In this issue of our BCAITC Teacher Champion series, we profile BC teacher Ashley McPherson. Discover her passion for educating students about BC agriculture, food, and the environment.

Q: What school do you teach? A: I teach at Lena Shaw Elementary School in Surrey.
 

Q: What grade(s) do you teach? A: I am teaching Grade 2 this year, but I have taught Grade 1 for the last 7 years.

Q: How and when did you first learn about BCAITC? A: I first learned about BCAITC through the completion of UBC Summer Institute (EDCP 329 – Agriculture in the Curriculum) in 2019. As someone who values hands-on and real-world learning, I was immediately drawn to BCAITC’s approach to connecting curriculum to the land, food systems, and sustainability.
 

Q: How long have you been teaching students about BC agriculture and food? A: I’ve been incorporating BC agriculture and food topics into my teaching for 8 years. Even before I discovered BCAITC, I was passionate about helping students understand how their food is grown and why it’s essential to respect the natural systems that support it. I especially enjoy incorporating the role of pollinators, like bees, to highlight how interconnected and vital these systems are.

Q: What are the most important things that you want your students to learn about BC agriculture and food? A: I want my students to see how interconnected people, land, and food truly are and that the food we eat doesn’t magically appear on shelves, but is the result of farmer’s dedication and the ecosystems we share with other living things. Every year, I highlight the vital role of pollinators, especially bees, in sustaining our food systems. I want students to understand just how crucial bees are to our crops and how deeply our food security depends on them. Without these hardworking pollinators, both our world and our plates would look dramatically different.

Q: BCAITC has over 500 free downloadable resources including lesson plans, activities, videos, recipes, and more! What is your favourite BCAITC resource and why? A: One of my favourite resources is the Planting a Promise resource units. It beautifully combines science, art, and environmental stewardship in a way that’s accessible for young learners of all abilities. It also offers wonderful opportunities for cross-curricular integration. There’s something so powerful about watching kids plant seeds, care for them, and witness their growth. It’s such a rewarding and hands-on experience for students. I’m also hoping to incorporate some of the recipes next year to bring cooking into the classroom and continue fostering that hands-on connection with food. 

Q: What is your favourite BCAITC program and why?  A: I really love the Spuds in Tubs program. It’s such a fun, hands-on way for students to experience the full cycle of food, from planting and caring for potatoes, to harvesting them, and then enjoying the delicious results. Seeing the excitement on their faces when they dig up their own potatoes is truly rewarding, and it creates a lasting memory of healthy food and outdoor learning. I’m also hoping to try the Common Ground Strawberry Project sometime soon. Fingers crossed!

Q: Describe an agriculture or food-based project/program you have implemented in your classroom/school recently. A: Recently, we planted a diverse range of items in our school garden planters, like some herbs, strawberries, radishes, and sprouts. We also created a vibrant pollinator garden filled with local Indigenous plants like western yarrow, common camas, biscuit root, common woolly sunflower, and fireweed. The students played a big role in planning what to grow, designing beautiful plant markers, and taking turns watering and observing the changes in our garden. One of my favourite parts of this project was teaching our unit on pollinators. It was incredible to see the student’s curiosity grow as they learned how bees and other pollinators help many of our garden plants reproduce.

Q: Do you have any advice for other educators on how to integrate agriculture and food education into their curriculum?  A: Start small! Even something as simple as growing seeds in cups on a windowsill can ignite curiosity and spark meaningful conversations. Connect the learning to what your students already care about: nature, animals, family, or their favourite foods. Don’t overlook the power of pollinators as an engaging entry point! Kids are naturally fascinated by bees, and that interest can open the door to discussions about food systems, biodiversity, and our responsibility to care for the environment.

About the Teacher Champion Series: This monthly BCAITC series features BC teachers and school staff who are passionate about providing agriculture and food education to K-12 students. For more information, contact BCAITC Communications Coordinator, communications@aitc.ca.