RCSD teacher wins national 'Teaching Tolerance' award

Chris Widmaier, a science teacher at Rochester's World of Inquiry School 58, received a "Teaching Tolerance" award from the Southern Poverty Law Center this week, one of five teachers so honored.

The award is given every other year to teachers in grades K-12 who "excel at promoting respect and a passion for justice among students." Widmaier, now in his 12th year in the district, was the only honoree from New York.

► MORE: Rebuilt World of Inquiry impresses staff, students

As a science teacher, much of Widmaier's work involves increasing students' connection to their physical environment. He is involved with the school's Outdoors Club, taking children on camping trips to the Adirondacks and elsewhere, as well as the Greenhouse Club, a collaboration with Hart's Local Grocers.

He and some students also showed a film about environmental problems at this year's Fast Forward Film Festival.

"When people leave my classroom or this school, they should feel empowered by the knowledge and skills they have," he said in a video produced by SPLC. "The end goal is ... you can be empowered in your own life but then it also means you spread that to be of service to the world."

JMURPHY7@Gannett.com