About Me

In 2001, I founded the CitySprouts school garden program in the Cambridge Public Schools. In partnership with other parents and teachers, we developed a program that embedded nature based learning in the school day. Students across Cambridge use their CitySprouts garden and the assistance of the CitySprouts garden educator to deepen learning in literacy, math and especially in science. In 2012, the CitySprouts program expanded to include Boston Public School classrooms. 

I led CitySprouts’ growth from a volunteer program in 2001 to a $1.1 million organization when I retired in 2023. Under my leadership, CitySprouts was selected as a Social Innovator by the Social Innovation Forum and was recognized by Boston Public Schools (BPS) as an exemplary STEM literacy program that makes science more accessible to students. In 2022, I received an Inspire Award from the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, and in 2023, I received Citysprouts’ Environmental & Community Impact Award.

I have lived in Cambridge since 1993, when my husband and I moved from Somerville to North Cambridge. Both of our daughters attended Cambridge Public Schools from preschool through high school, attending Special Start Preschool at the Fitzgerald, Haggerty, Graham and Parks, Peabody, and Cambridge Rindge and Latin School. Our family has been a member of the St. James’s Episcopal Church community in Porter Square  for over 30 years.

 Currently, I am an interim executive director for Boston-area nonprofits undergoing leadership transitions, in partnership with Interim Executive Solutions. I have published two books on the topic of nature-based learning: Ripe for Change (Harvard Education Press, 2015), a big-picture view of the school garden movement and the benefits for learning, and We Garden Together, an activity book for families, with photographer Kim Lowe (Hachette Book Group, 2023).

I am eager to bring my perspectives as a parent, author, educator, and nonprofit director to Cambridge Public Schools as a member of the school committee.