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Advanced Training for Environmental Education in Georgia (ATEEG) is a nationally accredited, professional certification program for formal and non-formal educators based on the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) Guidelines for Excellence.  This program is offered by the Environmental Education Alliance of Georgia in partnership with the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia.

Why become certified? You will be recognized as a leader in the field of environmental education gaining credibility for yourself and the profession.  You will experience great networking opportunities, learn how to measure the success of your programs, and expand your knowledge of instructional techniques.  Learn more about the value of EE certification in this article written by Brenda G. Weiser, Ed. D. "EE Certification: Why do we need it? What’s in it for me?" 

Below are a description of the ATEEG Program Format, the Dates of Core Course offerings, a list of the Expectations of Participants, a list of the Core Course and Independent Study Assessments, the Costs of lodging and registration, and the Withdrawal Policy. 
Certification is valid for 5 years.  The process and application for re-certification are detailed in the Re-certification Packet.
Links to the Registration Forms and contact information for the ATEEG Program Administrator are also provided.
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Program Format:
The ATEEG Program is constructed as a three part process.                                                                       

Part 1: Three separate 3-day core courses (Core Course 1 must be completed first.  Core Courses 2 and 3 can be taken in any order.)

Core Course 1 - Foundations of EE                                                                               
Core Course 2 - Fostering Learning
Core Course 3 - Assessment and Evaluation

Part 2: 30 hours of Specialization Workshops
Specialization Workshops are considered to be any professional development opportunity offered throughout the state that advances the participant's content knowledge and skills. Specialization Workshop hours can be accrued after completing Core Course 1.

Part 3: Independent Study
Independent Study is the culminating project that allows the participant to apply their EE knowledge and skills, addressing a need at their “work” setting.  A proposal for an Independent Study project can be submitted after Core Course 3.

Participants have 3 years to complete the program and can earn 2 - Professional Learning Units (PLU) credits for each Core Course completed. 


Dates:
All courses are held at Charlie Elliott Conference Center in Mansfield, GA, begin at 1:00 p.m. on Friday and adjourn at noon on Sunday.

Core Course 1 (Foundations of EE)  June 28-30, 2013  No registrations can be accepted after June 18, 2013.

Core Course 1 (Foundations of EE)  November 22-24, 2013  No registrations can be accepted after November 12, 2013.

Core Course 2 (Fostering Learning) July 26-28, 2013 No registrations can be accepted after July 16, 2013.

Core Course 2 (Fostering Learning) January 24-26, 2014 No registrations can be accepted after January 14, 2014.

Core Course 3 (Assessment and Evaluation) September 6-8, 2013  No registrations can be accepted after August 27, 2013.

Core Course 3 (Assessment and Evaluation) February 21-23, 2014  No registrations can be accepted after February 11, 2014.


Expectations of Participants:
1. Participants are required to attend and participate fully in all three Core Courses. 
2. Participants must complete all assignments and score 80 percent or higher.
3. Participants are required to read and agree to the ATEEG Nondiscrimination Statement, the EEA Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Professional Environmental    Educators in Georgia and the EEA Confidentiality Agreement by signing the Policy Agreement Form when they participate in the ATEEG Program.
4. Participants are responsible for submitting all paperwork required to receive hours in fulfillment of the Specialization Workshops requirement.
5. Participants are encouraged to become active members of the Environmental Education Alliance of Georgia (EEA) and the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE), our national EE organization. 
 6. Participants who complete the ATEEG Program may be asked to volunteer as a mentor for new participants entering the Program.


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Assessments:

At the end of each Core Course, participants are expected to complete the following assessments within the specified time frame:

Core Course 1: Environmental Literacy Exam and a Reading Reflection

Core Course 2: Environmental Education Instruction Plan Reflection

Core Course 3: My Evaluation Plan

Independent Study: Final Report

Costs:
The ATEEG Program has been awarded a $4,800 mini-grant through the Southeast Environmental Education Alliance (SEEA) in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Over 50% of these funds are designated to be used for scholarships (reducing the cost of Core Courses by $140) for 20 participants in the 2013 calendar year. 

The application to receive one of the scholarships is simply the online registration form for the courses. All of the grant funds must be expended in the calendar year 2013.   If you register and pay for all three courses in 2013, you will receive the full $140 scholarship provided that funds are still available.

If you register and pay for individual courses, the scholarship may be pro-rated per course.  In this case, the reduced registration fee for Core Course 1 would be $175.  Core Courses 2 and 3 would be $180 for EEA members.  For non-members, the cost is $200 for Core Course 1 and $205 for Core Courses 2 and 3 which includes an EEA membership fee.  Due to the documentation that is required by the grantor, you will be charged the full price of the course and then refunded the amount of the scholarship. Course fees include all materials, supplies and meals. 

The lodging cost (double occupancy) at Charlie Elliott Conference Center is $63.50 per course. A single occupancy room option is also available at $127 per course. 

Funding for Professional Development may be available through GRANTS listed on EEinGeorgia.org.

Scholarships for formal and non-formal educators from south Georgia are available through the Murray H. Gaskins, Sr. Fund.  You must reside or work in one of the following counties to be eligible - Atkinson, Bacon, Baker, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Calhoun, Charlton, Clay, Clinch, Colquitt, Cook, Crisp, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Echols, Grady, Irwin, Lanier, Lee, Lowndes, Miller, Mitchell, Pierce, Randolph, Seminole, Sumter, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Turner, Ware, or Worth.

Withdrawal Policy:

Lodging and course registration costs will be refunded in full if a registrant withdraws from a course prior to the course registration deadline.  No refund will be given for lodging or meals; however, if a registrant withdraws after the course registration deadline.  The balance of the registration fee can be applied towards a future course.  Contact the Program Administrator to withdraw from a course.

Registration Forms:

Every participant must complete the proper registration form below and submit it with payment.  This is an online registration form, but you will be given a choice of paying with a credit card or mailing a check. 

ATEEG Registration June 28-30, 2013 - Core Course 1   No registrations can be accepted after June 18, 2013.

ATEEG Registration November 22-24, 2013 - Core Course 1 No registrations can be accepted after November 12, 2013.

ATEEG Registration July 26-28, 2013 - Core Course 2   No registrations can be accepted after July 16, 2013.

ATEEG Registration January 24-26, 2014 - Core Course 2 No registrations can be accepted after January 14, 2014.

ATEEG Registration September 6-8, 2013 - Core Course 3   No registrations can be accepted after August 27, 2013.

ATEEG Registration February 21-23, 2014 - Core Course 3  No registrations can be accepted after February 11, 2014.


Contact Us:
For more information or questions, please email the Program Administrator .