“I’ve never planted a seed before.”, “How long will it take my plant to grow?”, “If we need it we can just go to the store to buy it, why do all of this work?”, “Being a farmer is just a hobby, it isn’t a real job; like banking or law.”

These are just a couple of the quotes that I have gotten over the past few months as I had battled on how or what I was going to do as a project for Kenan Fellows. Agriculture and farming come somewhat natural to me and my family as we have a farm with animals and different forms of food, but when discussing with students about farming and receiving responses like these above made me uncertain of which direction to go that would be beneficial yet fun. How am I going to come up with something that the school community could use that would also connect to the community outside of school and be connected with agriculture.

I was thinking about what agriculture is and depending on how you view it; the definition of agriculture is “the science, art, or practice of cultivating the soil, producing crops, and raising livestock and in varying degrees the preparation and marketing of the resulting products”. But this definition doesn’t even scratch the surface. Agriculture is more than just planting a seed, watching it grow, knowing that having animals is considered agriculture; it is much bigger. So big that many adults in today’s society don’t realize how big it truly is! Think of it as a tree. Culture is the tree trunk, and the larger limbs that hold the branches and the leaves are,  agriculture (field), apiculture (bees), aquaculture (water), arboriculture (trees), aviculture (birds), floriculture (flowers), horticulture (garden), mariculture (sea), monoculture (one crop), permaculture (sustainable agriculture),  sericulture (silk worms), silviculture (wood), vermiculture (earthworms), viticulture (vines). All of these involve cultivating; and the production of something that we use most of the time on a daily basis.

So, how do I get children to understand the importance of why -culture is so important?

Students aren’t going to understand the importance unless they are taught why it is important. In our society where everything is just going to the store and get it as needed, they don’t see the background and all of the work it takes.

When I worked at the Schiele Museum as part of my internship; the knowledge and information that they passed on to the visitors throughout the day amazed me. My favorite part was the history of the “Farm” they have on-site and the ability that visitors could see how they lived in the 1600s. They left with a new outlook on how we live just by walking through their exhibit. How much could we instill into the younger generation if a program for the school were written, a way to have hands-on activities, science, math, history, and economics surrounded by -culture. It would definitely provide the next generation with a more appreciative attitude towards those that choose a career in farming.

What was the most interesting moment?

With Kenan, the most interesting moment was the reigniting of the passion I have for teaching and determining what my mission is as an educator. At NCCAT I brought home a lot of new information that I am still trying to process. I even look over notes and slides at least once a week when I have thought of something I could apply. They bring up many questions that I have to research to obtain further knowledge but feel as though I have grown so much as an educator this summer compared to where I have been. 

In my internship, I think the biggest “aha” moment was when I found out there is this awesome museum that I didn’t even know about. While spending time with the educators, emails, communications with staff; as well as spending time as a tourist throughout the summer I have seen how community resources can be relevant within the classroom. The museum specifically as all of the exhibits that they have is beneficial to almost all of our grades curriculums. These can be intertwined and used within the curriculum. 

What has been your biggest challenge?

I think overall the biggest challenge this summer has been deciding what I can do that will make a difference in the school and community. Tons of ideas, but time and barriers to face. Then looking past the immediate project, how in the future can I continue reaching into the community for education, without overreaching. I want to be an advocate, but still have no idea where to start. 

What is your biggest takeaway?

Nothing is too small. Education comes in many different forms including not even being in a direct classroom. 

How has your knowledge of career opportunities changed?

I have always known I wanted to work with children, however, I know it sounds silly, but I thought that was just in the classroom. I have thought often about getting older and trying to keep up with students could be something I have to consider one day. Throughout meeting new people and resources I have discovered that there are multiple opportunities and roles involved in education that don’t have to work directly with the students. Those roles are just as important to the students as being in the classroom. I have met some amazing people this summer that don’t necessarily implement lessons to students but are involved in advocating, and developing programs, policies, curriculum, etc that are important to the development of students socially, mentally, and academically throughout their education. 

I am still unsure of how to find those opportunities, but I know if I needed to I could reach out to my support team.

It’s hard to put into the words all that is going on in my head. These past few weeks have been interesting, to say the least.

My overall personal goal is to incorporate a connection between the school, the community surrounding it, and the Museum I have had the privilege to engage with. I have tons of lessons, community project ideas, thoughts, wants, but finding the “one” to use in this particular project has been my most challenging hurdle.

Those ideas and passions that develop when you see what all you can do and who all it can benefit are so amazing.

However, not sure which way to go I have put my feet in the water and put myself a little out of my comfort zone. One of the ideas was that a challenge we as a school faced last year with our cohorts was there was no permanent space for a garden since the school was still in its temporary location. I thought… let us solve that by using an unconventional method.

I reached out to a local hardware store and a construction company with a proposal of how a method of hydroponics could be a wonderful aspect in a school by teaching students of ways to think outside the box to get resources. Also, a way that students could experience sell/trade with the produce, and even a day for the community on canning, or making other products found from a farm. They thought these ideas were great and were willing to help supply the materials of a vertical garden and the construction company was willing to build what we needed to see the movable project through.

That certainly wasn’t something I would not have done had it not been for the “grant” class. Still far from writing grants, but it’s a start in the right direction.

That idea may not be the project we do but definitely something I would like to see the school see some time soon. It would be a fun way to build the community and could incorporate lessons from the exhibits at the museum.

Whichever one of the ideas we move forward with to focus on with KFP and NCaccess I want it to impact those involved. The challenge is great, but it will be so rewarding to see who and how we touch those in the end.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from the Kenan Fellows Summer PD. I knew that I would be getting lots of information regarding what was to be expected this upcoming year for our projects, but so far the outcome has been different. The fellowship I have received from the other educators here by far was not what I would have pictured. I love the comradery, the fact that we just met, but seems like we’ve known each other for years. We have shared stories, ideas, dreams.

Every educator goes through a drudge time, where the passion is hidden. Last year, I think did that for many. So far this week that spark has been reignited in so many people’s eyes including mine. This week has just been a great reminder that we aren’t in this alone. Even if you don’t have a close bond with the team members at your school, you now have permanent fellows to share your struggles with for life. Our class of 2021-2022 will go far, just wait and see!