What do you do when you love to work with kids and you love gardening? You combine them to teach kids about the earth. And that’s what I do!!
"Eman taught me that soil has a lot of living things like bacteria and worms. We got to dig and plant and harvest. It was awesome!"
Mack, PS 321 3rd grader
"Eman taught me that soil has a lot of living things like bacteria and worms. We got to dig and plant and harvest. It was awesome!"
Mack, PS 321 3rd grader
I started teaching at Beth Elohim’s Early Childhood Center in November 2008. And I have been teaching at Montessori Day School of Brooklyn (MDS) since 2011, where I developed and taught an environmental education program for preschoolers age two to five.
I have also run the after school gardening club at PS 321 for three years now, teaching children ages 5-10 about gardening. And in 2013, I started working in the PS 107 after school garden program where the children also range in age from 5-10.
I believe in treating children with respect while teaching them to take care of the earth around them. Children often model what they see and hear, so I try to practice a method called Non-Violent Communication (NVC), whereby listening, reflection, compassion and kindness are used in every-day teaching.
I have also run the after school gardening club at PS 321 for three years now, teaching children ages 5-10 about gardening. And in 2013, I started working in the PS 107 after school garden program where the children also range in age from 5-10.
I believe in treating children with respect while teaching them to take care of the earth around them. Children often model what they see and hear, so I try to practice a method called Non-Violent Communication (NVC), whereby listening, reflection, compassion and kindness are used in every-day teaching.
Gardening is not only about teaching children about the earth, but also allowing children to connect to nature. There are countless studies about the therapeutic values of gardening. 1995 and 2005 studies show that students who are actively engaged in garden projects tend to enjoy learning and show improved attitudes toward education. There are the now well-known studies that show the bacteria in soil makes us happier and smarter. Gardening also allows children to be nurturing and connect to nature and life on a fundamental level. The act of learning to care for living things around us is an empowering one. Gardening can help calm children while also thrilling them to the core. I’ve seen children who I was told “would never sit still” go into a wonderful, almost meditative state as soon as they put their hands in soil. And there is nothing as beautiful as watching a child full of wonder and amazement at her own achievement of growing his or her own basil or tomato plant. But then it gets even BETTER when they pick and eat their own plants! Now that’s as local as you get!
"A contagious surge of enthusiasm, passion, and energy travels with Eman. It's impossible to resist her positive light and pull."
Ms. Evelyn Faison, teaching over 30 years
"A contagious surge of enthusiasm, passion, and energy travels with Eman. It's impossible to resist her positive light and pull."
Ms. Evelyn Faison, teaching over 30 years
