Join Us!

Educator at the Josiah Quincy School (Fridays 3:30pm - 5:00pm): Educators will work directly with the 5th graders at the Josiah Quincy Elementary School in Chinatown and collaborate with TUGI's chapter director, Halle, and garden director, Sophia, to present lesson plans and lead activities as a group. This school has their own garden, so the TUGI team will be able to plant seeds and teach students about growing seasons. This role will begin in late February, but preparation will take place in the weeks prior.

Educator at the Mission Grammar School (Thursdays 7:45am - 8:30am): Educators will work directly with the 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students at the Mission Grammar School in Fenway and collaborate with TUGI's volunteer coordinator, Kit to present lesson plans and lead activities as a group. The Mission Grammar School is primarily interested in environmental activism and community development, so the majority of the lessons at this school will revolve around those principles. This role will take place on select mornings in March and April, but preparation will take place in the weeks prior.

Educator at the Gardener Pilot Academy (Tuesdays 3:30pm - 4:30pm): Educators will work directly with the 1st graders at the Gardner Pilot Academy in Allston and collaborate with TUGI's partnership coordinator, Annabel and treasurer, Becky to present lesson plans and lead activities as a group. The Gardner Pilot Academy is primarily interested in learning the basics of gardening in an engaging, hands-on manner, so the majority of the lessons at this school will be based on this idea. This role will begin on March 15th and continue for 6 weeks, but preparation will take place in the weeks prior.

Lesson Plan Writing: Lesson plan writers will collaborate with school educators and work on a cohesive curriculum for each school. Writers will develop plans that are tailored to each age group as well as activities that are engaging to both students and volunteers. Our writing team will also bring creativity and liveliness into learning! Think of what you would have been interested in as a kid and channel that into the TUGI curriculum.

Garden Planning: Garden planners will research growing seasons and plan gardens at our partner schools. Planners will develop timelines for planting, fertilizing, weeding, and watering to keep our gardens happy, healthy, and thriving!

Garden Building: Garden builders will follow the aforementioned garden plans and prepare our garden spaces for young students to learn and grow crops and harvest knowledge! This role is great for any volunteer with a green thumb who likes to get dirty!

Garden Tending: The garden tending crew will follow the timeline set up by the garden planners and work together to fertilize and water our crops as needed, when not watered for fertilized by our young students. Gardeners will also work with the educators at the Quincy School as they grow and look after their garden.

Art Initiatives: Calling all creatives! We have a few art initiatives this semester including the artwork surrounding the Quincy School Garden as well as a mural at the Kenmore Classroom Building. We need artist volunteers to help the Quincy students with painting their garden space. The Kenmore mural is a partnership between us, BU's ESO, and muralist Erin Genia. For this mural, we'd like to have it centered around indigenous history as well.

Fundraising: Last but not least, to do it all we will need funds! Our treasurer, Becky, has put together a cookbook fundraiser which we will need help publicizing. In the past, we have raised money for our local community fridges, now we need money for our own gardens! Any other fundraising ideas are welcome as well, we can't wait to hear your input! If you would personally like to donate to TUGI, click here!