Blog

It’s Earth Week, and there’s no better time to spotlight the everyday champions making a real difference for our planet, and our children. At Out Teach, one of those champions is Daniel Morgan, our Director of the School Partner Network and the heart behind our Evergreen Program. 

Through Evergreen, Daniel helps schools keep their outdoor spaces thriving...places where science feels real, curiosity grows wild, and students get to learn with their hands in the dirt. The program is powered by our amazing partners at the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation, who share our belief that real change starts in local communities. 

So, what does a day in the life look like for someone who’s helping put the ever in Evergreen, making sure schools' outdoor learning labs are vibrant, season after season? We tagged along (figuratively) to find out. 

Daniel’s day typically starts with coffee and a couple of word games to get his brain buzzing, unless it’s a school visit day. “Then it's straight into the truck if possible to beat the traffic to wherever my first stop is,” he says with a laugh. 

And that truck? Always stocked with his trusty zipper tool pouch: “Never walk into a school garden without a water key, tape measure, pocket knife, gloves, and pen and paper,” he advises. Essentials only. 

Ask Daniel to describe his typical day, and you won’t hear about spreadsheets or back-to-back Zooms. “The cliché about ‘half of life is showing up’ really applies here,” he says. “So much of what teachers and schools need is for people to just be there for them.” 

That might mean showing up with a smile and a new hose. Or helping build out a planting calendar. Or being a sounding board for a new idea a teacher wants to try. “Spending time with people who are genuinely glad to see you, spending time outdoors, and being in the presence of kids is what brings a sense of hope that’s hard to beat.” 

A big part of the Evergreen Program is the Community of Practice, regular gatherings where Garden Coordinators come together to swap ideas, learn new strategies, and support one another. 

“At first, I thought asking teachers to meet more might be a tough sell,” Daniel admits. “But they’ve actually become one of the most-loved parts of the program.” 

Why? Because connection matters. “Whether we’re talking about how to start a Garden Committee or when to plant seasonal vegetables, teachers are learning with and from each other, and that momentum really sticks.” 

Since its launch, the Evergreen Program has evolved into something more agile and impactful. “We’ve pared it down organically,” Daniel explains. “I’m most excited about piloting a new 9-week ‘boot camp’ model that gives teachers the same level of support in a shorter window of time. That way, we can serve more schools and still make a big impact.” 

To Daniel, the Evergreen Program is “a residency for a Garden Coordinator”—an immersive, supportive experience that helps educators build the skills, routines, and confidence they need to keep their outdoor spaces thriving year-round. 

So what does Earth Day mean to someone who lives this work every day? 

“It’s a reminder to slow down, reconnect with nature, and remember what it means to care for something living,” Daniel shares. “Whether you’re planting something new or just noticing the changes in your garden, those little actions matter.” 

And when the week wraps up, you’ll likely find Daniel doing what he loves most—spending time with his family and getting his hands dirty in his own backyard garden. “That’s how I unwind. It grounds me.”