The Power of Abundance: What Happened When Shant Started Gardening with His Students

Let me tell you a story about a teacher named Shant. When Shant first started teaching, he was excited but also a little overwhelmed. Sound familiar? As a new teacher, he wanted to find ways to make his lessons more engaging, but wasn’t sure how to manage it all and the new STEM curriculum particularly intimidated him.

Then he discovered the Oasis Classroom program, and everything changed.

I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Shant for almost an hour, and during that time, he shared his incredible journey of transforming his classroom and teaching approach through gardening. And let me tell you, his story is nothing short of inspiring!

🌱 Starting Indoors: Shant’s First Year with the Oasis Classroom Program

When Shant first heard about the Oasis Classroom program, he was hesitant. “Would I have time for this?” “Can I really fit gardening into my lessons?” These were some of his initial thoughts.

But once he jumped in, he quickly realized that the program was designed to make things easy for teachers. The step-by-step guides, ready-to-use lesson plans, and practical activities made it simple to integrate gardening into his teaching without overwhelming his schedule.

In his first year, Shant focused on using the garden to teach STEM concepts. From measuring plant growth for math lessons to conducting light and water experiments for science, the garden became a hands-on learning tool that his students loved.

But something unexpected happened: abundance!

Shant’s students grew so many plants that they didn’t know what to do with all of them! So, they decided to start fundraising by selling the plants.

What started as a simple classroom project turned into a powerful community-building activity. Families bought plants, and whatever was left over was donated to community gardens. The students saw firsthand how their work could make a positive impact outside the classroom.

Shant shared how rewarding it was to see his students take pride in their work and how the gardening project brought everyone together.

🌿 The Oasis Classroom as a Multi-Tool for Learning

One of the things Shant loved most about the Oasis Classroom program was its versatility. It wasn’t just a “gardening project”, it became a multi-tool that he could use across subjects.

For example:

• In Math: Students measured plant growth and calculated return on investment from their plant sales.

• In Science: They experimented with light, water, and soil conditions to optimize plant health.

• In Art: They created flyers for fundraising events and designed plant labels.

• In Business Studies: They learned about budgeting, profit margins, and marketing strategies.

Gardening wasn’t just a one-off activity; it became a core part of Shant’s teaching approach, making lessons more engaging and relatable for his students.

Wanna hear this story in Shant's voice? Go listen in to Podcast Episodes 31 and 32 on the School Gardens with Ease.

🌱 Building Classroom Community Through Gardening

One of the most beautiful outcomes of Shant’s gardening journey was the sense of community it fostered in his classroom.

Gardening gave students a shared purpose. They weren’t just growing plants. They were growing something together. This sense of ownership and collaboration brought the class closer, turning individual efforts into collective achievements.

Shant shared a heartwarming story about how students would walk into the classroom and proudly say, “We did this.” It was no longer about who planted which seed. It was about what they accomplished together.

And this sense of community extended beyond the classroom walls. Parents got involved, buying plants from fundraisers and supporting the students’ efforts. The gardening project became a way to connect the school with the broader community.

🌱 Taking It Outside: Shant’s Experience with the Caja Oasis Program

By his third year, Shant was ready to take things to the next level. He decided to expand his gardening efforts outdoors using the Caja Oasis program.

What made the Caja planters a game-changer? Sub-irrigation. These self-watering planters made it easy to maintain the garden, even during school breaks.

Shant loved the fact that the planters required minimal maintenance. During summer breaks, he even arranged for students to earn community service hours by coming in to water the garden. This ensured that the garden continued to thrive while also giving students a sense of responsibility and pride.

🌿 The Emotional Impact of Gardening

Gardening didn’t just transform Shant’s teaching. It transformed him personally.

Shant shared how he discovered a deep love for gardening through this experience. He would often arrive at school early, spending quiet time in the garden to center himself before the day began. It became a source of peace and joy for him.

He even took his newfound passion home, turning his small balcony into a mini-garden filled with herbs, tomatoes, and peppers. Gardening became more than just a teaching tool. It became a part of his life.

🌱 Breaking Down Barriers with Students

One of the most powerful things Shant shared was how gardening helped him connect with his students on a deeper level.

“There’s no better way to build relationships with your students than by digging your hands in a pile of dirt together,” he said.

Gardening broke down barriers. It made learning more fun and accessible. And it created opportunities for students to take risks, make mistakes, and learn in a supportive environment.

Shant shared how gardening helped him reach even the most disengaged students. The act of growing something together created a safe space where students felt seen, heard, and valued.

🌟 Why This Story Matters

Shant’s journey is a testament to the power of gardening in education. It shows that you don’t need to be an expert gardener to bring this magic into your classroom. The Oasis programs are designed to make it easy and accessible for any teacher.

Whether you’re looking to enhance your STEM lessons, boost student engagement, or build a stronger classroom community, gardening can be the perfect solution.

✨ Want to Learn How to Do This?

If you’re feeling inspired by Shant’s story and want to learn how to bring this magic into your classroom, join my School Gardens with Ease Free Webinar! 🌱

In this webinar, I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of starting a classroom or school garden without overwhelming your schedule or budget.

👉 Sign up here: https://www.kidsgrowingcity.ca/main-registration-page-school-gardens-with-ease

Ready to take the next step? Check out my Oasis programs, designed to make gardening easy and accessible for teachers like you.

👉 Learn more here: https://www.kidsgrowingcity.ca/links-oasis-programs 

Happy Gardening!

Leila