From Global to Local — An Austell Teacher’s Journey Home
From Global to Local — An Austell Teacher’s Journey Home
Like Bob Ross used to say, life is full of “happy accidents.” For Austell teacher Rebecca Fant, that couldn’t be more true. What began as a career path in international affairs and global issues has shifted into a deeply local mission—teaching Georgia’s history, geography, and environment to middle schoolers while partnering with My Green Earth.
Rebecca, now in her seventh year at Garrett Middle School, never planned to be a teacher. After college, she tested out careers in the Atlanta film industry and even at Disney World before taking a part-time after-school teaching job “just to make ends meet.” That small step led to substitute teaching, a full-time classroom role, and eventually a master’s degree in education.
Today, she teaches 8th grade social studies (Georgia Studies) and loves making lessons come alive:
“I love teaching local topics and then taking my students to see in person what they’re learning.”
Her classes explore Georgia’s five geographical regions, weaving together climate, agriculture, history, and economics—from Native American farming to the impact of the Civil War and industrial revolution. What did Native Americans grow in those regions? How did European settlers adapt to regions different from where they came? How did different eras in time change what flourishes here?
Rebecca also uses the natural environment as a teaching tool. A lifelong gardener raised by farming grandparents, she introduces students to hands-on learning through the school garden.
“Kids learn through doing. World events are important, but our local environment affects us every day.”
That passion led to another “happy accident.” Attending a public meeting about Austell’s Agricultural Plan introduced Rebecca to My Green Earth Executive Director, Bethany Mashini. Soon after, Garrett Middle School and MGE partnered to revive the school’s long-forgotten garden.
Last spring, teachers, students, and MGE staff cleared out the space and planted cover crops to prepare it for the fall. This year, students are planting seeds and seeing firsthand what grows in Georgia—sparking curiosity not only about gardening, but about their community and history.
Rebecca knows that not every child grows up with grandparents who farm or parents who garden. By bringing experiential learning into the classroom, she hopes to give her students that connection:
“We’re teaching a new generation how to connect to our natural environment.”
Interested in bringing My Green Earth to your school? Contact bethany@mygreenearth.org to learn more.
