Climate Education

Diary Of A Field Trip Back to School

March 17, 2025

Diary Of A Field Trip Back to School!

Buffalo Trail Elementary School, Aldie, Virginia

It was an early morning for me, but class was already in session at school. As I drove closer, I could see the big brick building grow bigger and bigger. The familiar letters across the front read Buffalo Trail Elementary School, Aldie, Virginia. A flash of nostalgia hit me. It was where I first taught First Grade, over 2 years ago, before I joined EARTHDAY.ORG.

It is where I took my class of 25 of 6-7 year olds on our nature walks, following the curved walkway around the school. It is where I waved goodbye to my students on the very last day of my time teaching at the school, the moist humidity clinging in the air and making it harder to hold back my tears, knowing it was not just their last day, but mine too.

It was where I said goodbye to my classroom teaching career and hello to a brand new opportunity—working with millions of students and teachers all over the world for EARTHDAY.ORG. My classroom had just got a lot bigger. I was going to be joining the team taking the benefits of teaching climate education to the world! I wasn’t just in Virginia any more!

Emily at PGCPS Youth Climate Summit Event 2024

Emily Walker teaching at Buffalo Trail Elementary School, Aldie, Virginia.

As I walked closer, heading back to ‘my’ old school, I felt that mix of familiar excitement and nerves. With my bag full of Earth Day books and my smile ready, I was about to greet 150 first grade students. My love for teaching and the planet had led me back here. I opened the door and made my way down the hallway, passing old colleagues and familiar doorways. I felt energized, like I had never left. I reached the classroom, where the students were finding their spots, ready to learn. Today, they were going to learn about Earth Day.

My teaching muscles were ready, and as soon as I began speaking, I immediately felt at home. The students were wide-eyed and eager to learn. We talked about the planet, why it’s important to protect it, and most importantly, how pollution harms us and the environment. We discussed how our actions make a difference and how we each have the power to protect the planet. And then came the best part: the topic of plastic. These students didn’t know it yet, but they were about to become the innovators and problem-solvers who would tackle plastic waste in their cafeteria. This was their Earth Day Showcase Kick-off.

Thanks to the amazing educators committed to teaching their students about responsibility and caring for the planet, they were about to put on their thinking caps. I was so lucky to be the expert guiding them, sparking excitement for the next four weeks of their learning! I can’t wait to see what these students, with the guidance of their teachers, come up with.

A gripped audience watchesEmily as she presents the ‘My First Earth Day’ reel

As an advocate for climate education and a resource for environmental-minded educators, I have dedicated my work to supporting teachers and students in understanding our changing climate. I’ve written Curricula Guides, a primer on How Climate Change Impacts the K‑12 Learning Experience and Solutions and I regularly speak in classrooms, talking to children about the importance of understanding our planet’s future and sharing Toolkits. I am no stranger to presenting, but the diverse ideas students come up with make these conversations feel new every time!

Why does learning about climate education matter? It eases student climate anxiety, helps counter misinformation, and prepares students with the knowledge and skills they need for the green economy. It also teaches them how to lower their impact on the planet’s resources, making environmental responsibility a natural part of their everyday lives. Climate storytelling plays an essential role in this process, offering powerful, relatable examples that engage students on an emotional level.

For educators looking to teach climate change, I recommend using EARTHDAY.ORG’s free The School Guide to Climate Education to help guide that learning. In it, you can learn about the 3 Pillars of Climate Education—mental wellbeing, green muscle memory, and climate solutions—offer a framework for addressing climate change in education. By focusing on green skills, renewable energy, and sustainable infrastructure, we can support students in becoming the changemakers our planet needs.

In addition to problem solving with the students, I got the chance to show them a special reel. As Earth Day celebrates its 55th anniversary in 2025, we reflect on the incredible work we’ve been leading for five decades. My First Earth Day Reel is a sweet, 51-second video introducing them to Earth Day and it was a great way to do it, with fun and smiles. It warmed my heart so see these students get excited and giggly over it!

I had such a wonderful time seeing the potential in our youth, the energy and curiosity they brought to the lesson were nothing short of inspiring. It reminded me why I started this journey in the first place. The way they absorbed the information, asked thoughtful questions, and began to imagine solutions for a healthier planet gave me hope for the future. These students were not just learning about Earth Day; they were beginning to see themselves as part of the solution, empowered to take action.

Looking for something to do this Earth Day? For Earth Action Day, join the Earth Day Educator Network by registering as an Earth Day Educator Representative and submitting your students’ climate projects to the Earth Day Showcase. By getting involved, you’ll be part of the global movement driving climate action!

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Emily Walker