YP Educator Spotlight: Giangelo "Gio" Leos

We are excited to spotlight Giangelo “Gio” Leos this month as part of the new USCC YP Educator Spotlight program! Gio works at Food Exploration & Discovery, where they include composting/soil education in their K-12 program that grows with students. The organization’s composting/soil education starts with their Compost Champions program for second and third graders. Second graders dig into compost and soil science and support their school compost bin, while third graders maintain a worm bin in their classroom. The program continues to grow with students as Food Exploration and Discovery infuses composting lessons into middle and high school programming.
 
One recommendation that Gio would give educators just getting started in the space is understanding that there are so many cross-curricular connections in compost education that are not limited to science. Mental health, community resiliency, the arts, and multiple subjects can be supported in compost education, and when everyone has access, programs can really grow.
 
When asked what Gio’s favorite memory has been in educating students about compost, Gio reflects on how one of the Compost Champion kids he helped educate now returns as a 6th grader to their community workshops and is fully capable of teaching the adult compost classes. 
 
If you would like to nominate yourself or someone you know to be featured as an upcoming USCC YP Educator Spotlight, fill out the form linked here.