LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Louise Levy was nominated by her colleague, David Monroe.

Ms. Levy has done so much more than the duties required of a Biology Teacher at Belchertown High School. At the heart of her work has been the $10,000 Toyota Tapestry Grant that she was awarded, called “Belchertown Biodiversity…Let’s Get Outside." As program director, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership, organization, versatility, determination, and ability to work with students of all ages. This project is ongoing and expanding.

She continues to put in many extra hours each week to make sure that the program continues to succeed. Her time is spent on many different activities; most of which have occurred more than once. She has incorporated outdoor activities into K-12 science, and has helped teachers to develop curricula that can be used perennially. Ms. Levy created a multidisciplinary approach to the lessons that allowed all teachers to accept the place-based learning. The differentiated instruction associated with projects is now being used at all levels. Many K-8 teachers who did not already participate in the past have volunteered to learn.

Ms. Levy continues to be ready, willing and able to personally lead groups for activities. She lets people get their feet wet at many locations, including Lake Wallace, Belchertown Public School Sites, Belchertown Public Buildings, Harvard Forest and other public sites. She created and led the ongoing after school Eco-Mentoring Program, bringing together younger students, high school students, parents, teachers, and community members. They tour the site, collect specimens, evaluate them on site and head back to the classroom to collect data. Partnering high school and elementary students for joint field trips to Lake Wallace and other school sites allows for the collaboration and teamwork of many different age groups. The woodland ecology students continue to partner with elementary students, and her biology students partner with the kindergarteners.

Ms. Levy's behavioral and endpoint expectations result in very successful lessons and field trips. Last year, she coordinated activities with her high school students, and over 400 second and third graders as well. Ms. Levy collaborated with the high school geography teacher to create a Lake Wallace topographical map making lesson. Most recently, she and her Life on Earth students are collaborating with the Town Planner, sharing their creative ideas toward the development of an educational space and ADA compliant trail.

Working with her school, community, and professional groups, Ms. Levy has spread the program even further. The LEAF (Local Environmental Action Force) Club led and participated in the annual Lake Wallace/Foley Field trail maintenance. The Student Council donated hundreds of flower bulbs that students and faculty planted to improve the landscaping at BHS. Students helped Ms. Levy prepare a Belchertown Biodiversity informational board that was presented at the Humanities Club booth at the Belchertown Fair. She also assisted the Daisy Troop with an activity at Lake Wallace.  
For the Beauty and Biodiversity of Belchertown Exhibition, Ms. Levy connected students, teachers, administration, support staff and community members. At each exhibition, she delivered contained artwork, poetry and photography created by Belchertown students. Exhibitions were displayed across town in each school library, the Clapp Memorial Library, Belchertown Town Hall, The Belchertown Senior Center and Easthampton Savings Bank. Ms. Levy has also engaged in a cooperative program with a graduate student from Northern Illinois University Center, for the Interdisciplinary Study of Language and Literacy. They created a secondary interdisciplinary English and Science unit for grades 7-12. She has also become the district coordinator of the New England Outdoor Writers Association Youth Writing Contest. Over the years, two students won prizes at the state level and others earned an honorable mention.

In terms of her teaching, Ms. Levy embraces differentiated instruction for any student; especially in her woodland ecology and Life on Earth classes. Her teaching style allows students from all levels to succeed. Students recognize their direct and indirect interaction with the environment. Students are given the time and tools to develop a sense of responsibility, allowing them to respond not only to the challenges that the environment faces, but challenges in their lives as well. The woodland ecology and Life on Earth courses have significant academic rigor as well.

In biology, Ms. Levy has developed a program that allows her to get through the multitude of concepts and content areas covered by engaging the students in many STEM activities. She is part of the reason why Belchertown High School continues to rank in the top five schools in Western Massachusetts in Science MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System) exams. Ms. Levy is able to connect with some of the most reluctant learners. She loves what she teaches, and her efforts have helped students to remain in school.

For the last two years, Ms. Levy has also focused her energy on expanding the local elementary organic garden into a town wide program. She was instrumental in organizing the Belchertown Public School Garden Parent Teacher Organization. Recently, they gathered 40 individuals of all ages to build 26 raised beds, prepare the soil and begin planting. They are coordinating with the town to establish a new watering and electrical supply. One of the Boy Scout recently earned his Eagle Scout badge by completing an extensive composting system.

Ms. Levy knows how to lead, delegate and support others for a greater cause. She has been actively involved in evaluating the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and the 2016 Massachusetts Science, Technology and Engineering Curriculum. She continues to be an active member of the K-12 Science Curriculum Writing Committee. 

Ms. Levy is also a member of the Harvard Forest School of Forestry, where she has led teacher professional development meetings over the last eight years. Harvard Forest honored her this year with an award acknowledging her contributions. She is also a member of Massachusetts Environmental Educator Society (MEES). Ms. Levy presented a session on multidisciplinary lessons, using the local environment at a MEES convention. The presentation helped teachers in different school districts use the various activities that have been developed in Belchertown. She also presented a session at the Massachusetts Association of Science Teachers (MAST).

"Louise and I presented her interdisciplinary, multilevel program at the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) convention in Boston," Monroe said. "Most recently, she presented at the MassSTEM Conference and continues to reply to interested participants. She is a contributor to eBird, which is a citizen scientist organization that identifies species of birds, their population, and migration."

Ms. Levy is active with the Massachusetts STEM Initiative through Worcester Polytechnic Institute. As an integral member of the STEM Integration Leadership Team, she is working to incorporate STEM K-12 into the district science curriculum. She also helps organize the annual STEM night for the elementary school. This year, Ms. Levy has been recognized for her contributions by Hampshire County Science Teachers, Massachusetts Association of Science Teachers and Massachusetts Audubon.

"Louise Levy has earned the privilege to be recognized as a Lifechanger of the Year," Monroe said. "She is respected by peers, students, parents, administration and community members. Her tireless enthusiasm is infectious. She continues to demonstrate professionalism and excellence via varied teaching practices, professional development, collaboration and cooperation at the district, community, state and national levels. I am privileged and proud to have her as a member of The Belchertown High School Science Department and as a colleague in Biology. She makes a difference."