Page 523 - Solid Waste Analysis and Minimization a Systems Approach

WASTE MANAGEMENT GOALS AND OPPORTUNITIES 501

Teachers play an important role in fostering the intellectual and social development
of children during their formative years. The education that teachers impart plays a
key role in determining the future prospects of their students. Whether in preschools
or high schools or in private or public schools, teachers provide the tools and the envi-
ronment for their students to develop into responsible adults.
Teachers act as facilitators or coaches, using classroom presentations or individual
instruction to help students learn and apply concepts in subjects such as science, math-
ematics, or English. They plan, evaluate, and assign lessons; prepare, administer, and
grade tests; listen to oral presentations; and maintain classroom discipline. Teachers
observe and evaluate a student’s performance and potential and increasingly are asked
to use new assessment methods. For example, teachers may examine a portfolio of a
student’s artwork or writing in order to judge the student’s overall progress. They then
can provide additional assistance in areas in which a student needs help. Teachers also
grade papers, prepare report cards, and meet with parents and school staff to discuss a
student’s academic progress or personal problems.
Many teachers use a hands-on approach that uses props or manipulatives to help
children understand abstract concepts, solve problems, and develop critical thought
processes. For example, they teach the concepts of numbers or of addition and sub-
traction by playing board games. As the children get older, teachers use more
sophisticated materials, such as science apparatus, cameras, or computers. They also
encourage collaboration in solving problems by having students work in groups to
discuss and solve problems together. To be prepared for success later in life, students
must be able to interact with others, adapt to new technology, and think through
problems logically.

40.2 Waste Management Goals

and Opportunities

Solid wastes represent a significant loss of natural resources and school district
funds as well as a potential threat to student/staff health and the environment. To be
responsible stewards of environmental quality, school districts should review
processes and operations, and even curriculum choices. They should evaluate the eco-
nomic, educational, and environmental benefits of implementing an effective waste
reduction program.
Incorporating waste reduction as part of the school district’s overall way of doing
business can provide a number of important benefits:

■ Reduced disposal costs
■ Improved worker safety
■ Reduced long-term liability
■ Increased efficiency of school operations
■ Decreased associated purchasing costs