At NeuroRestorative Academy in Elkton, Maryland, students aren’t just hitting the books—they’re digging in the dirt and watching their hard work bloom. Thanks to the inspired vision of Case Manager Erin McGee, MS, a new gardening project has taken root, offering students a powerful, hands-on learning experience that goes far beyond the classroom.
At NeuroRestorative Academy in Elkton, Maryland, students aren’t just hitting the books—they’re digging in the dirt and watching their hard work bloom. Thanks to the inspired vision of Case Manager Erin McGee, MS, a new gardening project has taken root, offering students a powerful, hands-on learning experience that goes far beyond the classroom.
Serving students primarily between the ages of 10 and 21, many of whom participate in NeuroRestorative Academy residential programs in the communities around the school, the Academy is dedicated to supporting unique journeys of growth. Erin saw the potential for a garden to mirror this mission.
Beginning in the spring of 2025, Erin launched the project with three classes. Her goal was to create something truly special, so she involved the students every step of the way. “I wanted the garden project to be something the students would be proud of,” said Erin.
After planning all project steps with fellow Academy team members, three raised garden beds were installed in the school yard, ready for planting. The journey began with shopping trips for essential supplies—soil, tools, and the vital components: the plants themselves.
To enrich the health curriculum and encourage healthy eating, each class was tasked with selecting one flower and one vegetable. The choices were diverse and delicious. Classroom one chose peppers, classroom two chose carrots, and classroom three selected tomatoes.
The students carefully planted their selections, tending to their garden beds throughout the late spring and early summer. This collaborative effort fostered teamwork, patience, and a tangible understanding of the life cycle of plants.
By July, the moment of truth arrived: the harvest! The students were thrilled to see the vibrant results of their labor ready to be picked and eaten. This payoff transformed the abstract concept of hard work into a rewarding, physical reality.
Reflecting on the success of the project, Erin offered a beautiful sentiment that connects the garden’s life lessons to the students’ personal paths: “Everybody grows in different ways.” Just like their unique and varied harvest, the student’s individual journeys at NeuroRestorative Academy are varied, proving that with nurturing and effort, everyone can blossom.
This is just one example of vocational opportunities NeuroRestorative provides to students in our various schools. In addition, we offer an array of services and life skills that help students become more independent and thrive.
