School Spotlight: John Marshall Elementary School Assembly in Edison, NJ
- Shanna Truffini
- 6 hours ago
- 4 min read
Earlier this month, during Read Across America Week, we had the joy of digging into an incredible experience at John Marshall Elementary School Assembly in Edison, NJ, where we shared the You Are a Gardener® message through four interactive assemblies for more than 700 students in grades K through 5.
From the moment we arrived, we felt the warmth of a beautiful school community and a truly welcoming environment. The support from the counseling team was heartfelt, thoughtful, and deeply appreciated. John Marshall made us feel right at home, and that spirit of connection helped make the day so meaningful.
We also have to say, these were some of the most respectful groups of students we have ever had the privilege of working with. The students were engaged, entertained, thoughtful, and fully present throughout each assembly. It was such a rewarding experience to share our message with young gardeners who were ready to listen, reflect, and grow.
One of the most special parts of this visit was presenting side by side with Gardener Anna and Gardener Aidan, who both play an important role in our interactive assembly experience. Their presence helps students connect with what it looks like to grow as gardeners at every age and stage.
Gardener Anna shares a sincere and heartfelt message rooted in empathy. Her story helps students understand that we never truly know what someone else may be growing through. Her words encourage compassion, kindness, and a deeper awareness of the feelings others may be carrying quietly.
Gardener Aidan helps bring energy and creativity to the experience by presenting slides and jumping in to show students how to make foxtastic origami foxes. His involvement adds a hands-on and memorable layer to the assembly, giving students another meaningful way to connect with the message.
Our #PullYourWeeds® assembly is designed to be both educational and engaging. Together, we dig into the importance of identifying challenging feelings and stresses, keeping lines of communication open with trusted sources, and using gardening tools, the positive actions we can choose to help ourselves stay rooted in a calm, confident, creative mindset. We also explore why spreading seeds of kindness is needed now more than ever, and we share simple, effective ways students can plant those seeds each day.
Throughout the assembly, we highlight empathy and empower students with practical gardening tools they can use anytime, anywhere. It is always our goal to create an experience that is uplifting, memorable, and rooted in hope.
We were especially grateful to receive this kind note from the John Marshall Counseling Team:
Hi Shanna,
Thank you again for an amazing presentation. We are so grateful for the books you donated and the bookmarks for our students. Your two children were wonderful as well, and the students truly loved hearing your story and connecting with the message of your book. It was a very meaningful experience for our school community.
Thank you again for such a positive and inspiring visit. We truly appreciated having you at John Marshall.
Sincerely,
Lora, Annelyse, and Jessica John Marshall Counseling Team
We are so thankful for educators like Lora, Annelyse, and Jessica, whose care and support help important messages take root in powerful ways.
When an entire school community digs into a message together, wonderful things can grow.
Thank you, John Marshall Elementary School, for welcoming us so warmly and for allowing us to share in such a meaningful day with your students and staff.
You are gardeners!
In between assemblies, we found a special stop at Skylark Diner in Edison, NJ. We always love exploring local diners on the road, and this one did not disappoint. Deliciously homemade food and such a cozy spot. Gardener Anna recommends the chicken pot pie, and Gardener Aidan gives the disco fries a big thumbs up.
Exploring local spots like this is one of the ways we stay connected to the communities we visit. Each stop becomes a small but meaningful part of the journey, giving us time to pause, reflect, and recharge in between planting seeds. These moments together also give us space to bond, laugh, and appreciate the experience we are sharing side by side. It is in these simple, everyday places that we are reminded how much connection and kindness live all around us.
Is your school ready to dig into our #PullYourWeeds® School Assembly?
We offer custom school assemblies designed to meet the needs of your students and school community. Our programs are ideal for grades K through 8 and are created to inspire, encourage, and equip students with positive gardening tools they can carry with them long after the assembly ends.
To learn more or book an assembly, email us at flowers@youareagardener.com.
To read more School Spotlights, click here.
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