The Award-Winning School Farm That Uses 95% Less Water
Schoolutions: Curious Educators. Evidence-Based Strategies. Classrooms Where Every Child Thrives.
06/27/22
•19m
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In this S1E20 Schoolutions Teaching Strategies conversation, discover how (former) Principal David Friedrich revolutionized his elementary school through innovative vertical farming and farm-to-school programs. In this inspiring conversation, learn how Hopewell Elementary School secured $25,000 in grants to build a customized vertical farm that's 2-3 times larger than Princeton University's model!
What You'll Learn:
✅ How vertical farming brings Next-Generation Science Standards to life
✅ Innovative teaching strategies that integrate STEM across all grade levels
✅ How to transform school culture through nutrition and hands-on learning
✅ Professional development approaches that don't overwhelm teachers
✅ Building parent involvement through cooking classes and community events
✅ School leadership strategies for securing grants and community partnerships
✅ Creating inclusive teaching environments that serve the whole child
This farm-to-school program uses 95% less water than traditional farming while growing fresh herbs, vegetables, and strawberries that students help cultivate and then enjoy in their cafeteria. From preschool through 5th grade, every student participates in hands-on STEM learning that connects to real-world applications.
Perfect for: teachers, education coaches, school administrators, parents, homeschoolers, instructional leaders, school counselors, and anyone interested in education transformation, school improvement, and student success.
Featured Topics: student engagement, active learning, instructional strategies, innovative teaching, school leadership, parent communication, family partnerships, education at home, inspiring students, empowered educators, teacher impact, and creating thriving students through experiential learning.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to David Friedrich & Hopewell Elementary
02:59 What is the Vertical Farming Initiative?
05:09 Why "Vertical" Farming? The Science Behind It
05:58 How Students Access the Program (Pre-K through 5th Grade)
06:37 Top Tomato Award & Farm-to-School Recognition
07:24 From Classroom to Cafeteria: The Implementation Journey
09:22 Impact of COVID & Current Status
10:16 Virtual Cooking Classes During the Pandemic
11:22 Top Chef Enrichment Program
12:39 Cross-Curricular Impact on Literacy & Math
13:25 Future Plans & Expansion
15:24 Community Events: Farm-to-School Day & Parent Lunch
16:39 Community Partnerships & Giving Back
18:00 The Power of Relationships in Education
- Vertical farming project partners with school (2016)
- Hopewell Elementary School Awarded $10,000 STEM/Sustainability Grant for Vertical Gardening Initiative (2018)
- President Biden Honors 117 Individuals and Organizations with Highest U.S. Award for Science and Mathematics Teachers and Mentors (2022)
- GFP Graduate, Helen Corveleyn, Awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (2022)
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
Previous Episode
How COVID Left Kids with Special Needs Behind
June 20, 2022
•32m
In this S1E19 Schoolutions Teaching Strategies conversation, special education expert and parent advocate Tina Andrews reveals the harsh realities facing students with disabilities and their families in today's education system. When the pandemic hit, special needs students were left behind in ways that most people don't realize.
🎯 What You'll Learn:
• Why inclusive teaching isn't safe in many schools right now
• The difference between compensatory services and extended school year
• When parents need legal help (it's sooner than you think)
• How to advocate effectively for your child's IEP
• Red flags that indicate your child isn't getting proper support
Tina Andrews, a mother of five adopted children with special needs and project coordinator at Delaware's Parent Information Center, shares her expertise as both a former special education teacher and current parent advocate. Her insights on classroom management, student engagement, and education strategies will empower educators, parents, and school administrators to better support students with disabilities.
Whether you're dealing with disruptive students, seeking better parent communication, or working toward inclusive classrooms, this conversation provides essential guidance for creating equity in education and supporting the whole child.
Chapters:
0:00 - Introduction to Tina Andrews
2:15 - Inspiring Educator: Tina's Mother
4:13 - The Reality of Learning Loss Post-COVID
5:17 - Tina's Journey to Parent Advocacy
7:20 - Finding Support: Parent Training Centers
8:54 - When Inclusion Isn't Safe
11:00 - The Problem with Understaffed Classrooms
13:08 - Understanding IEPs vs 504 Plans
15:51 - Compensatory Services Explained
18:58 - Extended School Year Requirements
22:17 - When to Seek Legal Help
24:17 - State Complaints vs Due Process
27:40 - Hope for Public Education's Future
30:45 - Final Thoughts on Student Resilience
- Parent Information Center (PIC) of Delaware & Tina’s Team Profile
- Parent’s Information & Resource Center
- IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)
- What is the Difference Between an IEP and a 504 Plan?
- Center for Family Involvement
- Center for Parent Information and Resources
- Find Your Parent Training and Information Center
- disAbility Law Center of Virginia
- dcist
- CADRE (The Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education)
- COPAA (Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates)
- Endrew F. Supreme Court Case
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
Next Episode
Season 2 Schoolutions Trailer
August 22, 2022
•2m
I am thrilled to share that Season 2 of Schoolutions Podcast will kick off this September with the new school year. For new listeners, my name is Olivia Wahl, and as your host, I will continue connecting you with others that have creative solutions to issues we face in public education. Over Season 1's 20 episodes, guests shared their stories and ideas around an incredible variety of topics. Give them a listen if you haven't already. This season's guests will offer their expertise, teaching us about:
- using tools and strategies to change how we listen to each other
- the courage it takes to teach and to know when to quit
- nurturing equity-centered, reflective learning
- what universities are seeking in candidates graduating from public high schools
- combating school violence and bullying
- understanding speech pathology and reading interventions
- engaging in rich tasks that nurture thinking about math
- student activism
- and so much more
Please follow, share, give a review and look for new episodes every Monday. As a veteran teacher, educational consultant, and mom of two boys in public schools, we're in this together! Parker J. Palmer's words from his book, The Courage to Teach, capture the essence of this podcast - he says - "This is for those who have good days and bad, and whose bad days bring the suffering that comes only from something one loves. It is for us who refuse to harden our hearts because we love learners, learning, and the teaching life. When you love your work that much—and many teachers do—the only way to get out of trouble is to go deeper in. We must enter, not evade, the tangles of teaching so we can understand them better and negotiate them with more grace, not only to guard our own spirits but also to serve our students well."
And with that said - here's to finding inspiration together throughout Schoolutions Podcast, Season 2!
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