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PDS Teacher Honored for Environmental Leadership

Princeton – Princeton Day School is proud to announce that Upper School English teacher Liz Cutler has been selected by the Princeton Environmental Commission to receive a 2009 Sustainable Princeton Leadership Award.

Head of School Paul J. Stellato applauded the commission’s action, saying “It is fitting that the Princeton Environmental Commission has chosen to recognize Liz, as both Princeton Day School and the larger Princeton community benefit from her wisdom and passion.”

Ms. Cutler, whose passion has inspired countless students and parents, is a longtime advocate for protecting the environment who also serves as Princeton Day School Sustainability Coordinator.

Under her guidance, PDS has launched a strategic initiative including a PreK-12 curriculum integrating sustainability issues, a campus organic garden and energy conservation measures, resulting in several awards such as First Place among independent schools in the 2009 National Green Cup Challenge.

With “reduce, reuse, recycle and educate” as her motto, Ms. Cutler has motivated PDS to work toward sustainable practices from the cafeteria to the maintenance department, as well as to foster a sense of stewardship among students by involving them more in the upkeep of campus.

Ms. Cutler founded and continues to serve as advisor to the Upper School EnAct (Environmental Action) Club. She encourages parents to learn along with their children, working closely with an active Parents Association committee promoting environmental awareness and action such as carpooling and energy conservation.

In addition, Ms. Cutler in 2007 founded OASIS, Organizing Action on Sustainability in Independent Schools, a consortium of 17 area schools dedicated to learning about and promoting sustainability on campus. 

“Particularly here in the United States and at schools such as Princeton Day School, we are training the generation that can either solve the problem of resource depletion – or add to it significantly. Students are our biggest carbon footprint,” Ms. Cutler said. “Princeton Day School strives to raise students whose values lead them to understand the consequences of their actions, and who know how to make choices with a long-term vision.”

The 2009 Sustainable Princeton Leadership Awards will be presented at 7 p.m. Jan. 11 at the Princeton Public Library in conjunction with the Princeton Environmental Film Festival.