Meet RIEEA board member Zack Sirowich!
Zack Sirowich is an environmental educator, CTE teacher, and adjunct professor based in South Kingstown, Rhode Island. He teaches Agriculture and Marine Professions at Narragansett High School and Environmental Education at the University of Rhode Island. He is also pursuing his Ed.D. in P-20 and Community Leadership at Murray State University, with interests in environmental education, teacher preparation, and building stronger pathways between schools, colleges, and community-based education. A major focus of his work is finding ways to bring the strengths of nonformal environmental education into formal school settings and create more meaningful, hands-on learning experiences for students. Outside of work, Zack is a licensed boat captain and enjoys spending time on the water, fishing, traveling, and exploring the outdoors with his wife, Rachel, and their Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Whaler.
Q&A
What’s your favorite outdoor place in Rhode Island, and why?
My favorite outdoor place in Rhode Island is anywhere on the water between Point Judith Salt Pond and Block Island. What makes it special is the mix of quiet coves, open ocean, wildlife, and changing conditions that make every trip feel a little different. Whether I’m boating, fishing, or just cruising along the coast, it’s where I feel most relaxed and connected to the outdoors.
How did you get involved in the environmental field?
My interest in the environmental field started when I was young, visiting nature centers with my mom. Those early experiences sparked my curiosity about the natural world and eventually led me to study Environmental Science at St. Anselm College. From there, my interests grew into environmental education and finding ways to help others build that same connection to the outdoors.
When/how did you first get involved with RIEEA?
I first got involved with RIEEA while working at The Compass School. Through my work there, I became more connected with Rhode Island’s environmental education community and started learning more about the organization, its network, and the opportunities it creates for educators across the state.
Why did you become a RIEEA board member?
I became a RIEEA board member because I wanted to be more involved in Rhode Island’s environmental education community and help strengthen connections between formal and nonformal educators. I’m especially interested in finding ways to bring the strengths of environmental education into schools while also supporting the organizations and educators already doing this work across the state.
What are you most looking forward to in serving on the RIEEA board?
I’m most looking forward to helping RIEEA build stronger connections between schools and nonformal environmental education organizations across Rhode Island. I hope to bring my experience in K–12 education and CTE to the board. I’m especially interested in expanding partnerships and creating practical resources that help educators bring more hands-on, place-based environmental learning into formal school settings.
Anything else you want us to include in your profile?
One idea that has always stuck with me is that children should have the chance to fall in love with the natural world before being asked to protect it. Time spent exploring, playing, and building a connection to local places can lay the foundation for lifelong environmental stewardship.