According to Nicholson, the gardening lessons also provide opportunities for children to develop critical thinking and domestic maintenance skills.

In addition to her work at Emlen Elementary, Coleman co-founded Black Girls With Green Thumbs with Latiaynna Tabb to promote self-sufficiency through gardening, particularly for children on the autism spectrum.

For the past four years, Coleman has been teaching gardening to students in Sarah Nicholson's autistic support class at Emlen Elementary in Mount Airy, where her son also attended.

The initiative, Green Thumbs in Your School, was inspired by Pamia Coleman's experiences and aims to teach children essential gardening skills.

Coleman began her gardening journey with her son, who has autism, to help him overcome his fear of dirt and develop important life skills.

She emphasizes the importance of educating children about where their food comes from and fostering self-sufficiency, especially in the face of climate change.

Coleman believes that gardening can help reduce the carbon footprint by shortening the food supply chain and connecting kids directly to their food sources.

On a recent spring day, students from third to fifth grade planted sunflower seeds in mini-greenhouses made from cut water jugs and harvested microgreens for a taste test.

Students like 10-year-old Cameron Baker have learned the fundamental process of growing food, noting the need for soil, seeds, and water.

Nicholson has observed that the children enjoy gardening and take pride in sharing the produce with their families, highlighting a positive impact on their engagement.