Here is what past scholarship recipients have had to say about their summer workshop experiences:
“Thank you very much for sponsoring my experience at Shelburne Farms – Foundations in Ed for Sustainability this past July! It was challenging, informative, and will most definitely impact my practice! The place is idyllic and a welcome respite from NYC! Thank you for all your organization does to support teachers to enrich their practice. We’re so lucky to have you in our court!” Participant: Shelburne Farms’s Foundations in Education Sustainability
“I thoroughly enjoyed the course… [it] was extremely well-organized and well-taught with opportunities to learn as adults and to reflect on our roles as educators … We were encouraged to interact with our fellow classmates and explore on our own through the amazing botanic gardens and learning greenhouse. As a result of the course, I was [made] aware of the STEM days at BBG and brought my 6th and 7th grade bilingual class … for the tour and activities in the Discovery Garden with side peeks into some of the greenhouses.” Participant, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s What Did A Plant Ever Do For You?
“I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the City Gardens Club for making this educator’s week possible. Your support has not only enriched my teaching but has also empowered me to inspire future generations to become responsible stewards of our planet. I am excited to embark on this sustainability journey with my students and fellow educators, and I am confident that our efforts will bring about positive change in our school and community. With gratitude and enthusiasm.” Participant: Shelburne Farms Education for Sustainability
“I am still in a delightful daze from my incredible week in Hog Island. It is the perfect blend of calming retreat and packed workshops that make my mind and my body relax and yet also feel invigorated…….My only wish is that every NYC educator could experience the magic, the community, the learning I experienced at Hog Island.” Participant: Hog Island Audubon Camp
“[The course] was very well organized and well taught. Each day we had hands-on workshops and guest speakers….I plan to incorporate more practical uses for the herbs and vegetables we are growing….I also loved the roof gardens and learned a lot about practicalities of increasing the yield of a garden.” Participant: The Joy of Vegetables
“I met some incredible educators from all different types of backgrounds. I loved learning about aspects of the natural world that I hadn’t known before – insects and fungi, for example … It was a true honor to be able to be part of the community of educators that have the privilege of attending Educator’s Week, going back decades.” Bess: Hog Island Audubon Camp
“This workshop connects science content with real-world experiences. I am a passionate advocate of healthy foods for kids. I can teach nutrition and healthy cooking to my kids in an organized and systematic way.” Rita: The Joy of Vegetables
“Hog Island Educators Week was a wonderful experience filled with activities that can be used directly in my classroom and adapted for all ages. A good amount of teaching materials was given out and are very helpful to be used as a reference.” Richard: Hog Island
Hog Island Audubon Camp “was a great learning environment….Participants from the course created a Facebook group where people continue to post new ideas and resources, and I continue to learn new ideas about sustainability practices.” Participant: Bronx ninth grade school teacher
“The staff at NYBG was terrific and really made learning come alive through their passion and expertise.” Michael: NYBG
All of the activities gave the “wow” experience to everyone participating in them….There are helpful ways to have students learn by doing.” Richard: Sharing Nature
“Personally I gained a great deal about gardening and professionally I learned many interesting ways to bring information to my students.” Lynn: Gardening 101
“The instructor was very knowledgeable and she brought in equally knowledgeable outside people in the field of horticulture. The program was well-organized and combined interesting lectures with hands-on experiences – all of which I will bring back to my classroom.” Sharon: The Joy of Horticulture
“The class was amazing. I learned all about how to start a school garden and I plan to speak to my principal about starting one this fall. I also have started a garden at my house that I am really enjoying.” Lenora: Gardening 101
“The training will be useful to me because it will help me in the future to support the teachers in my school to motivate and intrigue students in science and math.” Dahlia: Seedlings Summer Institute
“The class offered hands-on lessons I can use for science. And since it was at Queens Botanical Gardens, I will be able to incorporate a trip into the unit.” Tina: QBG
The training will provide me with the opportunity to improve our wellness curriculum.” Fatima: The Joy of Vegetables
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