Oldenburg Academy Teacher Receives Lilly Teacher Creativity Fellowship

The fellowship will take Helen Yane to Slovenia.

Helen Yane. Photo provided.

(Oldenburg, Ind.) - Oldenburg Academy teacher Helen Yane has been awarded the Lilly Teacher Creativity Fellowship.

According to the Lilly Endowment, this competitive program “enables educators to pursue their dreams and passions, explore new areas of interest, and develop new and existing talents.”

Ms. Yane’s proposal, entitled "Seeking Sustainability: A Tour of Slovenia’s Green Initiatives and Tourist Farm Economy," reflects her deep commitment to environmental education. Yane frequently combines literature and environmental studies to educate her students about the importance of ecological stewardship. Whether analyzing Thoreau’s Walden, taking walks in the woods, or gaining knowledge through field trips, she prioritizes immersive, hands-on learning experiences because she knows the impact they can have. Just as Yane’s classroom curriculum aims to cultivate a deeper sense of responsibility toward the world around us, her tour will heighten that sense of commitment in herself.

“The project I submitted grew from a desire to renew my own advocacy and improve my classroom instruction,” said Yane.

During a four week stay in Slovenia with her family, she will discuss sustainability initiatives with program leaders, learn about agricultural practices, and enjoy time in nature.

“Exploring Slovenia’s successful environmental programs will enhance my teaching and equip me with the tools to promote broader adoption of sustainable practices at Oldenburg Academy. Thanks to the generosity of the Lilly Endowment, this invaluable experience will benefit my community, my students, and myself," Yane added.

Highlights of her travels include:

• Participating in sustainability tours of Ljubljana to learn about urban design, green spaces, and bike infrastructure.
• Visiting Slovenian schools to discuss how they successfully integrate sustainability into their curriculum.
• Engaging with the Green Nudge program at the University of Ljubljana, which promotes eco-conscious behaviors through small, impactful changes.
• Hiking through Triglav National Park, exploring the Soča Valley and Brda regions, and learning about the country's alpine and wetland ecosystems.
• Staying at sustainable tourist farms to experience eco-friendly agricultural practices and farm-to-table living.

A personal element makes her renewal project even more meaningful. “This journey is an opportunity to explore my family’s heritage,” Yane explained. “It is this connection that cemented my desire to visit Slovenia—to trace my roots and see the places my great-grandparents once called home.