A new chapter in hands-on learning bloomed yesterday at Stafford Early Childhood Center (ECC), where students, staff, families, and district leaders gathered for the official ribbon cutting ceremony of the campus’s brand-new Reading Garden. The project, made possible through a budding partnership with nonprofit organization Sprouting Texas, promises to root literacy, science, and environmental stewardship into the hearts of Stafford’s youngest learners.
The garden—a vibrant blend of storytelling and sustainability—was brought to life through the joint efforts of Stafford ECC kindergarten teacher Johanna Chesser and Sprouting Texas founder Stephanie Smith. The duo’s shared vision has literally taken root with a space designed to ignite curiosity and joy while connecting children to nature and literacy. “We’re sprouting something special in Stafford, Texas,” said Smith during her overview of the program, nodding to the broader mission of Sprouting Texas to establish school gardens across the state.