Growing up in Florida, social studies teacher Kelley Krejnik witnessed  the increased frequency and severity of hurricanes, as well as the  rise in “snowbirds,” a person who migrates from the north to the south, typically during the winter  months. After seeing how this environmental phenomenon affected the communities around her,  Krejnik used a passion for learning and sharing knowledge to educate her students on the dangers  of climate change through the class Sustainable Investigations. 

“I keep noticing the absence of [climate change] in education, and I feel like my professional obligation is to do the best I can to prepare and empower my students to be able to live peacefully  and thrive in the future,” Krejnik said. “From what I have learned about [climate change], we absolutely have to teach it to our students if we want [change] to be  possible.”

Krejnik has been teaching  at Ladue High School for seven years. Since then, she’s made  efforts to educate her students on the environment. Aside from  launching Sustainable Investigations, a semester-long course  which aims to educate students regarding sustainability and push for a bigger conversation about climate change’s effect, Krejnik  sponsors two clubs: Student Action for a Greener Earth Club and  Greenhouse Club.

“From the very first meeting, I’ve seen her passion for not only  [the greenhouse] and sustainability, but just the environment in  general,” assistant principal Andy Ross said. “She commits a lot of time, effort and energy to helping with efforts here at school under that umbrella [of sustainability].” 

As Krejnik developed her class curriculum and club efforts, her  passion for sustainability reflected upon the students she taught.  Phoenix Jegel (12) enrolled in Sustainable Investigations last  year. Jegel is also currently doing an independent study period  with Krejnik, focusing on ways they can improve the Ladue High School’s sustainability.  

“She’s very receptive,” Jegel  said. “It’s about what the student wants to do and it’s really  nice, because I can say anything. My [independent study] idea has changed five times, and it’s been a month, not even. Every single time she’s been super supportive of whatever I want to get into.” 

Through Krejnik’s clubs and classes, she hopes to use her own experiences to educate students about climate change, and ways  they can improve personal sustainability. She also aims to encourage students to investigate  climate change on their own.

 “There’s a lack of knowledge with each [generation],” Krejnik said. “The older people are, the less they know about [climate change]. And yet, it’s the older  people who teach the next generation. So we’re always at a knowledge deficit. At some point we’re  gonna have to change that. I feel like I have learned enough that I  am responsible. I would be irresponsible if I didn’t do what I can  to try to share this knowledge with other people.”