Donna Alese Cooke

Welcome

Spring 2011 ETAP 524: “What Do We Do With All That Trash?”

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Fall 2010 ETAP 623: Garden-Based Learning Across the Curriculum

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Professional

I work for Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Rockland County. My position is Community Horticulture Educator and I wear many hats, which makes my work alot of fun. I develop training and ongoing professional development for the 100 master gardener volunteers I manage. These folks then go out in the community and teach gardening, horticulture and environmental programs for children and adults. Here's some of the educational programs we do:

http://rocklandschoolgardener.blogspot.com/

http://rocklandmastergardener.blogspot.com/p/community-horticulture-home-gardening_11.html

Last year, I started something called the School Garden Network, a resource for teachers and schools in Rockland County who want to integrate garden-based learning into their curriculum. My goal is to provide professional developoment for teachers, and resources and guidance for schools to start a garden or use the gardens they have as outdoor learning labs. It's amazing how many kids do not know where vegetables come from!

I currently working with Cornell University to develop an online Moodle course (tho be launched September 2011) for NYS Teachers called: Teaching & Learning in the School Garden.

Education

SUNY Farmingdale- Ornamental Horticulture

SUNY New Paltz- Elementary Ed & English

Pre-K-6 Childhood Education Certfication

Certified Volunteer Administrator