JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Creekside High School teacher is getting national recognition for her work in environmental sciences. Alicia Pressel, who teaches grades 9-12 at Creekside’s Academy of Engineering and Environment Sciences, was recently named one of eight “Emerging Explorers” by the National Geographic Society. Pressel became the second educator to receive this award out of its more than 130 recipients in 18 years. Mrs. Pressels class out working in the field (Alicia Pressel)Working with the community is a huge part of what Pressel teaches. “The goal is to provide students with opportunities for further projects in our community, focusing on field studies and (geographic information systems) and mapping, understanding special connections with environmental science in our community," Pressel said.