Empowering Teachers to Use Their School Gardens

By Aneri Rodriguez

School gardens play an important role in our school communities as a space for learning and connecting with nature. Yet, while 50% of California schools have dedicated garden spaces, fewer than 9% actively use them. 

Not on our watch! SEI has been a long supporter of garden education throughout the Bay Area, and is continuing to do so through their latest program: Energize Schools Garden Hub. ESGH is providing free services to elementary schools throughout San Francisco to help school communities engage with their garden. Teachers and school community members want to be empowered and excited to support their school gardens, and ESGH meets you where you are. We offer training workshops, instructional support, maintenance planning support, and access to garden curriculum and resources.

One partner school, Dolores Huerta Elementary School,  wanted to ensure that their educators felt prepared and ready to teach in the garden at least once a week this school year. In mid-August, two SEI team members facilitated a training with all of Dolores Huerta’s educators (TK to 5th grade) to introduce them to the ESGH Garden Curriculum and how to position themselves for success in the garden. After receiving this training, one educator expressed that they are, “ready to take our students outdoors and teach them!” 
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Are you interested in checking out our Garden Curriculum? Email [email protected] to request access today.