Youth Program Manager Spotlight: Alex Frank
Alex Frank (he/him) is our Youth Program Manager and he has been with us for a year and a half. Alex oversees all of our out-of-school-time (OST) programming, including both the afterschool and summer Green Team programs.
What originally inspired you to get involved in youth garden education?
Environmental education has been a tenant of my career since graduating college. In my first position I worked at the Cincinnati Nature Center, an urban wilderness that I had frequented as a child. While I always had a more personal, intimate connection with nature, my experiences there opened my eyes to the power of sharing that awe and wonder of nature with others, particularly young people. Since then I have worked at environmental nonprofits across the country before landing at CitySprouts. Garden education in particular stands out to me as it empowers our communities to reclaim and work their spaces in ways that are sustainable, practical, and delicious!
How do you ensure that the garden curriculum aligns with broader educational standards and goals?
I believe that gardening fits naturally into a wide spectrum of standards in education. STEM concepts are captured as we explore the anatomy of plants and soil chemistry. Nutrition and healthy eating are explored as we make recipes from the produce we grow, and by spending time outside students have opportunities to develop their social and emotional learning skills as well.
What’s one important skill you believe gardening teaches kids that they can use outside the garden?
Inquiry is intuitive in the garden, and is an essential life skill. Gardening is not a perfect science, and it encourages us to ask questions – Why does that plant grow well there? How can we use this space effectively? What plants will grow best together? By inspiring curiosity and wonder we teach youth how to question the world around them and develop critical thinking skills they will use throughout their lives.
How do you use storytelling or cultural connections to make gardening more meaningful for the students?
Boston and Cambridge are fortunate to have a mix of cultures to draw inspiration from. Whether it be in discussing indigenous gardening practices of the Northeast, local community transformations over the past 100 years, or connecting locally grown produce to fruits and vegetables native to the homelands of refugee populations, the opportunities for cultural connections seem endless. It is the melding of these cultures that makes our organization, and our city, so special.
Can you share a success story where a garden program had a significant impact on a student or community?
Our summer program was full of successes; one in particular was the coordination of our field trips. As a free summer program it can be difficult to provide opportunities for youth to connect with their community and discover the amazing outdoor spaces our cities have to offer while on a tight budget. However, thanks to the efforts of dedicated staff and an enthusiastic, engaged network of partners our youth experienced a truly unique urban nature experience, complete with harbor tours, kayaking, wilderness exploration and more!
Who is Alex outside of CitySprouts?
If your life had a theme song, what would it be?
Into the Mystic - Van Morrison
What’s your favorite place to explore in Boston/Cambridge?
There are so many parks to explore with the pup, but when I need more solace I
love to wander around Mt. Auburn Cemetery.
What’s one fashion trend you would love to see make a comeback?
Bell Bottom Jeans
Alex’s Favorites
Favorite food? - Fried Okra
Favorite season? - Spring
Cats or dogs? - Dogs!
Favorite type of music? - Jazz