2015 Teacher of The Year Ross McCurdy

Wonderful to see this extraordinary teacher and innovator recognized for his many achievements which we've profiled a few times here on Renewable Now.  We consider Ross an important part of the Renewable Now family.

What makes Ross McCurdy different and worthy of awards?  How can we aspire to the same level of success?

Our experience with Ross is that he has amazing energy--teaching, building our labs with the help of Dept of Energy, powering his band and trucks with fuel cells, flying planes on biodiesel and leading the charge in RI on pushing aviation to use biodiesel as the standard. Of course he spends much of his time cultivating great kids.

One person, in this case, Ross McCurdy, can make a dramatic difference in life.  Passion, intelligence, a willingness to share, a bent towards pushing the limits bring great leadership and inspiration to us from people like Ross.  We hope it is infectious and we all catch the wave of change and the spirit of building a better world.

Ross McCurdy & EPA Adm., Gina McCarthy

2015 Teacher of The Year

Ross McCurdy

Rhode island Science Professor

On Saturday, September 5th, ReNewable Now will be awarding their 2015 Teacher of The Year Award. This annual award recognizes the achievements and the dedication made by all teachers and once a year selects one that has stood out in advancing the awareness of sustainability in both the classroom and the community.

This year’s recipient is Rhode Island Science Professor Ross McCurdy of Ponaganset High School. McCurdy has numerous achievements when it comes to inspiring others with the potential of alternative energy. In the classroom he excites students by combining hydrogen fuel cells and recycled cooking oil with Rock & Roll music. In the community, McCurdy takes personal initiatives by showcasing that alternative fuels work just as effectively as traditional fossil fuels. In March 2013, he flew a Cessna 182 from Rhode Island to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina on a blend of 50/50 biofuel.

Most recently, McCurdy was recognized by  the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the White House Council on Environmental Quality with the 2014-2015 Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators.

Ross McCurdy’s achievements, along with many others have not gone unrecognized by ReNewable Now. RN sees education as the cornerstone to moving our society towards a more sustainable future and teachers are paramount in getting all of us there. Presenting the award that day will be Rhode Island College Sustainability Coordinator, Jim Murphy, and ReNewable Now’s Peter Arpin. Jim had this to say about Ross, “Rhode Island College alumnus Ross McCurdy exemplifies the best qualities of the graduates from our Feinstein School of Education and Human Development. He is passionate about his area of expertise — environmental science — and finds innovative ways to instill that same passion in the next generation of Rhode Islanders.

- See more at: http://renewablenow.biz/renewable-education.html#sthash.Cm7AacHJ.dpuf