Mr William Greene
Reflections from the 2009 Toyota International Teacher Program to Costa Rica
Greene, third from the right, on his home stay.
To give some background - West Virginia, although home to a growing community of educated, environmentally aware people, is still not as progressive a state as it could be. Much of the economy is based on extraction industries - logging and coal mining. In the present economy, getting the natural resources out as quickly and cheaply as possible takes precedence over more environmentally friendly, possibly more costly ways.
The similarities of the economies of West Virginia and Costa Rica are notable. We don’t grow bananas, but in many ways we fit the stereotype of a "Banana Republic.” After my visit to Costa Rica, I am greatly encouraged. What I saw and experienced showed me there really are people out there who look a little further than the short term “bottom line”. I will strive to make my personal lifestyle more environmentally friendly, and will continue to keep the word “sustainability” in my working vocabulary. It was an overwhelmingly moving and positive experience.
I anticipate putting together a unit on “Sustainability” that I will offer to my students during the school year, and will also offer the class in the summer through the Carnegie Hall, WV Kids College workshops.