Groundswell Teacher Awards
Each year at the Groundswell Student Project Showcase, we recognize educators who go above and beyond in their commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement. These teachers lead impactful, place-based projects that inspire students and create lasting, positive change. To honor their work, we present two awards: the Sprout Award, celebrating emerging educators making a strong early impact, and the Swell Award, recognizing veteran teachers whose long-term leadership strengthens both students and communities. Their efforts embody the mission of Groundswell and help cultivate the next generation of environmental stewards.
2024-2025 Sprout and Swell Teachers of the Year
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2024-2025 Sprout Teacher of the Year
Melanie Ver Duin received the 2025 Sprout Teacher of the Year Award. Melanie is a Young Fives teacher at Mary A. White Elementary School. This year, she completed her first Groundswell project by working with her students to stabilize and protect a sand dune on their campus. Together, they explored solutions to dune erosion and installed native plants to increase local biodiversity. Melanie empowers her young students to slow down, observe, and take meaningful action. Congratulations, Melanie Ver Duin!
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2024-2025 Swell Teacher of the Year
Keith Piccard received the 2025 Swell Teacher of the Year Award. Keith is a teacher at Allendale Middle School and has been a Groundswell educator for seven years, with over 23 years of teaching experience. Since 2001, he has led the Riparian Area Integrated Learning Project (RAIL Project), engaging students in hands-on research through aquatic entomology and stream ecology. His students investigate real-time changes in local stream ecosystems, becoming citizen scientists whose work has been published in national science journals and presented at conferences. Keith's teaching fosters curiosity, compassion, and a deep connection to the natural world. Congratulations, Keith Piccard!
Previous Award Recipients
Previous Swell Teachers
2023-2024 Recipient: Michelle Holliday, 4th–6th grade, Environmental Education, Grand Rapids Montessori School
2022-2023 Recipient: Patty Tolly, 6th grade, All Subjects with Environmental Focus, Central Woodlands
Spring 2022 Recipient: Lea Sevigny, 7th–8th grade, Communications, Central Middle School
Fall 2021 Recipient: Erin Fettig, 1st grade, All Subjects with Environmental Focus, Brookside Elementary School
2021 Recipient: Bill Mull, 6th–7th grade, Science, Godwin Middle School
Previous Sprout Teachers
2023–2024 Recipient: Becky Bravata, 6th grade, Language Arts and Social Studies, Kraft Meadows Intermediate School