Hollywood middle school teacher honored by White House for climate-change action

A physical education teacher at a Hollywood middle school was honored Monday at the White House for reducing energy use and encouraging environmental practices at her school.

Linda Gancitano, a physical education teacher at Driftwood Middle School Academy of Health and Wellness, is one of eight people who the White House named “Champions of Change for Climate Education and Literacy.”

The award is part of the White House’s Climate Education and Literacy Initiative. The program, launched in December 2014, is part of President Barack Obama’s Climate Change Action Plan and looks to educate people about climate change. The champions of change honor highlights those who encourage students, educators and citizens to find solutions to environmental problems through increasing science-based understanding about the issues.

Gancitano started the DMS Green Team in 2008. She led a challenge at the school called “How Long Can You Go” to reduce energy-use and teach kids how to become energy auditors. She has been recognized as the Florida green school teacher of the year, DMS teacher of the year and Broward County physical education teacher of the year.

During the event, White House officials spoke followed by a discussion with the champions moderated by Marshall Shepard, a Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor of Geography and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Georgia.

This story was originally published February 9, 2015 at 1:06 PM with the headline "Hollywood middle school teacher honored by White House for climate-change action."