By Sammy Nagy

For some time now the formerly lush and well-tilled garden area behind the teachers’ house has been left mostly barren, with only a few scattered bushes or flowers growing at any given time. From this point onwards, however, Mrs. Tobin, the 9th grade biology teacher, intends not only to make the garden’s formerly desolate state a thing of the past, but also intends to have students hold responsibility for its maintenance.

The current 9th grade classes, for example, have been tasked with researching and attempting to grow fully edible vegetables over the course of this year. Through an interview I was able to gather a firm understanding of not only Mrs. Tobin’s present plans, but also some of the more distant ideas for using the area in the future.

“I’ve always been involved with gardening since I was a young child,” she says. “I understand clearly the value of green spaces and the benefits in terms of nutrition to growing vegetables for consumption.” When asked specifically about the TPA garden, she said that it had been conceptual for some time. She and Mr. Macdonald, a 7th and 8th grade English teacher, both agree that it is time for a transformation.

Crucial to the actual growing of the vegetables, Mrs. Tobin also plans to expand the program to the 6th, 7th and 8th grade classes, stating that “It’s the simple things, like learning to use a rake or a shovel or even how to water” that would hold many benefits. Mrs. Tobin commented that she and several of the teachers have put considerable thought into the area’s future. “In the short-term, we just want to get the garden going, but long-term we want to transform the area into a green space that will provide a peaceful and welcoming place for gathering or work,” adding at the end that she has even looked towards the certifications for a running wildlife sanctuary as a potential.