Question 1

When is the application window open and when are acceptances?

Accepted Answer

Our applications typically open in March/April prior to the school year you are applying for and close May 1.  We strive to notify applicants of their acceptance by May 15.  We might hold your name on a waitlist and notify you later in the summer if we have spaces that open up.

Question 2

Will these programs be virtual or face to face next year?

Accepted Answer

The EdEN Intern Program is entirely in-person, in your school garden/outdoor classroom. Note that because the EdEN Interns are UT students who live in Austin, this program is only open to schools within ~30 miles of UT-Austin.SproUTing Teachers is a combination of an online course and one-on-one coaching.  Coaching will take place either in person at your school is you are in the Austin-area or on a video call.

Question 3

Is there a fee for these programs?

Accepted Answer

Both SproUTing Teachers and the Outdoor Intern Program are currently free for participants thanks to generous support of our program by our donors.

Question 4

Can I participate in BOTH the SproUTing Teachers and the EdEN Interns Program at the same time?

Accepted Answer

This will be determined on a case-by-case basis. If you’re unsure of which program would best meet your needs, we encourage you to apply for both.

Question 5

Are these programs available for after-school clubs?

Accepted Answer

No.

Question 6

Which grade levels can apply?

Accepted Answer

For the EdEN Intern Program, priority is given to 1st - 5th grade teachers. Pre-K and Kinder applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

For SproUTing Teachers, there is no restriction on grade-level.

Question 7

If I am the only teacher applying for the program on my campus, am I less likely to be accepted?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, yes. Ideally a minimum of three applicants per school campus will be selected, so the more teachers at your campus that submit applications, the higher the likelihood that you will be considered for either program.

Question 8

If my whole team wants to apply for the program, do we submit one application?

Accepted Answer

Each individual teacher on your team should submit an application, and each individual teacher will be considered separately for whichever program you apply to (either SproUTing Teachers or the EdEN Intern Program). There is no guarantee that all teachers on a team will be accepted. If you are applying to the Garden Leadership track for SproUTing Teachers, you and your co-lead should complete only one application.  You will not be accepted into the program without a Garden co-lead.

Question 9

How many applicants are accepted into these programs each year?

Accepted Answer

EdEN Interns: there are approximately 15 Preceptor positions available. We will also be accepting ~10 teachers on a waitlist.SproUTing Teachers program: our acceptance level depends on our grant funding. In past years, we have accepted around 160 teachers into the program.

Question 10

Do we need to have an existing garden in order to apply for these programs?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You must have an existing, functional, actively maintained garden space to be considered for either of these programs.

Question 11

Do either of these programs include garden maintenance?

Accepted Answer

EdEN Interns are required to complete 5 hours of garden maintenance per semester, but this is NOT meant to be the only form of maintenance for your garden.The SproUTing Teachers program does not include any garden maintenance. The Garden Lead course will address maintenance as part of your coaching and how to develop maintenance support within your school community.

Question 12

When will we find out if we have been accepted into either program?

Accepted Answer

Please see the first question on this page for the timeline.

FAQ

Jump To

General

When is the application window open and when are acceptances?

Will these programs be virtual or face to face next year?

Is there a fee for these programs?

Can I participate in BOTH the SproUTing Teachers and the EdEN Interns Program at the same time?

Are these programs available for after-school clubs?

Which grade levels can apply?

If I am the only teacher applying for the program on my campus, am I less likely to be accepted?

If my whole team wants to apply for the program, do we submit one application?

How many applicants are accepted into these programs each year?

Do we need to have an existing garden in order to apply for these programs?

Do either of these programs include garden maintenance?

When will we find out if we have been accepted into either program?

SproUTing Teachers

What is the commitment expected from teachers who are accepted into SproUTing Teachers?

How long are the SproUTing Teachers coaching sessions?

What is the difference between the coaching tracks?

Can my school apply to more than one coaching track?

Do you provide funding to school gardens or help schools build school gardens?

EdEN Interns

What is the expected commitment from teachers who are accepted as Preceptors in the EdEN Interns Program?

Is it possible to have more than one pair of Interns for the EdEN Interns Program? For example, if I teach all the 5th grade science classes on campus?"

Is it possible for EdEN Interns lessons to be taught in Spanish for a bilingual/dual language class?

What type of training will my EdEN Interns receive prior to teaching lessons?

How long are the EdEN Interns lessons?

What are some possible lesson topics my EdEN Interns might teach to my class?