Gilchrest Returns to Teaching

KENNEDYVILLE, MD - After 21 years, Wayne Gilchrest is again teaching in Kent County. But this time, he's doing it outdoors.

About 10 years ago, Gilchrest, a former Kent County High School teacher who served nine terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, read John Wennersten's book, "The Chesapeake Bay: An Environmental Biography," which chronicles the history of human impact on the Bay.

Wennersten's book gave Gilchrest an idea that grew into the Sassafras Environmental Education Center, which officially opened at a ceremony last Tuesday morning at Turner's Creek Pavilion. Gilchrest's goal for the center is for each child in Kent County to visit once a year.

"The plan is, this doesn't happen all at once," he said. "This coming school year, we'll have third- and eighth-grade activities. Next year, third-, fourth-, eighth- and ninth-grade activities. Then five years out, we'll have all the children come out."

Kent County Public Schools Superintendent A. Barbara Wheeler supports integrating the center into the school curriculum.

READ MORE …