By Chris Bickel

I graduated from the New Jersey Learns program in 2009.  I didn’t know it then, but my understanding of sustainability as it related to environmental literacy would drastically change.  I’ve moved away from compartmentalizing my ideas and actions, seeing instead their inter-connections and interdependence in a more fluid way. Now, I look for broader and higher level ideas and stewardship.  For example, early on I co-chaired two large environmental fairs and a compact fluorescent bulb distribution in the township of Livingston, NJ.  I thought each separate event was a success.  I “checked” it off my list and told myself, “You are doing your part, Chris.”  However, NJ Learns taught me to think “upstream” and go to the source of the problem.  I decided to bring my learning back to my position as a Supervisor of Social Studies for grades K-12 in Livingston NJ.