Program Director Spotlight: Melissa Wender
Melissa Wender (she/her) started out as a Garden Educator in the fall of 2021, and has transitioned into her new role as Program Director. Melissa is responsible for curriculum development that the Garden Educators then teach in the schools!
What originally inspired you to get involved in youth garden education?
I’ve been teaching one thing or another for pretty much my entire adult life. I am committed to the ideal that learning can be fun, exciting, and transformative, but painfully aware that it often isn’t. Further into my adulthood, I discovered the magic of gardens – as places to explore the awe-inspiring complexity of the natural world, to revel in its beauty, to nourish the spirit, to feed people, and to support the health of the planet. When I decided to leave my job as a high school English teacher, I happened on CitySprouts. I worked first as a garden educator, and now as program director, both opportunities to participate in education that is joyful, which fosters children’s development as whole beings, and that encourages their natural curiosity. That’s a really cool thing.
What project or initiative within the garden education programs gives you the most pride when reflecting on its success?
I am really proud of the way that I’ve built out CitySprouts garden science curriculum in my time as program director. When I started, there was a great base of lessons, but from what I learned as a garden educator (GE), with the support of current and past GEs, and a lot of research, I expanded the number of lessons and reformatted them in ways that I hope make them easier for folks to use. I love using Canva, and did my best to make them visually appealing as well. We just put a first version of them up on the CitySprouts website in December 2024!
Who is Melissa outside of CitySprouts?
If you could live in any fictional universe, where would it be?
The Golden Compass – oh my gosh, cutting between worlds. I’ve never been to Oxford in this world, but I really would love to see it and the Oxford of Lyra’s world. I have read the series multiple times and watched the BBC/ HBO series.
What’s your favorite place to explore in Boston/Cambridge?
One favorite place? Impossible, but I do love walking in the Fenway Victory Gardens. I worked nearby and used to go for walks there on my lunchtime. The incredible diversity of spaces is really amazing, and reading about its history is fascinating!
What’s one item on your bucket list that you’re determined to check off soon?
Visiting more of Italy! I have been to Rome and vicinity, and now my older daughter will be studying in Florence, so Florence, Venice, Cinque Terre, here I come!
Melissa’s Favorites
Favorite board game or video game? - I am a Scrabble fanatic. During the pandemic, my husband and I played almost every day. We are VERY competitive. I am willing to play “qis,” but still don’t understand how qi can be plural.
Favorite season? - Spring! More daylight and the world becomes green again.
Cats or dogs? - Uh, both. But I only have cats at home.