"I have always loved the garden, yet when I was working it alone, I didn't feel my lessons were very good.  Since you have implemented the coordinators/lesson plans that meet state standards, it has been a wonderful experience.  My coordinators are always prepared with supplies, worksheets I can use for grades, and very detailed plans of what is expected for the day. The coordinators have made my garden experience like an outside classroom!"

Sandy Geiger - Third Grade Teacher

"The garden coordinator is a key piece and Jody is EXCELLENT!!! I really enjoy working with her as she is a natural in working with children and very knowledgeable about the subject matter and how it relates to our curriculum. She is also flexible and always listens to my needs with the activities and how best they will relate to my classroom. Teachers are sooooo busy with meeting all the various state, school and student goals, objectives and needs, that time to coordinate garden activities would be very minimal without a coordinator"

Cindy Rack - Third Grade Teacher

"The garden program is a wonderful addition to our school curriculum. It provides students with hands-on experience and the activities cover many of our state standards. There is a lot of planning and organizing that goes into gardening, and it is not something that any school employee has time to do. The maintenance of the garden, the prep of materials, and coordination of schedules and volunteers would be too much of a burden on a classroom teacher. Having a coordinator allows teachers to participate in the program with their classes without the extra burden of preparing for each activity. I would not be willing to participate if there was not a coordinator."

Melanie Laurent - First Grade Teacher