Meraux Foundation Hosts Successful River Institutes to Empower Local Educators

This summer, the Meraux Foundation supported the professional development of  St. Bernard Parish area teachers through two unique programs - one at the Mississippi River’s delta and another at its headwaters. 

Last month, local educators participated in the Mississippi River Delta Institute taking place in St. Bernard and southeastern Louisiana. This week, several of them are in Minnesota at the headwaters of the Mississippi River to also participate in the Mississippi River Institute. 

Both professional development programs strengthen teachers’ knowledge of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education and provide them with engaging activities that they can use in their classrooms with students.

Participation was free for St. Bernard area educators through the generous financial assistance of the Meraux Foundation. 

“MRDI is an engaging educational opportunity that we’re proud to support, enabling hundreds of teachers to gain new experiences and skills and, in turn, helping thousands of students connect classroom learning with the natural world,” said Rita Gue, president of the Meraux Foundation. “These institutes help teachers better integrate outdoor learning into their classrooms. Participants benefit from a range of activities, from canoeing along the coast to exploring intricate flood prevention systems.”

The annual program began in 2015 and traces its roots back a few years earlier to when Meraux Foundation representatives and a delegation of educators from St. Bernard experienced the world-class Rivers Institute presented by Hamline University's Center for Global Environmental Education (CGEE) in St. Paul, Minnesota. Since then, the partnership has thrived. 

“This year’s institute was a huge success,” said Dr. Cara Rieckenberg, a facilitator of MRDI. “Our hard-working and passionate teachers came together to learn from experts, practice new techniques, and network. And they did this during summer vacation, which truly speaks to their commitment to their students.”

The Meraux Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in St. Bernard Parish, and given the parish’s position at the delta of one of the largest river systems in the world, the Institute is especially pertinent. The local program has grown into one of the Foundation’s most prominent environmental initiatives.