Garden Educator Spotlight: Lily Weaver

Lily (she/they) is the Garden Educator at Maria Baldwin Elementary, Russell Elementary, and the Tobin Montessori School. This is their second school year at CitySprouts. Read more about Lily below!

What’s been your proudest moment as a Garden Educator?

One of my proudest moments as a garden educator was when a student brought her adult to the garden after school and gave her a tour of the space. She showed her mom where the class dug for worms, pointed out her favorite plants in the garden, and taught her how to gently touch the plants (bunny fingers!).  

How has working with youth changed your perspective on education or the environment?

Working with my students has given me a lot of hope for the environment. The students are so curious and interested in the garden and learning about the world around them. Their love and care for things as small as worms and ants shows me they will be great caretakers of the land!

What’s a common misconception about gardening that you enjoy debunking with your students?

A common misconception about gardening is that you have to have a lot of land to grow food! Flower pots and window boxes are great, apartment-friendly ways to grow plants at home or in your neighborhood.

What’s one important skill you believe gardening teaches kids that they can use outside the garden?

An important skill the garden teaches students is patience, as gardening is really a labor of love. Students plant seeds and have to wait weeks/months for the seeds to grow. It makes it even more rewarding when we end up with a healthy, flourishing plant! 

Lily Outside of CitySprouts

What’s your favorite place to explore in Boston/Cambridge?

I love walking along the Charles River, especially during the fall and with a warm beverage.

What’s one item on your bucket list that you’re determined to check off soon?

To visit the Galápagos.

If you could have any mythical creature as a pet, which one would it be?

A pegasus, though I don’t know how they would fit in my apartment.

Lily’s Favorites

Favorite food? - Any type of noodle

Favorite season? - Fall!

Cats or dogs? - Cats (but I love dogs too!)