How this Detroit teacher uses an outdoor garden to turn students on to healthy eating

April 17, 2026

Shirley Brezzell, a fifth-grade science and social studies teacher at Detroit's Mackenzie Elementary-Middle School, has been recognized as the 2026 Elementary School Science Teacher of the Year by the Michigan Science Teachers Association for her innovative garden-based teaching approach. After spending 22 years in banking and later becoming a certified teacher in 2011, Brezzell created an outdoor school garden that addresses food insecurity in her community, which is located in a Detroit food desert. She integrates the garden into her science curriculum, using it to teach concepts like matter while simultaneously introducing students to healthy eating habits through hands-on growing and cooking experiences.

Who is affected

Shirley Brezzell's fifth-grade students at Mackenzie Elementary-Middle School
Students' families who receive fresh produce from the school garden
The wider Mackenzie school community
Families living in the Detroit neighborhood classified as a food desert
Parents participating in garden bag creation events

What action is being taken

Brezzell is managing the school garden with 10 stationary garden beds and "Garden in a Bag" projects
Students are planting and maintaining portable gardens in recyclable bags
Students are picking fresh fruits and vegetables from the garden and cooking them in class
The district is adding a new shelter and finishing cement work under it this spring
The district is adding eight picnic tables to create a third outdoor classroom
Parents are creating their own garden bags during an event this month

Why it matters

This work matters because Mackenzie Elementary-Middle School is located in a food desert, making access to fresh, healthy produce extremely limited for families in the community. Brezzell's garden-based teaching approach addresses both educational and nutritional needs simultaneously, teaching scientific concepts while providing students with exposure to healthy foods they might otherwise never try. The "Garden in a Bag" project is particularly significant because it allows students to maintain gardens even if they move during the summer, promoting food security and healthy eating habits beyond the school year. By connecting science education to real-life applications and empowering students to make healthier lifestyle choices, Brezzell is creating lasting impact that extends beyond academic achievement.

What's next

Brezzell is delaying retirement until after the summer harvest
The district will finish cement work under the new shelter this spring
The district will add eight picnic tables for the third outdoor classroom
The original outdoor classroom is being moved elsewhere on the property for its own cement work
Parents will participate in a garden bag creation event this month
The garden will continue supplying plants for students' families and providing fresh produce to the school community during the summer

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com