Participant Testimonials
“I feel so much more comfortable entering into my new role as a garden educator, and so much more competent and knowledgeable in general.”
-2010 participant
“Truly the best set of people to teach, inspire, support and create passion for teachers, coordinators, and overall well run school gardens.”
-2010 participant
“The program gave us many way to use the garden and help teachers to teach the standards required. We also learned many activities that we can do with the children which will connect them with the garden.”
-2010 participant
"The training was outstanding and intensive. The organization, facilitation, and presentations exceeded my expectations. I thought it would be an informational and wonderful week in the woods and it was so much more.”
-2009 participant
“My understanding of gardening as a holistic interaction with the earth is so much deeper as a result of this week. I am so enthusiastic about spreading and sharing what I have learned with the staff and children at my school!”
-2009 participant
“I am incredibly impressed with the facilities and staff. You can feel the experience, expertise and time and energy in every intentional detail and every accident. Thank you for creating and sharing your space- a true renewal for all who experience it.”
- 2009 participant
“It was truly an amazing week chock full of thought provoking ideas. I expected to learn about school gardens, and I’m leaving with a vigorous, life-changing vision of the world and my role as a teacher and parent.”
- Juvenile probation school teacher, 2009
“My expectations have been achieved above and beyond. I now have a network of seasoned gardeners whom I can ask for help as well as other gardens in my area that I can look at to help design mine. Lesson ideas galore. An amazing binder with everything I need to successfully lead a garden education program!”
-SF School Garden Coordinator, 2009
“The story of Sherman Elementary would not be the same without the insight, direction and guidance offered to us by the staff of OAEC. Before we started our large greening process, three representatives from our school attended the OAEC week long intensive garden education training seminar…
In a very organized and professional manner, the OAEC staff led us all through the green garden gate. There were lectures on how to fund a school garden, how to set up a greening committee, how to involve the entire school community, how to involve the broader community, how to publicize and advertise greening efforts, how to involve teachers, how to cross the garden lessons with curriculum standards, how to maintain the garden, etc.
Having had some gardening and landscaping experience but absolutely no knowledge of teaching gardening or dealing with transitions in school communities, I found the OAEC training to be indispensible. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by all of the information, it was presented in such a manner that whether you were a teacher new to gardening or a seasoned garden coordinator or a parent volunteer such as myself, your questions were answered.
There was something cohesive, encouraging and inspiring to be grouped in a beautiful intentional gardening community with experts in their fields who cultivated an information sharing and optimistic environment…
In addition, OAEC offers follow-up workshops which students can attend free of charge and OAEC staff has been very vigilant about keeping in contact and has visited our school garden on several occasions.”
-Excerpts from a letter by Sherman Elementary’s Garden Coordinator, Linda Myers 2009