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Sarah Geborkoff inducted into MTU Academy of Educators

The Michigan Technological University Academy of Educators gives recognition to alumni and alumnae who have brought distinction to themselves, Michigan Tech and the Teacher Education program through their participation, commitment, and outstanding leadership and/or public service in the field of K-12 education.

The 2017 inductees are Sarah Geborkoff, William Bertoldi, and Yonee Bryant-Kuiphoff. Sarah earned her B.S. in Geolgy at Michigan Tech in 2000 along with secondary certification in Earth Science and Middle School Science. She has taught at Houghton Middle School (HMS) since 2012. Since 2013, she has been the lead teacher for the Lake Superior Stewardship Project at HMS, where her 7th & 8th grade students work with community partners and experts to address stream biodiversity, monitoring and clean up of Huron Creek.

In 2014, 2015, and 2017, Sarah has served as the advisor for the Lexus Scholastic Eco Challenge teams at HMS. Here 2014 team focused on invasive species and her 2015 team focused on remediation of stamp sands. Both won a $10,000 national prized, one of only 8 teams selected nationwide. Her 2017 team is studying soil quality and the impact of backyard burning.

Sarah is a successful grant writer, receiving funding to build a greenhouse, pollinator garden and vegetable
garden at Houghton Middle School. She received the Dan Wolz Award for water education in 2017. This $1500 award is given annually to only one teacher statewide by the Michigan Science Teachers Association and Michigan Water Environmental Association. Also in 2017, she was asked to serve as the regional Director of the Michigan Science Teachers Association.