Advanced Training for Environmental Education in Georgia (ATEEG) is a 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?" 

Register NOW for ATEEG! 

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. Links to the Registration and Lodging Forms and contact information for the ATEEG Program Administrator are also provided.

 

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 credit can be accumulated 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.  Work toward this requirement is initiated 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: 

Core Course 3 (Assessment and Evaluation) will be offered February 24-26, 2012 and held at DNR’s Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center in Mansfield, Georgia.  The course will begin at 1:00 pm on Friday and adjourn at noon on Sunday. Early bird registration through February 3, 2012.  No registrations can be accepted after February 14, 2012.

Core Course 1  (Foundations of Environmental Education) will be offered June 15-17, 2012 and held at DNR’s Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center in Mansfield, Georgia. The course will begin at 1:00 pm on Friday and adjourn at noon on Sunday. Early bird registration through May 25, 2012. No registrations can be accepted after June 5, 2012.

Core Course 2 (Fostering Learning) will be offered July 27-29, 2012 and held at DNR’s Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center in Mansfield, Georgia. The course will begin at 1:00 pm on Friday and adjourn at noon on Sunday. Early bird registration through July 6, 2012. No registrations can be accepted after July 17, 2012.

Core Course 3 (Assessment and Evaluation) will be offered September 28-30, 2012 and held at DNR’s Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center in Mansfield, Georgia.  The course will begin at 1:00 pm on Friday and adjourn at noon on Sunday. Early bird registration through September 7, 2012.  No registrations can be accepted after September 18, 2012.

Expectations of Participants:
1. Participants are required to attend all three Core Courses. 
2. Participants must complete all assignments and score 80 percent or higher to receive the ATEEG Certificate.
3. Participants are required to sign a Code of Ethics for environmental educators after completing the Core Course workshops.
4. Participants who complete the ATEEG Program may be asked to volunteer as a  mentor for new participants entering the program.
5. Participants are responsible for submitting all paperwork required to receive credit for their efforts fulfilling the Specialization Workshops requirement.
6. 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. 
7. If you participated in the previous environmental education certification program offered in Georgia from 2002 – 2006, and wish to receive credit for courses taken, contact the ATEEG Program Administrator for more information.

Assessments:

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. 

Scholarships are currently available for south Georgia educators through the Murray H. Gaskins, Sr. Fund. 

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

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 on-line registration form, but you will be given a choice of paying with a credit card or mailing a check.

ATEEG Registration Form for February 24-26, 2012(Core Course 3, Includes lodging options if making just one payment for lodging and class registration.) Early bird registration through February 3, 2012. No registrations can be accepted after February 14, 2012.

Lodging Form for February 24-26 2012 (Core Course 3, Use this form if you need to pay for lodging separately from the class registration.  You may also use this form if you only need a separate receipt and want to combine payment into one check.) No registrations can be accepted after February 14, 2012.

ATEEG Registration June 15-17, 2012 - Core Course 1 (Includes lodging options if making just one payment for lodging and class registration.) Early bird registration through May 25, 2012. No registrations can be accepted after June 5, 2012.

 ATEEG Lodging June 15-17, 2012 - Core Course 1 (Use this form if you need to pay for lodging separately from the class registration.  You may also use this form if you only need a separate receipt and want to combine payment into one check.) No registrations can be accepted after June 5, 2012.

ATEEG Registration July 27-29, 2012 - Core Course 2  ( Includes lodging options if making just one payment for lodging and class registration.) Early bird registration through July 6, 2012. No registrations can be accepted after July 17, 2012.

ATEEG Lodging July 27-29, 2012 - Core Course 2 (Use this form if you need to pay for lodging separately from the class registration.  You may also use this form if you only need a separate receipt and want to combine payment into one check.) No registrations can be accepted after July 17, 2012.

ATEEG Registration September 28-30, 2012 - Core Course 3 ( Includes lodging options if making just one payment for lodging and class registration.) Early bird registration through September 7, 2012. No registrations can be accepted after September 18, 2012.

ATEEG Lodging September 28-30, 2012 - Core Course 3 (Use this form if you need to pay for lodging separately from the class registration.  You may also use this form if you only need a separate receipt and want to combine payment into one check.) No registrations can be accepted after September 18, 2012.

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