Ground Education Receives Support from Dr. Faustino Bernadett

About Ground Education

Ground Education is a nonprofit that brings students closer to nature, healthy eating, and environmental awareness through interactive, garden-centered lessons. Co-founded more than ten years ago by educators and gardeners Holland Brown and Karen Taylor, the program started in their children’s kindergarten classroom. Since then, it has grown into a TK–8 curriculum serving students across elementary schools in Long Beach.

Building Equitable and Inclusive Learning Spaces

Ground Education believes that nature spaces are teaching spaces where everyone can thrive. The organization recognizes that systemic racism, discrimination, and environmental injustice limit access to land, nature, and educational opportunities, particularly for Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and lower-income communities.

Ground Education works to address these inequities by building welcoming gardens in Long Beach elementary schools and facilitating year-round, hands-on lessons for every child. Its goal is to create natural learning environments where all students feel seen, heard, supported, and valued.

The organization is committed to a growth mindset, mutual respect, integrity, collaboration, and promoting equity. It strives to reflect the diversity of identities, perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences of the students and communities it serves across its board, staff, curriculum, and garden design.

How Donations Make an Impact

Donations to Ground Education help support school gardens and hands-on programs in local elementary schools. These programs give students lessons that include nature as well as subjects like math, science, history, and nutrition, all in on-campus gardens where they can learn by doing.

Ground Education encourages students to explore their environment, think critically, and understand how different concepts connect. Gardens serve as spaces where students can build knowledge, develop a love for nature, and learn life skills such as teamwork and responsibility that go beyond the classroom.

Dr. Faustino Bernadett: Supporting Education and the Community

Nearly all teachers reported that students showed more enthusiasm for school and learning through their involvement with Ground Education. Dr. Faustino Bernadett’s support helps the organization continue offering these opportunities.

Giving back to the community is important to Faustino ‘Tino’ Bernadett. He supports education and believes in creating opportunities for young people to succeed. By backing programs like Ground Education, Dr. Bernadett helps ensure students have access to hands-on learning experiences that can positively shape their future.