The Tea Project
Imagine a world where elementary school children grow herbs in a school garden, harvest them and drink herbal tea together mindfully every day.
The routines of the classroom and the rhythm of the day nourish the children.
These children understand the plant cycle from seed to belly because they care for the plants at every stage.
They learn to apply the cycle of the seasons to their social and emotional learning and in their classroom family.
Children then experience how we are part of nature, subject to change, resilient, unique and beautiful.
About The Tea Project
The Tea Project is a standards-based initiative for educators, in which they ideally immerse themselves in (3) consecutive courses, starting at any point in the course offering. One may also choose to take individual classes. Participants gain skills mindfulness, coregulation, naturalist and herbal tea and gardening, and in customize these skills for their individual classroom of students and their own internal constitution as a teacher.
As a result, elementary school children experience the plant cycle, weather and seasons, and develop self-care, empathy, body awareness, mindfulness, and science observation skills through the lens of growing and preparing perennial healing herbs.
The Tea Project is presented as a seres of (3) - 3 credit graduate courses for educators through Castleton University Center for Schools, VT . Curricula is included with each course.
Fall & Spring courses are online, asynchronous and self-paced with (1) day long in-person training per semester, which is available in a recording if students cannot be there in person. Students are expected to participate in readings, reflective communication, curricular implementations, all assignments, and direct consulting sessions with the instructor.
The Summer Week Long Course is 100% in person, a deep dive into the natural world, experiential and deeply nourishing. It is offered biannually.
Fall
Mindfulness and CoRegulation in the Classroom
Fall 2024: Online
Mindfulness Skills for the Educator: Self and Professional
A Mindful Rhythm for the Classroom
CoRegulation: Tea Time in the Classroom
Mindful Tasting: Taste and Flavor bring balance to the learner
Spring
Designing, Planning and Caring for a Perennial Tea Garden in Schools (Online)
Spring 2024: Online
Build and design a perennial herb garden
Grow a supply of herbal teas for your classroom
Create a rhythm of daily tea and mindfulness practices in the classroom
Summer
Forest & Garden: Plant Literacy for the Nature Based Educator
July 14-18, 2024
Marshfield, Vermont
The Summer Residency is an immersion in: nature, routines of sensory integration and regulation, science observation, harvesting and using herbs to support nervous system health and well-being for you and your students.
Testimonials
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“Angie shared her knowledge of the natural world so freely with me during her ‘Mindfulness in the Daily Cup of Tea’ class.
I have also learned from her how to focus daily on my own well-being and mindfulness practice so I can share myself more freely with my students. I am benefiting from harvesting my own herbs and making my own tea. As I become more comfortable with what I am learning, I teach the kids with the wonderful lesson plans provided in the course. Nature is the true teacher and I'm the guide, sharing what I learned from the Tea Project Courses!”
- Amy Braun
PreK-6th Outdoor Educator
Rochester, Vermont
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“Angie is a kind and compassionate educator who brings a truly unique learning experience to her course.
Her ability to connect the vast array of knowledge that she has from her expertise as an outdoor educator, mindfulness instructor and herbalist to ground these teachings in indigenous practice is truly remarkable. I will use many of these lessons, songs, games and stories in my Kindergarten classroom for years to come!”
-Hope Metcalf
Kindergarten Teacher
Plainfield, VT
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“Working with Angie Barger is a gift in itself. Her wisdom and knowledge of plants is pure magic.
She has many years not only of working in direct connection with plants and the natural world, but also working with children outdoors. She understands the important role teachers play in exposing children to the properties of plants and how this can promote balance and wellness amongst the classroom community. I can not recommend this course enough, you will learn and grow as an individual and as a teacher.
-Elaina Foxx
PreK teacher
Waitsfield, VT
“Angie shared her knowledge of the natural world so freely with me during her ‘Mindfulness in the Daily Cup of Tea’ class. I have also learned from her how to focus daily on my own well-being and mindfulness practice so I can share myself more freely with my students. I am benefiting from harvesting my own herbs and making my own tea. As I become more comfortable with what I am learning, I teach the kids with the wonderful lesson plans provided in the course. Nature is the true teacher and I'm the guide, sharing what I learned from the Tea Project Courses!”
- Amy Braun
PreK-6th Outdoor Educator (Online and Residency Student)
Rochester, Vermont