Health & Wellness Learning to Last a Lifetime - Teachers Honor Teachers
- Tara Soederstrom, Madison Middle School
“Mrs. Colarik believes fostering learning and growth through the outdoors and hands-on learning is imperative.”
-Tara Soederstrom
Here at Madison Middle School, great things are happening. We have recently implemented an outdoor classroom for our students and a school garden, thanks to Melissa Colarik's efforts. Mrs. Colarik is a physical education teacher and a coach, making a difference in the lives of her students daily. She believes fostering learning and growth through the outdoors and hands-on learning is imperative. Mrs. Colarik's vision is that even though the district is a low-income title school, the kids deserve to know skills that can benefit them and their overall health for a lifetime, not just during the time they are with us.
Last spring, a school garden was planted when students were learning about nutrition and healthy ways to fuel their bodies. So far, more than 300 students have taken part in this garden. The students prepare, plant, harvest, and jar salsa using our crops. Not only do they get this hands-on experience, but they also learn how it applies to lifelong health and wellness. Beyond tending to the garden, the students are following up with a research project. They are studying what nutrients are in the foods being planted, their caloric values, how to plant them, growing temperature, growing times, and water intake, amongst many other things.
The benefits do not stop. Mrs. Colarik's students are partnering with our art classes to make plant markers and signs for both the garden and outdoor classroom. The science classes are talking about pollination and testing our soil to learn about pH values and what the plants need from the soil.
With Mrs. Colarik’s strategic planning, the 8th-grade science classes have started all the plants for our spring crops in their classrooms. This is a school and community project that teaches our students lifelong skills to live healthy lives from adolescence to adulthood.
There are so many advantages to learning outside, and Mrs. Colarik has played an important role in making this possible. She saw that there was a need and understood the benefits that would come along with having an outdoor classroom. She has promoted fundraising, community involvement, and awareness. She volunteers numerous hours tending to the garden outside the school day and year. Her passion for this project is leaving a substantial impact on the students of Madison Middle School.
Melissa Colarik is a great asset to the school and to the community. Madison Middle School is very lucky to have her. She is impacting our students in so many ways. She exemplifies what every district should be looking for in an educator and a role model for their students.
Melissa Colarik’s positive attitude helps her accomplish anything she sets her mind to. She is a true asset to Madison, Madison Local Schools, her colleagues, and the families she touches daily.
Teachers Honor Teachers
The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation launched a new program in 2023 inviting teachers to recognize a colleague they know is doing exceptional work in the classroom.
In the above post, Tara Soederstrom expresses her admiration for fellow teacher, Melissa Colarik. Thank you to both educators for your dedication to students and for taking the time to showcase what it means to deliver challenging, innovative, and student-centered lessons that result in powerful and deep learning.
Through the Teachers Honor Teachers Program, The Foundation is seeking Ohio public school teachers to share great things about a teaching colleague in an Ohio public school that ensures deep learning for students. If we choose to post your story, we will award $500 toward that teacher's classroom for their great work and $500 toward your classroom for honoring their excellence. Apply here.