Surrounded by more than 50 friends and supporters, Dorothy Mullen – a co-founder of the Princeton Schools Garden Cooperative – has been honored for initiating garden and food-based education programs by the Princeton Public Schools Board of Education.
Mullen, who initiated the program with three other women, was given a special proclamation at the school board’s July 16 meeting. The school board meeting room at the Valley Road administration building was overflowing with her supporters.
Mullen worked with Riverside Elementary School teachers and parent volunteers to turn a grassy slope outside of the school into a garden and to incorporate garden lessons into the curriculum, according to the proclamation.
The result is a garden residency that enable the children to “enjoy regular lessons in math, social studies, science and more in the garden, while planting, harvesting and tasting and expanding their palates for healthy food,” the proclamation said.
Garden education is thriving at all four Princeton public elementary schools, and the gardens are recognized as integral to the district’s mission of preparing the students to lead lives of joy and purpose, the proclamation said.
“The school gardens play a vital role in helping children develop skills, awareness and experiences as healthy decision-makers, with a deeper understanding of nutrition, the environment, science, math, culture and literature in themselves and their community,” the proclamation said.
The school board proclamation commended Mullen for her vision, indomitable spirit, creativity and generosity – “all of which shall continue to flourish in the gardens, and all of which enhance and reflect the mission of the Princeton Public Schools,” it said.
Gazing around the meeting room, Mullen, who was recently diagnosed with lung cancer, appeared amazed that “people from all over my life are here.”
In addition to establishing the school garden program, Mullen founded ‘The Suppers Program,’ which helps people learn how to live healthier lives. Food is an important component, according to its brochure. Participants gather in private homes and learn how to cook healthy meals.
“Food is arguably the most untapped resource for improving educational outcomes. We need our children to not have toxic brains. If children’s brains are polluted, if children’s blood sugar is all over the place, they can’t learn,” Mullen said.
A retired Riverside Elementary School teacher praised Mullen. She said the children loved the outdoor garden. One special needs student signed up to work in the garden after school, and she was amazed at how working in the garden made him calm.
Through Mullen’s mentoring, she said she learned about different foods – “good foods” – that helped her to control her diabetes.
“That’s just one person. How many lives have you literally saved by teaching them what to do. What an unbelievable legacy you have,” the woman said to Mullen.
