🌊From Learner to Leader

A Career Passport for High School & Career-Ready Learners


A Gateway to Careers in the Stormwater Industry


Central Focuses:

From Learner to Leader prepares career-ready students to step confidently into the stormwater and environmental industries by building real-world skills, exploring professional pathways, and connecting education to workforce opportunities.


Narrative Theme:

Sergeant Stormwater is preparing to pass the torch. The Degraders are evolving, and Earth’s water needs skilled protectors now more than ever. Will you rise to the challenge and become the next generation of Stormwater Professionals?

Overview:

From Learner to Leader isn’t just about education — it’s about launching real careers.


This career-focused program bridges the gap between classroom learning and the stormwater workforce, giving students the technical insights, practical experience, and professional skills needed to step confidently into jobs that make a difference.


Through role exploration, hands-on field activities, resume-building workshops, and mock interviews, students experience what it’s really like to work in the stormwater and environmental sectors.


Whether students plan to pursue college, trade school, or jump straight into a technical career, From Learner to Leader gives them the tools to succeed — and to lead.


Key Features:


  • Real Career Exploration: Students meet real-world job roles, salary ranges, and day-to-day responsibilities in stormwater careers.


  • Skill Development: Resume building, inspection practice, interview preparation, and communication skills strengthen career readiness.


  • Hands-On Projects: Students conduct site inspections, propose BMP improvements, and reflect on professional growth.


  • Career Pathway Mapping: Visual "Path to Pro" posters help students see tangible next steps in their personal career journeys.


  • Workforce Connection: Bonus resources connect students to live job boards, certifications, apprenticeships, and industry contacts.


From Learner to Leader empowers the next generation to move forward with clarity, purpose, and the confidence to make an impact in stormwater protection — and beyond.

Educational Value:

From Learner to Leader is "career-focused," it very clearly supports Common Core, NGSS, and STEM integration, particularly at the college and career readiness level.

Common Core and NGSS Alignment


Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS):

  • While this program focuses on career readiness, it also strongly supports Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Science and Engineering Practices:


  • SEP 1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems
  • Students define local environmental challenges during inspection and BMP projects.


  • SEP 2: Developing and Using Models
  • Students build conceptual models through mapping exercises and BMP improvement plans.


  • SEP 6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
  • Students design BMP improvements and draft proposals based on site needs and environmental data.


  • HS-ETS1-2:
  • Students evaluate solutions to real-world environmental challenges (stormwater management practices).


  • HS-ESS3-3:
  • Students apply scientific principles to monitor and minimize human impacts on the environment through their inspection reports and proposals.

Common Core State Standards (CCSS):



From Learner to Leader is fully aligned with Common Core Anchor Standards in Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening — particularly in career readiness and workforce preparation areas:


  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.4, W.7, W.8
  • Students produce clear and coherent writing (resumes, inspection reports, BMP proposals).


  • Students conduct short research projects on career pathways and local environmental challenges.


  • Students gather and evaluate information to support career exploration and stormwater solutions.


  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.1, SL.4, SL.5
  • Students participate in collaborative discussions (mock interviews, team BMP projects).


  • Students present information clearly and persuasively (career proposal presentations, stormwater improvement plans).


  • CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP4 (Model with Mathematics)
  • Students apply basic math modeling in mapping exercises, erosion calculations (if extended from inspections), and BMP design proposals.

STEM Integration:

Science -  Understanding stormwater systems, pollutants, BMP solutions.


Technology -  Using digital tools for resume building, LinkedIn creation, and optionally DIS mapping.


Engineering -  Designing BMP improvements and planning site solutions.


Math - Measuring, mapping, calculating runoff or impervious surface percentages.


The career exploration itself is an applied STEM activity, connecting academic knowledge to real-world environmental and engineering pathways — a key STEM education goal!

MS4 Compliance Support:

The From Learner to Leader Career Passport directly supports MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) Public Education and Outreach minimum control measures by preparing career-ready learners to understand, communicate, and act on stormwater management principles.


Key MS4 Compliance Connections:


  • Public Awareness Expansion:
    Students learn about stormwater systems, pollution sources, and BMP solutions — increasing overall community literacy about stormwater protection.


  • Behavior Change Education:
    Activities like stormwater inspections, BMP improvement plans, and "Adopt a Drain" initiatives directly encourage behaviors that reduce pollutant discharges into municipal systems.


  • Workforce Development:
    This program strengthens the future stormwater workforce pipeline by introducing students to career paths in inspection, maintenance, planning, and engineering — supporting long-term MS4 program sustainability.


  • Community Engagement Projects:
    Assignments such as public education stencil campaigns, BMP design proposals, and policy suggestions create direct outreach to local residents, fulfilling MS4 community involvement goals.


  • Real-World Systems Thinking:
    Students engage in hands-on system inspections and mapping activities, developing an understanding of municipal infrastructure, maintenance needs, and illicit discharge risks — critical MS4 knowledge areas.


  • Support for Senior Project Initiatives:
    The Career Passport includes guidance for independent or capstone projects tied to stormwater public education, giving MS4 programs valuable outreach partnerships with local schools.



From Learner to Leader doesn't just educate — it equips students to be active participants in protecting municipal stormwater systems today and to become the stormwater professionals who will maintain them tomorrow.

What's Included in the Mission Pack:

Category Item Description
Teacher Tools Full Teacher Curriculum Guide Includes pacing suggestions, project rubrics, daily breakdowns for 1-week or 2-week delivery, and CTE alignment tips.
Editable Presentation Slides Pre-built, customizable PowerPoint templates to guide instruction for each module.
Career Field Guide Printable booklet covering stormwater career options, educational paths, and salary expectations.
Master Student Workbook Includes all printable worksheets: Career Exploration, Resume Builder, Soft Skills Self-Assessment, Inspection Reports, BMP Planning, and Mock Interview Reflection.
Job Role Cards Hands-on cards describing real-world stormwater roles like Engineer, Inspector, Planner, and Maintenance Tech, with responsibilities and career facts.
Resume Builder Template Structured guide to help students create their first professional resume step-by-step.
LinkedIn Setup Guide Easy instructions for students to create a professional online presence for networking and job searching.
Mock Inspection Report Template Real-world inspired form for conducting and reporting school site stormwater inspections.
Path to Pro Poster Visual career roadmap showing high school to first job to advanced environmental careers.
Certificate of Completion Printable certificates recognizing students' successful completion of the Career Passport.
Career Guest Speaker Invite Template Ready-to-use letter template to invite professionals for classroom visits or virtual guest speaking events.
Activities & Exercises Career Field Recon - Meet the Pros Investigate real stormwater careers and discover where your strengths and passions could take you.
Resume Launch Station Build a professional resume that highlights your skills, experiences, and future career goals.
Field Agent Inspection Drill Conduct a Stormwater Inspection. Patrol your campus like a real stormwater inspector and draft your first environmental field report.
Interview Readiness Ops Practice answering real-world interview questions and polish the communication skills employers want.
Innovation Engineering Challeng Design a BMP Improvement Plan. Research local environmental challenges and propose a stormwater BMP improvement like a professional engineer.
Path to Pro Navigation Map out your personal career journey, from first certifications to dream career goals, using the "Path to Pro" ladder.

Unlock Your Future: Interactive Career Command Access at Defenders Headquarters

By enrolling in From Learner to Leader, students gain exclusive access to the Stormwater Defenders Career Command Headquarters — a high-powered digital hub designed to bridge the gap between learning and launching a real career in the stormwater and environmental industries.


Inside the Career Command, students embark on a guided journey packed with critical workforce tools, insider career knowledge, and real-world action steps — all designed to empower them to move from high school learners to career-ready leaders.

Here's the Journey Your Students will Embark on:

🎥 Career Intel Briefing Room:
Dive into video interviews with real professionals across stormwater careers — from inspectors to engineers — and learn what it takes to thrive in the field.


📝 Resume Launchpad:
Access guided templates and real examples to build a professional resume that gets attention and showcases your skills.


🔗 Networking Navigation Zone:
Learn how to set up a LinkedIn profile the right way — building a network and opening doors to real career opportunities.


🛠️ Field Agent Training Lab:
Use provided tools like the Inspection Report Template and BMP Design Planning Sheet to practice real-world skills valued by employers.


🛣️ Path to Pro Roadmap Center:
Follow a visual, step-by-step guide that maps your journey from high school to first certification, first job, and beyond into leadership positions in the stormwater industry.


📲 Fast Pass Career Connections:
Scan QR codes for instant access to job boards, internships, apprenticeships, and even free certifications to kickstart your career.