As a teacher for AP Environmental, Heather Clayton teaches their class the importance of the atmosphere and the climate. While reading this story there is a probable chance that the environment is being hurt by humans in such a common way. “Warming temperatures impact things like severe weather events, agriculture, sea level, and more, “ Clayton said. 

Clayton is a big influence on the kids that are learning this subject by telling them how to help fix it. “I had a fourth grade teacher that was particularly kind when I was going through a turbulent time in my life,“ Clayton said. This teacher was also a big influence on Heather Clayton by making her day better then what it was before. Heather Clayton helps her students explore the environment by showing how it works and showing the problems that it is dealing with.  

There are so many things that we do to hurt the environment such as water pollution, plastic pollution, air pollution, and climate change. Even though we humans are the biggest problems for the environment there are ways to help fix it. “Being mindful of our consumption and waste, raising awareness about environmental issues, and participating in restoration events are just a few, “ Clayton said. 

The biggest thing for Clayton when she teaches is the kids. The kids that she teaches are such a big part of her life. “Young people are the decision makers of tomorrow, and I believe that education is a critical part of a better future,” Clayton said. She shows how important teaching younger people has an impact on this world.

For example Brianna Spooner is one of the students Clayton has an impact on when teaching. “I feel like people don’t really know a lot about the environment and how it really works,” Spooner said.

Clayton makes this class important for students such as Ellie Sandifer. “ I want to go into science when I’m older, and it just helps me widen my choices to see what I’m actually interested in,” Sandifer said.