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Certification Program At-A-Glance
Certification Step by Step:
Step 1. Application
Attend a training or download the certification planning guide to familiarize yourself with the competencies to select the level of certification that is right for you. Submit your application to CAEE with a $25 application fee ($65 for non-members). Applicants will receive admission notification and information about upcoming trainings or useful resources for building their portfolios within one month of his/her submission.
Download Application in Word Format
Step 2. Optional Mentor Assignment
You have the option of working with a mentor to complete your application. Please contact your assigned mentor at least one month prior to portfolio submission, in order to provide sufficient time to schedule meetings by phone or in person.
Step 3. Portfolio Development-
This certification process is a competency-based program - one where the applicant will demonstrate what they know and can do through a portfolio. There are five themes that an applicant should be proficient in to achieve certification: Environmental Literacy, Foundations of EE, Professional Responsibilities of the Environmental Educator, Planning and Implementing EE, and Evaluation and Assessment. Each theme includes competencies — statements of what individuals are expected to be able to demonstrate.
What should a portfolio include?
Include the portfolio planning guide that lists the evidence you have included in your portfolio and any helpful information you want reviewers to know as they review your portfolio (i.e. page numbers to reference, etc.)
Anything and everything that demonstrates your achievements in environmental education and shows reviewers that you know each of the competencies.
Explore suggested assessments that meet the portfolio requirements to get you started.
Find helpful resources to learn more about each of the certification themes.
*Remember, if you are completing a master level certification, you must submit evidence for each of the competencies. If you are completing a portfolio as a Certified Environmental Educator, you only need to submit evidence that shows understanding of the theme as a whole.
Step 4.Submit the Final Application
When you feel your portfolio adequately addresses the competencies, submit:
- Cover page (Download in Word or PDF)
- Current Resume
- Completed Portfolio Planning Guide
- Portfolio
- Certification Fee
- Signed copy of the Colorado Environmental Education Code of Ethics and Standards for Professional Conduct
Portfolios can be mailed or dropped off at the CAEE offices in Golden. Email any electronic portions of your submission to CAEE.
CAEE
15260 S. Golden Rd.
Golden, CO 80401
Step 5. Application Review
A Certification Peer Review Panel, composed of trained certified educators, will review each application based on the rubric in the Portfolio Planning Guide. Individuals appointed to the panel must exemplify high standards of professional judgment, competence and integrity and are required to have Level 1: Master Environmental Educator Certification. Click here for more information on who will review your submission.
Step 6. Notification
Certification will be confirmed or denied in writing from the Certification Peer Review Panel.This certification program is a competency-based process. In addition to the files above, applicants are encouraged to refer to the Guidelines for Environmental Educators in Colorado (CAEE 2005) for additional examples and specific information for each competency.