“The planetary emergency unfolding around us is, first and foremost a crisis of thought, values, perceptions, ideas and judgments. In other words, it is a crisis of mind, which makes it a crisis of those institutions which purport to improve minds.” – David Orr

The most important work of our time is helping young people gain the knowledge and skills they need to transition to  a sustainable society. I contribute to this effort with garden based education that

• increases ecological literacy
• introduces skills in appropriate technology
• promotes a holistic worldview
• empowers individuals and their communities
• promotes critical thinking and communication

I prefer working with teenagers and young adults and I teach at universities, high schools, community colleges, public gardens, and non profit organizations. If you need educational programing, from an afternoon workshop to a semester long course, I can provide the materials and teach topics in environmental science, horticulture, landscape design, botany,  permaculture, community development, and sustainability studies.

Teaching Experience

• Hawbridge Charter School – 4 years in K-12. Taught outdoor recreation, health, and horticulture. I enjoyed the 7th-10 grade students. Led overnight trips.
• Elon University Adjunct Professor – courses on sustainable agriculture, permaculture, botany, ecology lab, and and elective on student wellness.
• 2017 Masters Thesis -Sustaining Garden Stewardship: Environmental Education in Rural Youth Development Programs – Mayer Thesis
• North Carolina Botanical Gardens – Instructor for core certificate course on plant ecology
• Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools – System wide garden education coordinator
• The Conservation Fund (Resourceful Communities) – Developed garden-based curricula for rural youth development programs
• UNC’s Edible Campus Initiative, Co-founder – Managed 30+ student interns to design, install and maintain edible and pollinator gardens
• Asheboro Female Academy (TREES NC) – Participatory design process to engage youth for this historic renovation.
• UNC Teaching Assistant: Environmental Science, Agroecology and Local Flora
• Eco-Action Club (Carrboro High School) – Prepared and delivered weekly after school workshops for the student garden club
• Zhejiang University – Coordinated 3-week mountain trip, back country trail guide and botany instructor for Chinese Exchange Students
• NC State University – Teaching Assistant for Plant Systematics. Lectured and led Southeastern field trips for Permaculture Design Certificate Course
• Interfaith Food Shuttle – Young Farmers Program Instructor
• Central Carolina Community College – Instructor for Medicinal Native Plants
• Haw River Assembly, Youth ecology instructor
• Chapel Hill Friends Meeting, Youth Service Trip Leader (Jinotega, Nicaragua)