Exploring teachers' perception of environmental education preparation experiences on their incorporation of environmental education in the profession

This research sought to explore teachers' perceptions of their preservice environmental education (EE) experiences in relation to the incorporation of EE into pK-12 classroom instruction, professional development, and environmental literacy. Given that so many of eastern Kentucky's teachers obtained their credentials from Morehead State University, the survey's purpose was to identify relationships between EE preparation experiences to 1) use of EE in the pK-12 instruction, 2) professional development choices, and 3) environmental literacy (EL). The survey results showed 66% of the teachers that participated in EE programs were incorporating EE into classroom instruction; compared to 44% that didn't have an EE experience. However, only six of the 36 teachers passed the EL questions. Even though teachers with EE experience appear to be incorporating EE, they are not developing the EE skills and EL through preparation experiences and/or professional development. This raises concerns about the EL content of the preparation experiences.