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

Q: What school do you teach? A: I teach at Ellison Elementary School in Kelowna, BC.

Q: What grade(s) do you teach? A: I teach Grade 2.

Q: How and when did you first learn about BCAITC? A: At the start of 2024, our Administrative Assistant introduced me to BCAITC. The Planting a Promise program immediately caught my attention as a wonderful opportunity to start our fall activities.

Q: How long have you been teaching students about BC agriculture and food? A: For most of my career! Before COVID, I facilitated a food-based program where students explored and tasted a variety of foods from different food groups. Now, with my school building an outdoor classroom and garden, I’m excited to incorporate hands-on food growing experiences into my program.

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 understand that food doesn’t just come from the grocery store — it has a journey. By engaging them in the process of growing, planting, harvesting, and distributing food, they gain a deeper appreciation for BC agriculture and the people behind it. This hands-on experience fosters a meaningful connection to their food and its impact on their lives.

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: Currently, I'm exploring the "What Does It Take to Produce Food?" poster in my classroom. This visual resource offers a detailed overview of the agricultural industry, breaking it down into key components. I plan to use it with my class next school year, guiding students to explore each element step by step to gain a deeper understanding of food production.

Q: What is your favourite BCAITC program and why? A: So far, I’ve participated in Planting a Promise and Fresh to You Fundraiser, but I’m eager to get involved in more programs offered by BCAITC! If I had to choose a favourite among them, it would be Fresh to You Fundraiser. It gave my students the opportunity to take on leadership roles and experience a real sense of accomplishment.

Q: Describe an agriculture or food-based project/program you have implemented in your classroom/school recently. A: We recently completed the Fresh to You Fundraiser program, which provided a fantastic opportunity for students to learn about the fresh produce arriving at our school. We explored how to prepare each item and discussed their nutritional benefits, sparking engaging conversations about healthy eating and local food systems.

Q: Do you have any advice for other educators on how to integrate agriculture and food education into their curriculum? A: My advice would be to start small by incorporating a single supported program, like those offered by BCAITC. This provides a manageable entry point and a solid foundation to build on.

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.