Garden Educator Spotlight: Dani Morgan
Dani (she/her) is the Garden Educator at Hale Elementary, Rafael Hernández K-8 School, Amigos School, and Russell Elementary. This is Dani’s first year at CitySprouts! Find out more about Dani below.
What originally inspired you to get involved in youth garden education?
Nature and play are so important to child development and I know it can be hard to make sure kids have access to green spaces. I also know that offering students a space where they can learn and exist that is structured differently than the classroom can change so much. When kids are struggling in traditional classroom environments it can help so much to have a space where they don't feel wrong, where there is more space for curiosity and exploration and one on one attention. A space where different skills can come out and students can learn their own capabilities.
What’s one important skill you believe gardening teaches kids that they can use outside the garden?
Gardening is one way to teach kids responsibility as well as gentleness. They're able to witness and practice kindness to small creatures and living things as well as learn how their actions can help something thrive or hurt its growth.
What is one way you build connections with the students to make gardening more meaningful to them?
I try to interact with them one on one every class, especially if a student is having trouble engaging or participating or on the other side of things if they're very enthusiastic but interrupt the lesson or aren't following expectations that are there for their safety and learning. I want them to know I see them and appreciate them even if they're struggling to follow the rules. I try to redirect behaviors that don't follow garden expectations. For instance if a student is pulling at plants or trying to pull tomatoes down I'll think about an activity that might engage them more physically like digging or harvesting seeds.
If your life had a theme song, what would it be?
It definitely changes day to day and year to year, but some songs that I was obsessed with in middle/high school and will continue to come back to are Teenage Dirtbag, Put Your Records On, Carry on Wayward Son, Edge of Seventeen, and Twin Size Mattress. However, Wolfcat by Still Woozy has been my ringtone for years so even though I can't hear it without thinking someone's face-timing me, it's basically the theme song to my life already.
What’s the strangest food combination you secretly love?
I don't think they're super uncommon combinations but dipping fries in ranch, pineapple on pizza, and when I was a kid I did sometimes eat cheerios in orange juice.
What’s one fashion trend you would love to see make a comeback?
Anything convenient honestly. Cargo pants, skirts with pockets, SKORTS. I love skorts... I have yet to obtain skorts with pockets. I'm trying to get into vests but I do not know how to wear them.