At Lake Oconee Academy, learning is not confined to the classroom. This year, it has quite literally taken root outdoors in a space that is as meaningful as it is educational.
What began as an idea blossomed into reality thanks to the generosity of Titan families and local supporters who give to the LOA Foundation. “The idea of a school garden had been percolating for many years,” says Ansley Vinson, Chairman of the LOA Foundation. “We were grateful for the opportunity to fund the garden on campus thanks to our generous donors, turning this idea into a beautiful reality. I’ve enjoyed watching it grow over the years—literally—and seeing the impact it has made on our students’ educational experience.”
Installed in late 2024, the LOA community garden quickly became a centerpiece on campus, with various grade levels taking part in its initial development. But thanks to the hands and heart of two longstanding teachers, the garden has evolved into a place where curiosity grows alongside vegetables and flowers, fostering a hands-on learning experience for nearly 50 students in grades first through fourth.
Perfectly named the Gifted Garden, Mrs. Jill Brown decided to take ownership of the garden this school year. “Anyone who knows me is well aware of my love of gardening,” says LOA’s gifted teacher. “As I entered into this new role of enhancing our elementary gifted program, I immediately saw an opportunity to take my passion for growing plants and vegetables and turn it into a way to further 'grow' these young students.”
With the help of her colleague, Mrs. Kalie McDaniel, who also teaches within the gifted program, they welcomed the garden with a clear goal in mind: to create a space where learning could extend across disciplines and come to life in meaningful ways. The garden has since become an outdoor classroom where students engage in research, math, science, art, and even public speaking.
Throughout the year, students have immersed themselves in every stage of the gardening process. They have measured garden beds and carefully spaced seeds, applying math skills in real and tangible ways. They have studied plant life cycles and observed how weather patterns influence growth, gaining a deeper understanding of science through firsthand experience. They have even explored art through botanical sketches and practiced practical life skills through flower arranging.
Students have also explored the geography of their own community, learning about Greensboro’s location within the state and the broader United States, as well as identifying the region’s growing zone and how it impacts what can be planted and when. These lessons have helped connect their learning to the world just beyond the garden gates.
Using their newfound knowledge of local soil and weather conditions, students were able to watch their plants come to life—from seeds to fully grown vegetables and flowers. Growing broccoli, radishes, cabbages, and beans, these Titan gardeners experienced a true “farm-to-table” moment when their teachers allowed them to cook the vegetables in class and taste their harvest together.
“This is the first time I’ve ever planted anything before,” says fourth grader Leah Lumpkin. “My favorite memory this year was picking all the vegetables in the garden and getting to eat them. I’ll never forget how big the cabbages were—and they were delicious too! I’m really proud of myself for growing my own food.”
With continued success, both teachers hope to create a small, student-run farm stand in the future, introducing concepts of entrepreneurship and economics within the gifted program.
While the Gifted Garden is designed for educational enrichment, Mrs. Brown and Mrs. McDaniel have also found ways to ensure students are having fun throughout the process. Gifted learners have added their own creative touches, crafting handmade scarecrows that now stand watch over their growing space.
“I really liked making the scarecrows and setting them up in the garden,” says first grader Eddy Fordham. “The scarecrows make the garden happy!”
In addition to the student-made scarecrows, a very special contribution was recently added to the garden: a handmade sign beautifully crafted by Mrs. Brown’s mother, a retired teacher. The sign proudly represents the importance and permanence of the garden at LOA.
“This garden is special, not just to me, but to our students and our campus,” says Mrs. Brown. “It’s become a place for both discovery and pride, allowing students a chance to truly connect their learning to the real world. Students in the gifted program are not just learning science, math, and geography—they are fully experiencing it. And more importantly, they are taking ownership of something they’ve worked hard to create.”
As the first season of the Gifted Garden continues to flourish, it is clear that its impact goes far beyond what is growing in the soil. It is cultivating curiosity, confidence, and a deeper connection to both learning and community. At Lake Oconee Academy, this is exactly what education looks like: rooted in purpose, nurtured with care, and growing into something meaningful.