Environmental Educator Certification Program
We are excited to announce, PAEE Achieves National Accreditation!
(Press Release, February 2025) The Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Educators (PAEE) has received national accreditation for its Environmental Education certification program from its parent organization the North American Association of Environmental Educators (NAAEE). This rigorous three-year program ensures the candidate demonstrates a deep understanding of the knowledge, skills, and qualities needed to deliver exceptional environmental education programs. Certification readily distinguishes highly qualified professionals and enhances the resumes of those who have attained it. Accredited certification through NAAEE was a stringent, multi-year process. Within the 50 states, PAEE is only one of 7 affiliates offering the national accreditation.
The program is largely self-guided and self-paced, takes one to three years to complete, and requires passing a final exam for certification. PAEE offers scholarships for anyone facing financial barriers to complete the program, which costs between $200 and $300, depending on whether you certify as a formal or non-formal educator.
Board President, Julie Travaglini says, “This is an excellent opportunity for Pennsylvania to play a crucial role in enhancing the importance and validity of non-formal education and making quality environmental education accessible to all Pennsylvanians. The accreditation will enhance the skillsets of environmental educators that go through the course, and be recognized nationwide as a benefit to employing that educator.”
PAEE is a member-driven, statewide, network organization that offers monthly professional development opportunities, environmental education certification, and regional meetups to connect formal and nonformal environmental educators and organizations. PAEE will hold its annual conference Monday, March 10 through March 12, 2025 in Erie, Pennsylvania.
PAEE remains committed to strengthening environmental education across the state, ensuring that certified educators receive the recognition they deserve. The newly accredited EE Certification Program will continue to provide high-quality training and professional development opportunities for educators who are shaping the future of environmental stewardship. We are proud to be one of only seven states offering an accredited program.
PAEE is grateful for the dedication and hard work of Stacey Widenhofer. PAEE also thanks Fran Bires, Holly Travis, Jessica Kester, and Chris Firestone. These individuals ensured the program continued to grow. Dr. Becky Thomas played a key role in laying the groundwork for accreditation. In 2023, with the help of Slippery Rock University interns, we completed the NAAEE accreditation application. Alyssa Doster was instrumental in ensuring momentum was maintained.
From our Administrative Coordinator, Stacey Widenhofer:
Achieving national accreditation is deeply personal for me. It represents years of hard work and the lasting impact of my dear friend and mentor, Ruth Roperti. From the beginning, Ruth was more than a mentor—she became a lifelong friend. Even while juggling the demands of being a dedicated third-grade teacher, Ruth was always invested in PAEE and the importance of environmental education. She asked for my help with PAEE projects, including designing flyers and crafting the very first EE Certification brochure. I had no idea how deeply this time with her would shape my life.
The EE Certification Program’s journey officially began in 2008 when Ruth and Kathleen Paul attended a NAAEE Conference. They saw the need for environmental educators to gain professional recognition and immediately set to work—securing grants, forming partnerships, and hiring a VISTA worker to help move the initiative forward. Their dedication led to the PAEE EE Certification Program’s launch at the PAEE 2013 Conference, a huge milestone for the field of environmental education in Pennsylvania.
August 2023 was a bittersweet moment. I was so excited to share with Ruth that we had submitted the application, knowing how much it meant to her. But only a month later, on September 22, 2023, we lost our dear friend. Even in her passing, her love for PAEE remained evident—she requested that donations be made to PAEE instead of flowers. With those donations, we established a scholarship fund in her honor, ensuring that future EE Certification candidates could continue their journey.
The accreditation process required multiple revisions, with PAEE submitting the final application in August 2024. Then, on January 23, 2025—Ruth’s birthday—we received the incredible news: PAEE’s EE Certification Program had been accredited by NAAEE. The timing could not have been more perfect, as if Ruth herself was celebrating with us.
About the Program
The Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Educators administers a professional certification program to recognize the qualifications that are essential for success in the field of environmental education.
As a ‘PA Certified Environmental Educator‘, you hold a credential that demonstrates a deep understanding of the knowledge, skills, and qualities needed to deliver exceptional environmental education programs.
The EE Certification program is largely self-guided (with oversight from our committee) and can take up to 3 years to complete. Our goal is that the certification will be respected and recognized by employers, audiences, and funders throughout the region.
40 hours of ACT 48 are available. These can be claimed yearly ($10 each year) or after the program is complete (one-time fee of $10).
* All requirements for our EE Certification Program need to be completed AFTER your application has been approved. You have 3 years to complete the process. *
Program Requirements
- Be a PAEE Member
- Complete a work sample portfolio including evidence of program development, delivery and evaluation
- Submit written reflections on books and other resources included in the EE Certification reading list
- Attend EE Certification workshops at the annual PAEE conference. (There may be other opportunities to complete this task with PAEE’s monthly Professional Development Series. You can find that information HERE. )
- Non Formal Educators – Pass the Environmental Literacy Test (we recommend doing this towards the end of the process. A passing score is 80% or greater.). You will email us to schedule the test. ($90)
Certified PA Teachers – You can take the PDE Environmental Education Instructional Certification. ($200)
(More information about the official PA Environmental k-12 Instructional Certificate testing and qualification info for this certification:
* Testing Requirements
* Certificates in Pennsylvania Types and Codes
- Recertify every 5 years (after 3 recertifications you are certified for life).
Next Steps
- Review the summary of the manual (requirements, etc) HERE.
- Complete the application and send that with your letter of support and resume to stacey@paee.net.
- The EE Certification committee will review your information and a decision of acceptance will be made within 2 weeks of your submission.
- Confirm your PAEE Membership status ($20-$30/year)
- After notification of acceptance pay the $100 application fee.
- Complete your portfolio using guidance from the manual.
- Schedule, take, and pass (80% or more) the Environmental Literacy Test ($90).
Interested in Being a Mentor or on the Committee for the PAEE EE Certification Program?
- Mentors are seasoned educators who want to share their knowledge and expertise in assisting and advising a candidate who has enrolled in PAEE’s EE Certification program.
- We are always looking for individuals to serve on the EE Certification Committee. We welcome professionals with all backgrounds and employment histories.
- If you are interested in being on the committee or a mentor for candidates in our program, please complete this form. If you choose to be on the committee, we will be in touch. If you sign up to be a mentor you will be added to our list and we will not give out your name or contact information prior to your consent.
