Setting up a garden in an asphalt-covered courtyard that receives minimal sunlight may seem unconventional, but for the student caretakers in the Special Education R.I.S.E. (Reaching Independence through Structured Education) program at William James Middle School in Fort Worth, it’s an opportunity to defy expectations.
Teacher April Barnett, who leads the Special Education R.I.S.E. program, emphasizes the importance of recognizing the capabilities of her students. Despite the lack of access to traditional gardening resources like soil, Barnett and her students have transformed the asphalt courtyard into a thriving learning garden, utilizing raised beds and containers to grow vegetables.
The initiative not only provides valuable hands-on learning experiences for the students but also addresses food insecurity in the community. Located in a neighborhood classified as a food desert, the school’s efforts contribute to combating hunger and poverty by promoting access to fresh, healthy food.
Mary Jo Greene, a Texas Health School Garden Educator, applauds the impact of the learning garden at William James Middle School, describing it as a beloved resource in Fort Worth. Texas Health Resources has supported similar initiatives at schools across North Texas, including William James Middle School, which recently received a generous grant to further expand its gardening endeavors.
Beyond nutrition education, the gardening project equips students with practical skills that they can apply in their daily lives. Barnett emphasizes the importance of hands-on experiences in fostering growth and development among her students, likening their progress to the blooming plants in the garden.
