A Pasco County art teacher is going above and beyond for her school by helping to raise money and even spending some of her own to create a garden for her students.
A garden modeled after a Monet.
- Gayle Ratza wanted to create something out of unused space near her classroom
- Grant, volunteers from Lowe's helping with project
Students at Fox Hollow Elementary are getting a lesson from Mother Earth.
"Right now we're helping out with the garden," said 5th grader Tori Senior. "We're bringing the plants, we're laying down stones to make a pathway."
Gayle Ratza, Fox Hollow's art teacher for the past 12 years, came up with the unique lesson plan.
“My classroom walks right out to this area and every day we have to look at sand and weeds," said Ratza.
Inspired by the famous Giverny gardens of 19th Century Impressionist master Claude Monet, Ratza decided to take her lessons and her students out of the classroom. To help create the space she envisioned, she applyied for a Lowe’s $5,500 Toolbox Grant.
She got the grant and more -- when the company saw the project, they decided to kick in an additional $2,000 plus volunteers.
“It makes me feel happy, and that this school is special," said Senior.
Ratza expects the project to take about three days. After that, she says she looks forward to seeing how students will experience it.
"I'll probably read a book or write," said 5th grade student Sara Diehl.