Cynthia Abel Brings Joy to Students with Hinman Elementary School’s Green Paw Garden Club

Cynthia Abel regularly shares incredible stories from the Hinman Elementary School garden and the Green Paws Garden Club on our Magic Garden Portal. Read on to learn more about Cynthia.

Mini-Bio

Name | Location: Cynthia Abel, Henderson, Nevada

I am a third grade teacher at Hinman Elementary School. Go Huskies! I am co-lead of our Garden Committee and facilitator of our Green Paw Garden Club. I'm married and have two step kids and two furry babies.   

What’s been the best part of GardenConnect so far?

The biggest success of the GardenConnect program so far is being able to start a garden club. The resources, meetings, and workshops have all been inspirational.  I could not have done this without the support of Green Our Planet. 

When did you know you wanted to become a teacher?

I have wanted to become a teacher since I was a child. However, I only started teaching four years ago. I had two other careers before teaching.  

What's your favorite part of your job?

The kids are my favorite part of the job. They keep me on my toes and motivated to be creative.

What’s your least favorite part?

My least favorite part of the job is grading, a never ending process!

What’s the most important skill you've developed on your path as a teacher?

The most important skill I've developed as a teacher is letting go and giving up control! Okay, I'm still working on this skill, but I'm getting better at it. 

What changes have you seen in your students from using GardenConnect?

The students are excited about taking responsibility for the garden. They are learning how to use tools, plant, harvest, and compost. It has been wonderful to see how they have started to nurture their relationship with the garden. In addition, they are excited about sharing the garden with their families.  

What do you want to learn from this community of fellow GoP teachers?

I want to learn everything from this community! I want us to create and grow this school garden revolution together.

To learn more about our programs, join us at our next free 20-minute webinar.