The FoHVOS mission includes inspiring the next generation of conservation and we can think of no one better to help us achieve that lofty objective than Helen Corveleyn. Anyone who has spent time with Ms. Corveleyn can attest that she is truly a Force of Nature.
As an award-winning teacher and the pied piper of scientific pursuits, she leads every child crossing her path to happily engage in her latest ecological project. Helen Corveleyn is an enthusiastic conservation evangelist with far-reaching influence.
She comes by her passion naturally. If there is a conservation gene, Helen was born with it. She has always been captivated by nature and the outdoors. Growing up in nearby Montgomery, she became involved in scouting in elementary school and traveled to national parks across the US every summer throughout secondary school.
Ms. Corveleyn knew that her career would include advocating for the earth. She majored in environmental policy at Marist. Her mother, a teacher, encouraged her to add education as a practical consideration since environmental policy is subject to fickle swings in national political whims.
Helen was glad she took her mom’s advice. After spending time in a classroom, she was hooked. “Unlike adults that often have fixed ideas about conservation, children easily learn to connect with nature.” Helen explains, “All it takes is a little exposure.”
In her position as a STEM facilitator at Hopewell Elementary school, Ms. Corveleyn visits all kindergarten through fifth grade classes. She not only teaches and writes curriculum but also leads academic extras like the Green Team. Her special lunchtime projects regularly attract from 18 to 40 students volunteering to forgo recess for an opportunity to spend extra time immersed in science.
Ms. Corveleyn’s infectious enthusiasm quickly spread throughout the Hopewell Elementary community earning her nominations and ultimately recognition as the 2019 NJ Governor’s Educator of The Year.
What makes Ms. Corveleyn’s instruction so compelling is that all lessons include experiential learning. Whether digging in the dirt to explore pill bugs and worms, or just mindfully breathing outdoors to learn about atmosphere, students are always actively engaged. Fifth-grade classes did comprehensive research on food waste by auditing the cafeteria garbage and employed statistical analysis for their findings. A group attended the Hopewell Borough council environmental policy discussions and advocated for the recently enacted plastic bag ban.
Ms. Corveleyn pioneers new projects and secures resourceful funding for her creative initiatives. A FOHVOS Trustee referred to her as a “grant ninja” with good reason. Sustainable Jersey, BASF, HVEF, and the Hopewell Elementary PTO all provided grants for the Hopewell Elementary partnership with Princeton University’s Vertical Farming Project that uses indoor hydroponic garden towers to provide kids with fresh, organic produce for lunch and an invaluable introduction to hands on, cutting edge scientific development.
As a result of this groundbreaking project, New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H Fisher presented Hopewell Elementary with the Best in New Jersey Farm to School Award.
Ms. Corveleyn generously shares fund-raising and curricular experience. “Money is always available for good STEM education,” explains Ms. Corveleyn, “I have offered to help other schools and teachers find funding for their innovative projects.” She assisted TCNJ with securing tower gardens and will be speaking at their environmental summit.
In addition to her local STEM initiatives, Ms. Corveleyn works with a national STEM think tank known as 100k in 10, (100kin10.org), that seeks to add 100,000 more excellent STEM teachers to America’s classrooms by 2021. She utilizes her policy experience in a project group that helps school districts and policy makers seek out productive models to increase STEM teacher retention through integrating professional growth opportunities.
Conservation and education pervades every aspect of her life. She is mother of three children in grades K, 5, and 7, who all get plenty of ecological exposure. Helen is also a Girl Scout leader and is currently working on her Masters Degree in Conservation Biology in a program at Miami of Ohio that includes several international ecological adventures. Last year she went to Baja and this year will go to Borneo to study primates for two weeks. Her work will include a homestay with indigenous people. Her life experiences enrich her worldview and further expand her ability to give back to the community.
FoHVOS is fortunate to name Helen Corveleyn as our March Force of Nature as she continues to inspire the next generation of conservation in Hopewell Valley and beyond.
