At least three things make Erin Alvarez an undischarged environmental gardening pedagogue .
First , she has teaching chop . Whether it ’s radical classes or one - on - one plant propagation project , she permit students to build up their cognition and skills in industry - essential functions .
Then there ’s the way she connects with bookman . She ’s not afraid to get pathetic in a curriculum , with denotation to Lord of the Rings and a joke about office hour : " you could ask questions , get explanations , public lecture works , or just stare blankly ( 2 - minute stare bound if there ’s a occupation ) . " She put up meme to GroupMe ( OK , I do n’t know what that is either ; that ’s why I ca n’t do what Alvarez does ) . She models a whistle - while - you - work ethic : If she has to deplumate weeds , she says , the work is the same with a scowl or a smile or a Spotify playlist , but the experience is n’t . student rave about the chili she makes for the UF Environmental Horticulture Club universal body encounter ( orphic constituent : dark chocolate ) .
The third and most important rationality why she was nominate for the FNGLA ’s 2022 Outstanding Educator Industry Award is the way she connect her students with you . As former FNGLA President Ed Bravo order in support of the nomination , Alvarez is the bridge connecting UF / IFAS , students , and FNGLA .
The last dinner party Alvarez set between FNGLA Frontrunners Chapter members , and students went so well , Bravo said , it ended only because they felt defective keeping the cleaning gang recently .
Alvarez ’s students volunteer for Frontrunners Chapter community service project , most recently a landscaping problem at the Alachua County Fire Department headquarters . Her 15 twelvemonth of membership in FNGLA , industry experience , and rapport with professionals have made her the go - to resource to link up student club leader seeking guest speaker recommendations with the expertise of FNGLA pros .
Alvarez advised the Environmental Horticulture club as it took the orotund scholarly person - run poinsettia sale in the nation online during the pandemic — and still recorded record sales .
She knows how to tend a sale because she did it as a student 20 age ago . She has advice and answer for today ’s students who launch the sales , but first and foremost , she has spike to take heed to their questions .
And that ’s what last class ’s lobster plant sale head agriculturist , Samantha Osley , said was so worthful . She call Alvarez in a panic a few time : Is this glyphosate damage or a nourishing lack ? Can you check my fertilizer figuring ? How do I cover this personality or scheduling conflict ? Where do I get polo shirts for a exposure shoot ? Osley said Alvarez ’s calm patience and counsel got her past the panic and back on track .
FNGLA compellingly recount her story through a TV that enamor Alvarez ’s connection to students , her wacky side , her deft cutaneous senses with plants , and her long human relationship with FNGLA . The only thing missing from the present moment was Alvarez — she was ill and could n’t make it to Orlando .
For more information : FNGLA1533 Park Center DriveOrlando , FL 32835 - 5705Toll - Free : +1 ( 800 ) 375 - 3642 thyroxine : +1 ( 407 ) 295 - 7994F : +1 ( 407 ) 295 - 1619Email:[email protected]www.fngla.org
