I am a certified agriculture teacher. I have an undergraduate degree in Horticulture from Clemson University and a Masters in Education Administration from the University of South Carolina. During my almost ten years teaching public education, I received the Charleston County School District Rookie Teacher of the Year award as well as being a finalist several years for the Teacher of the Year at the largest high school in SC. However, in my opinion, my most important accomplishment was introducing suburban students, many for the first time, the accomplishment and excitement of growing their own food.  Horticulture is not only an exciting subject to teach and learn but an important one as well. I love to see students grow from basic introductory knowledge of plants to a deep understanding of sustainable agriculture and the importance it will play in the years to come. Not every student who takes my classes will go on to a career in horticulture but every student can take this knowledge and use it in their own backyards for the rest of their lives. It is my hope that I can light a "spark" for horticulture for students just as that  "spark" was lit for me in the seventh grade. When I'm not teaching you can find me with my own children at our orchard and small urban farm near Charleston, SC. I live and work at our non-profit educational farm called Growing Minds. Our mission is to educate and empower individuals to grow food everywhere! I love teaching about sustainable agriculture but I also love to implement these practices on our education demonstration farm as well truly "practicing what I preach".