Kathy Meena

Meena’s innovative teaching idea, “Special Hearts Farm,” is designed to provide 12th grade students who have disabilities with an opportunity to learn job skills before aging out of public school. In addition to caring for 60 animals, the students will also maintain a flourishing garden and make products for the farm store. The program is the first of its kind in Florida and focuses on teaching skills in organic gardening and landscaping. Students will learn about hydroponics, how to operate farm machinery and even how to create healthy recipes through a “gardening for nutrition” lesson plan. Students will also have the opportunity to connect with agriculture-based employment opportunities upon graduation. With the help of a Voya Unsung Heroes grant, the school will be able to purchase additional equipment such as battery-powered mowers and weed eaters. In addition to accommodating more student participation and job skills training, this equipment will allow the project to operate more efficiently.