Michele Drucker, her dog alongside, was cruising in a motorboat along the Indian River Lagoon. She recalled her childhood wonder at seeing manatees, wading birds, and plenty of fish and dolphins frolicking in and around the water.
Slowly and sadly, however, the beauty of these waters became murky due to toxic green algae, man-made impacts, and slowly.
She said that those early memories and the things I see happening in the (Biscayne Bay) Bay are what motivate me now.
Drucker has been the MAST Parent Teacher Student Association’s (PTSA) Green Champions since 2016. This group brings together parents and students to reduce the school’s environmental impact. The PTSA established a permanent vice president position in 2020 to promote sustainability in all school activities.
MAST Academy was awarded the Golden Apple award by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection last week after it received Gold certification from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Drucker, who has lived in Coral Gables 30 years, stated that he was excited about the school.
The Golden Apple is part the larger goal of the MASTPTSA Green Champions to be the first zero-waste school in Florida. It is a goal that students spontaneously voted to support in 2017, during an auditorium presentation about sea level rise.
Drucker said that it’s not about winning awards. It’s about getting clean electricity in schools, reducing cost, and showing students the actions they can take for our coastal environment.
The program was successful because parents were able to volunteer their support.
Drucker explained that teachers are scattered thin and schools only have the resources necessary to be reactive in fixing a leaking pipe, or a broken light fixture.
These changes are important for children, but they cannot be achieved by themselves. Students are enthusiastic and have the energy to tackle ambitious projects. However, they lack the skills or maturity to navigate red tape or access community funding. Parental involvement creates a powerful multiplier effect.
The students’ efforts were not forgotten. MAST was selected by the U.S. Dept. of Education Green Ribbon Schools in 2019 and has won the Florida PTA State Environmental Award each year since 2016, with the assistance of Allan Miller, an engineer at MAST.
Drucker stated that MAST’s work has been a model for other schools and that we continue to pursue awards because it builds awareness and momentum.
Florida Green Schools recognizes schools who reduce their environmental footprint in six key areas.
-
Energy reduction
-
Waste reduction
-
Water reduction
-
Air quality
-
Transport
-
Communications
Drucker stated that schools participating in the Florida Green Schools program need to recertify their designations every three years in order to keep their status active.
She said that it builds accountability and long-term success. It (also) demonstrates collective action, persistence, and focus, which are all great life skills that our children can see in action.
These are Drucker’s final months as MAST PTSA’s Green Champions. Her older son graduated MAST in 2020. He is currently studying music and environmental science at Tulane University.
Max, her younger son, will not be able to see the school reach its 2017 student-driven goal. However, Drucker believes that MAST can still achieve it with the right leadership.
Mari Tere Rojas from Miami-Dade County Public Schools Board has seen the commissioned plan by PTSAs for adding rooftop solar to MAST. The new principal, Dr. Cadian Collinsman-Perez is equally critical.
Drucker stated that MAST will continue to be a beacon of light and live up its marine stewardship legacy through its vision and leadership.
Council member Allison McCormick was among others who praised Drucker’s efforts at last week’s Village of Key Biscayne Education Advisory Board.
McCormick said that she did a great job with the children. Anyone who knows of any great candidates for this position is needed.
Drucker will keep an eye on MAST and her progress, even though she is taking a break from her role. Her husband isn’t convinced she will slow down.
We laughed because he said that he didn’t know when you would stop. Maybe if I told you that the planet is all right now, then maybe you will stop.
