About Us
Our Mission
Our Program
Our Team
Our History
Our Annual Stats
Dollars Raised
Thanks to our Donors, Sponsors, Community Partners and event attendees, we raised 16,000 during the 2018 – 2019 budget year.
Volunteers
Thanks to the efforts of our Volunteer Coordinator, we had 150 volunteers serving the Green Classroom during the 2018 – 2019 school year.
Produce Bags Harvested
According to our Share the Harvest report the Becker Green Classroom harvested 625 shopping bags of produce during the 2018 – 2019 school year.
Students Served
Combining the 1500 AISD Earth Camp students and 445 Becker Elementary Students we served 1,945 total during the 2018 – 2019 school year.
Our Mission & Vision
Our mission is to facilitate environmental stewardship, wellness and equity for Becker Elementary students and their community in an experiential outdoor learning space.
The Becker Green Classroom engages children in growing, harvesting, and tasting flavorful food in beautiful gardens. Through hands-on activities guided by community volunteers, students apply and gain knowledge through integrated curriculum concepts, while becoming aware of nature’s cycles and sustainable practices.
Our vision is to create communities of aware and engaged individuals living sustainably in a just world.
Our Program
The Becker Green Classroom is a self-funded, independent 501c3 non-profit organization that operates out of an AISD owned facility on the Becker Elementary Campus in Austin, TX.
In partnership with City of Austin Watershed Protection Department’s EARTH CAMP and Becker Elementary, we offer each Becker class its own designated garden bed and the opportunity to participate throughout the school year in a weekly, hour-long learning session led by our volunteers. Our facility also provides an office and outdoor learning space for the EARTH CAMP program 4 days a week during the school year.
Our Team
The Becker Green Classroom team is a unique partnership of the Becker Green Classroom non-profit, Becker Elementary, The City of Austin Watershed Protection Department, and a multitude of volunteers that make up the Board, Steering Committee and Garden Class Teachers.
The Board of Directors provides continuity for the Becker Green Classroom, supports the Steering Committee, manages the finances and assures that expenditures and activities are consistent with the mission of the organization.
The Steering Committee plans and implements all programs and activities of the Green Classroom, maintains care of the garden site, and makes decisions about expenditures, programming, and site changes.
We have one part time staff position, the Volunteer Coordinator, which is funded by The City of Austin Watershed Protection Department
Earth Camp:
Get to Know Us
Board of Directors
Rhonda McGaughey, President
Heather Santana, Vice President
Belle Hoverman, Treasurer
Alex Robinson, Secretary
Chantel Acosta Saubon, Member at Large
Sameera Balay, Member at Large
Steering Committee
Activities & Curriculum
Communications & Marketing
Fundraising & Events
Garden Class Supplies & Support
Garden to Cafe
Horticulture
Maintenance
PTA Chicken Coop Liason
Staff
Kathleen McWhorter, Volunteer Coordinator
Earth Camp Staff
Susan Wall, Conservation Program Coordinator
Jessica Gordon, Conservation Program Coordinator
Sarah Heilman, Conservation Program Coordinator
Sara Hilgers, Earth Camp Green Classroom Leader
Vivian Loftin, Earth Camp Green Classroom Leader
Cassy Shaukat, Earth Camp Leader
Stephanie Marsh, Earth Camp Teacher LED1 Leader
Sarah Donelson, Earth Camp Teacher LED2 Leader
Ryan Cooper, Earth Camp Sub
Our History
Happy Birthday!
The 2019 – 2020 school year marks the Becker Green Classroom’s 30th anniversary!
Created in 1989 by Carla Marshall, the Becker Green Classroom has a proven track record of developing innovative programs to peak students’ interest in learning.
We have been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Texas Governor’s Clean Texas 2000 Award, The President’s Environmental Youth Award, and the Renew America Award for Environmental Sustainability and Natural Resource Conservation.
Children need nature for the healthy development of their senses, and therefore, for learning and creativity.
Our Live Oak Community Partners
Get In Touch
Make a Donation Today
Giving ONline
Clicking any of our donation buttons will take you directly to The Becker Green Classroom PayPal account. We also accept donations and payments via Venmo @GreenClassroom-Treasurer
Giving By Check
Prefer to send your donation by check? Make it out to The Becker Green Classroom and mail to 1701 Briar St. Austin, TX 78704 Please include a note with your name, address and phone or email so, we can send a thank you and tax receipt.
How Donations Are Used
The goals of our Donation programs are to raise funds for our operating costs, awareness about our incredible garden, and to increase volunteer involvement so that all children at our school can have the opportunity to participate.
1701 Briar St, Austin TX 78704
info@beckergreenclassroom.org