Mike Todd has taught science at Ames High School since 2006. He was awarded a Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Education in 2013, an Excellence in Science Teaching award from the Iowa Academy of Science in 2014, and a 2017 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. His innovative teaching methods engage his students in student-driven, community-based Environmental Impact Projects that work to transform the environment, community member mindsets, and the students. His students are active in managing and reconstructing prairie, creating a more sustainable school campus, and sustainable food system projects through collaborations with local farmers and the Lexicon of Sustainability.



During the 2015-2016 school year, Mike was part of a collaborative effort that implemented an interdisciplinary senior-level course that explored the intersections of food, farming, government policy, society, and environmental issues. He hopes to continue to develop unique educational opportunities that change the way students see their world and give them the tools to make the changes they want to see through a new educational non-profit he co-founded called The Community Academy (see link above).



Mike is excited about the possibilities of teacher-powered schools and creating models for school that can radically change schools in Iowa, a state where educational experimentation isn't widespread.