Meet Krity, CitySprouts’ Development & Communications Manager, whose childhood love for nature continues to shape her work in youth garden education. She shares how gardening helps kids slow down and tune into the world around them, and why she believes every urban school should have a garden. From fundraising to storytelling, Krity plays a key role in growing CitySprouts’ impact. Plus, find out which TV character she’d trade places with and her favorite unexpected snack combo!

Melissa Wender joined CitySprouts as a Garden Educator in 2021 and now leads as Program Director, shaping the garden science curriculum used across our partner schools. With a deep belief in joyful, curiosity-driven learning, she brings creativity and care to everything from lesson design to Canva layouts. Outside the garden, Melissa is a Scrabble enthusiast, nature wanderer, and devoted fan of The Golden Compass universe. Find out more about Melissa in the blog!

Alex leads CitySprouts’ afterschool and summer Green Team programs, drawing on over a decade of experience in environmental education. He’s passionate about using gardening to inspire curiosity, build life skills, and connect young people to nature and community. Outside of work, Alex enjoys jazz, spring walks with his dog, and exploring hidden green spaces around the city. Learn more about Alex in the blog!

Meet Kira Kueppenbender, CitySprouts’ TerraCorps Youth Education Coordinator for the 2024–25 service year! Kira brings curiosity and care to every school she visits, helping students explore worms, pumpkins, and the wonders of the natural world. Whether she’s leading lessons at Russell Elementary or spotting birds at Mount Auburn Cemetery, Kira is all about discovery, connection, and growth.

Maddie brings heart, humor, and a hands-on spirit to every garden they support. As our Garden Operations Manager, they make sure every space has what it needs to thrive—tools, plants, and a whole lot of love. From welcoming new volunteers to dreaming up artful signs, Maddie helps turn our gardens into places where students and community members alike can grow, explore, and feel at home in the natural world.

Hazel brings a love of the outdoors and a passion for growing food to every garden lesson. Now in her second year with CitySprouts, she finds joy in watching students grow more confident in the garden—from recognizing plants they planted as kindergarteners to high-fiving bumblebees. Whether she’s connecting cafeteria food to farms or encouraging students to notice nature in their neighborhoods, Hazel makes the garden a place of wonder, learning, and fun.

In their second year with CitySprouts, Gavilán loves helping students step outside their comfort zones—whether trying new foods or exploring nature. They believe gardening teaches patience, care, and the joy of giving. Outside the garden, they enjoy libraries, fried plantains, and endless rounds of 20 Questions! FInd out more about Gavilán in the blog!

Meet Jordan Finkelstein, our Senior Garden Educator at Peabody Elementary, Orchard Gardens, and Samuel Mason. He finds joy in watching kids recognize the plants they grew, make cultural connections through food, and embrace patience as they learn how things grow. Whether he’s debunking gardening myths, encouraging hands-on exploration, or advocating for more cargo pockets, Jordan makes every moment in the garden engaging and meaningful.

Meet Stella Dzialas, our Sustainable Agriculture Coordinator serving through TerraCorps! Since joining CitySprouts in September, Stella has been a key part of keeping our gardens thriving. With a passion for urban green space and outdoor education, she brings her love for hands-on learning into everything she does. Learn more about Stella’s journey, her favorite foods, and her hopes for the future of garden education on the blog!

Meet Milly Roberts, the Garden Educator at Henderson Upper School, Higginson-Lewis, King Open School, and Graham & Parks School. From helping students discover the impact of their actions in the garden to watching them form connections with nature—like caring for a recovering bee—Milly brings curiosity, joy, and hands-on learning to every lesson!

Meet Catherine Wagoner, the Garden Educator at Morse Elementary, Haggerty Elementary, and Baldwin Early Learning Pilot Academy. From growing magical pumpkins with students to fostering a love of nature, discover what inspires Catherine and how she makes gardening fun and meaningful for young learners!

Meet Lily Weaver, the Garden Educator at Maria Baldwin, Russell Elementary, and the Tobin Montessori School. From nurturing kids' love for worms to debunking gardening myths, Lily is inspiring a new generation of environmental stewards. Find out more about what inspires them in and outside the gardens!