, 2026<\/time>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ecb822f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ecb822f\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e5ff334\" data-id=\"e5ff334\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-75d78d8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"75d78d8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">October\u2019s Sustainability Spotlight is shining on Amy Swanson from Sheridan Elementary School. Swanson started working at Sheridan 7 years ago and has been their Sustainability Champion ever since! Currently, Swanson is the school\u2019s Media Specialist and, in this role, she has incorporated sustainability and the outdoors into her students\u2019 everyday routines.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cAs a librarian, you have to be a little bit of a champion for the world, right?\u201d she said, \u201cAnd sustainability is part of that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-616c5cc elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"616c5cc\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-fdc13a7\" data-id=\"fdc13a7\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5ccea7c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5ccea7c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8216;Swanson makes the most out of Sheridan\u2019s outdoor classroom, hosting many outdoor and garden-related activities such as trash walks, rock decorating, and outdoor reading. She has also encouraged other staff to take their students outside and has supported seed-starting, art projects, and Sheridan\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walkbiketoschool.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Walk, Bike and Roll to School<\/a> event. She credits Sheridan\u2019s community spirit with making all of these activities possible and successful.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThat kind of \u2018Sheridan culture\u2019 where we take care of each other is always around.We are a part of this community; this school really does have a magic, and we just can&#8217;t deny it. But I think part of it is deeply rooted in taking care of the neighborhood, and that we are a community.\u201d<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Over the summer, Swanson hosted Summer Library events where students and community members were encouraged to have hands-on interactions with many outdoor-related activities. The first activity focused on worms, another on rocks and minerals, and her favorite activity was focused on plants. As a part of this activity, Swanson teamed up with the community so participating students could take home tomato and herb plants alongside books, extending outdoor learning to their homes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIt just made my heart just soar. We can take these, and they were like, &#8216;I can plant a plant?&#8217; I was like, &#8216;Yes, you can!&#8217;\u201d<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She finds that one of the most rewarding parts of this program is getting students excited about nature and outdoor activities.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f4a40a0\" data-id=\"f4a40a0\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5803cd8 elementor-arrows-position-inside elementor-pagination-position-outside elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-carousel\" data-id=\"5803cd8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;slides_to_show&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;navigation&quot;:&quot;both&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_hover&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_interaction&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;autoplay_speed&quot;:5000,&quot;infinite&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;effect&quot;:&quot;slide&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:500}\" data-widget_type=\"image-carousel.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel-wrapper swiper\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Image Carousel\" dir=\"ltr\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel swiper-wrapper\" aria-live=\"off\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/home.lps.org\/sustainability\/files\/2026\/09\/Sheridan-Plants-2-1.jpg?fit=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"A smiling Amy Swanson in a denim jacket holds a tray of green classroom plants beside students\u2019 desks; the bright school room feels warm and welcoming.\" \/><figcaption class=\"elementor-image-carousel-caption\">Amy Swanson holding plants that were given away to students<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/home.lps.org\/sustainability\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG_4516-1.jpg?fit=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Assistant Sustainability Coordinator Alex Tunnison presenting Amy Swanson and Alan Holly with &quot;Greenest&quot; Achievement for 2026 Green Schools Recognition Program\" \/><figcaption class=\"elementor-image-carousel-caption\">Assistant Sustainability Coordinator Alex Tunnison presenting Amy Swanson and Alan Holly with \"Greenest\" Achievement for 2026 Green Schools Recognition Program<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/home.lps.org\/sustainability\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG_3108-2.jpg?fit=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"A sunny outdoor community cleanup in a leafy courtyard, where Amy Swanson in casual clothes helps a student collect litter in bright orange buckets beside a brick building.\" \/><figcaption class=\"elementor-image-carousel-caption\">Amy Swanson helping students during a garden cleanup event.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"4 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/home.lps.org\/sustainability\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG_6221-1.jpg?fit=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Amy Swanson, Alan Holly, and Principal Ashley Sitzman with &quot;Greenest&quot; Achievement for 2025 Green Schools Recognition Program in a bright green field on a sunny day.\" \/><figcaption class=\"elementor-image-carousel-caption\">Amy Swanson, Alan Holly, and Principal  Ashley Sitzman with \"Greenest\" Achievement for 2025 Green Schools Recognition Program<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-prev\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"eicon-chevron-left\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-next\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"eicon-chevron-right\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b5ce0a9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b5ce0a9\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-cad626b\" data-id=\"cad626b\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-46e143f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"46e143f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To get inspired for the many activities that she takes part in and encourages staff to incorporate into the students&#8217; learning, Swanson looks at the <a href=\"https:\/\/home.lps.org\/sustainability\/green-schools-recognition-program\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Green Schools Recognition Program<\/a> for where they can earn points. In the 2025-26 school year, Sheridan earned 210 points, achieving \u201cGreenest\u201d recognition and receiving a $200 sustainability funding reward. She says that moving learning to the outdoor classroom is one of the easy activities that she checks off their list.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI&#8217;ve looked at some of the things that we can do to get points, and I&#8217;m like, okay, so easy to go outside and read. It&#8217;s so easy to tell teachers that they can go outside and do math. The outdoor classroom is just a huge part of the kids here too. I think teachers try to use it as much as they can.\u201d<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Swanson highlights that part of the importance of letting students learn outside is unplugging from devices and fully experiencing the world around them. By having students interact with nature, she feels that they are building a lifelong connection with the planet, and with their school community. Beyond clean-up projects, and outdoor crafts and activities, Swanson encourages students to view the outdoors as a place where they can continue to learn and be involved with making a difference.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<div data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9581dc6 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"9581dc6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aa9b4b6 elementor-blockquote--skin-quotation elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"aa9b4b6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\tI think the biggest thing about sustainability is just really teaching that lifelong connection. This is our earth, and you really have to make sure that you are doing your part. Yes, we are 400 people in this building, but 400 people make a really big deal.\"\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">Amy Swanson<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9d53be7 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"9d53be7\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-68ae2ee\" data-id=\"68ae2ee\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0b0c9ad elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0b0c9ad\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She continues this messaging through indoor activities as well, highlighting books such as <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Water Princess<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by Susan Verde and connecting the issues discussed to current environmental topics, such as the impact of AI on natural resources.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another book connection that Swanson has made within Sheridan classrooms is the Golden Sower book <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The World\u2019s Best House Plant<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. After reading this book, Swanson provided every classroom at Sheridan with a houseplant that the students got to name and take care of with their class. She also encourages students to help out with taking care of plants all across the school and in the library.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f992d1c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f992d1c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Beyond plants, Swanson also encourages students to practice sustainable waste practices. She noted how she sees students sorting compost and recycling in their classrooms and always making sure to place their trash in the correct bins. Students are also tasked with helping to save energy through sustainable classroom task lists that include turning off the lights when they\u2019re not in use. She highlights the impact of small tasks on the environment and the ways that students view the space around them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIt&#8217;s the small things that will lead to building people who think about those things maybe don&#8217;t even have to think about it because it&#8217;s just part of what we do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-53b8efa\" data-id=\"53b8efa\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f5558b9 elementor-arrows-position-inside elementor-pagination-position-outside elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-carousel\" data-id=\"f5558b9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;slides_to_show&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;navigation&quot;:&quot;both&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_hover&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_interaction&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;autoplay_speed&quot;:5000,&quot;infinite&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;effect&quot;:&quot;slide&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:500}\" data-widget_type=\"image-carousel.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel-wrapper swiper\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Image Carousel\" dir=\"ltr\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel swiper-wrapper\" aria-live=\"off\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 10\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/home.lps.org\/sustainability\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG_3133.jpg?fit=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Children and Amy Swanson examine plants and flowers beside a chain-link fence, with a parking lot beyond; a calm outdoor learning moment.\" \/><figcaption class=\"elementor-image-carousel-caption\">Amy Swanson helping students in the outdoor classroom.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 10\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/home.lps.org\/sustainability\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG_3141.jpg?fit=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Colorful children\u2019s artwork fills a public display wall, clipped in overlapping rows. Crayon and paint drawings of animals, landscapes, trees, and imagined scenes create a cheerful, creative community-gallery feel.\" \/><figcaption class=\"elementor-image-carousel-caption\">Student art involving nature and the environment.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 10\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/home.lps.org\/sustainability\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG_3102-1.jpg?fit=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Two teachers and two girls gather around an orange bucket outdoors, examining its contents beneath leafy trees; bright sunlight gives the scene a curious, hands-on feel.\" \/><figcaption class=\"elementor-image-carousel-caption\">Amy Swanson assisting students with weeding in their outdoor classroom<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"4 of 10\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/home.lps.org\/sustainability\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG_3027.jpg?fit=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Children paint small stones at a red-patterned outdoor table, sharing watercolor palettes and brushes in a lively, creative community activity.\" \/><figcaption class=\"elementor-image-carousel-caption\">Sheridan students painting rocks for their outdoor classroom.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"5 of 10\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/home.lps.org\/sustainability\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG_2944.jpg?fit=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Two children garden in bright sunshine, tending raised beds and gathering greenery beside a large bin in a lively schoolyard.\" \/><figcaption class=\"elementor-image-carousel-caption\">Sheridan students cleaning up their outdoor classroom.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"6 of 10\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/home.lps.org\/sustainability\/files\/2026\/09\/671774839_963394839391553_5791622031336969251_n-2.jpg?fit=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"An outdoor music lesson unfolds beside a playground: a girl plays violin, a woman leads, and children gather around sheet music on a sunny day.\" \/><figcaption class=\"elementor-image-carousel-caption\">Sheridan students practicing music outdoors.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"7 of 10\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/home.lps.org\/sustainability\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG_3040-1.jpg?fit=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Children and adults paint together at a red-covered outdoor table, using watercolor palettes and brushes; a lively, welcoming community art activity.\" \/><figcaption class=\"elementor-image-carousel-caption\">Amy Swanson assisting students painting rocks for their outdoor classroom.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"8 of 10\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/home.lps.org\/sustainability\/files\/2026\/09\/leo-plant-summer-1.jpg?fit=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"A boy in a green-and-white cap looks at leafy seedlings in cardboard boxes on a table, with library bookshelves behind him; a calm, curious scene.\" \/><figcaption class=\"elementor-image-carousel-caption\">Plants given away to students at Summer Library Events<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"9 of 10\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/home.lps.org\/sustainability\/files\/2026\/09\/math-oc-26-Amy-Swanson.jpg?fit=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"A child in a blue shirt sits on a sunny garden path, writing on a worksheet beside leafy plants; the outdoor learning scene feels focused and calm.\" \/><figcaption class=\"elementor-image-carousel-caption\">Sheridan student learning math outside<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"10 of 10\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/home.lps.org\/sustainability\/files\/2026\/09\/rr-2-2026-Amy-Swanson-1.jpeg?fit=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"A smiling child in a red jacket, helmet, and backpack stands beside a blue bicycle on a sunny path, with leafy trees and parked cars behind.\" \/><figcaption class=\"elementor-image-carousel-caption\">Sheridan student at the school's Bike, Walk, and Roll to School event<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-prev\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"eicon-chevron-left\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-next\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"eicon-chevron-right\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c5c8d20 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c5c8d20\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-11a9648\" data-id=\"11a9648\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4da90b9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4da90b9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Swanson\u2019s biggest piece of advice to staff wanting to get more involved is to try to make sustainability and outdoor learning a part of your school culture. She encourages staff to make sustainable practices and ideas a part of their everyday classroom experiences. She explains that she believes that sustainability and learning to take care of the environment is a part of life that can be taught and explored by educators.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-fecec94\" data-id=\"fecec94\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-054155e elementor-blockquote--skin-quotation elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"054155e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\tThe advice that I would give is just: we are teachers, we are educators, and this is a part of life. This is making sure that we are taking care of other things, not just the everyday curriculum. This is life skills. These are life skills that we have to teach, to make a better world.\u201d\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">Amy Swanson<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-732e74a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"732e74a\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d4b3377\" data-id=\"d4b3377\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aedc8de elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"aedc8de\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LPS Sustainability is very proud of Amy Swanson and all of the hard work that she has put into incorporating sustainability into Sheridan\u2019s culture and everyday experiences. We cannot wait to see what she and the outstanding Sheridan Sharks accomplish in this coming year.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>October\u2019s Sustainability Spotlight is shining on Amy Swanson from Sheridan Elementary School. Swanson started working at Sheridan 7 years ago and has been their Sustainability Champion ever since! Currently, Swanson is the school\u2019s Media Specialist and, in this role, she has incorporated sustainability and the outdoors into her students\u2019 everyday routines.\u00a0 \u201cAs a librarian, you [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12383,"featured_media":35165,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-35003","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5XcXY-96z","jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/home.lps.org\/sustainability\/files\/2026\/09\/Update-Feature-34.png?fit=630%2C420&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/home.lps.org\/sustainability\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35003","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/home.lps.org\/sustainability\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/home.lps.org\/sustainability\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/home.lps.org\/sustainability\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12383"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/home.lps.org\/sustainability\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35003"}],"version-history":[{"count":37,"href":"https:\/\/home.lps.org\/sustainability\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35003\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":35345,"href":"https:\/\/home.lps.org\/sustainability\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35003\/revisions\/35345"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/home.lps.org\/sustainability\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/35165"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/home.lps.org\/sustainability\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35003"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/home.lps.org\/sustainability\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35003"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/home.lps.org\/sustainability\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35003"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}