A Legacy in Action: Education Beyond the Classroom

Baltimore Montessori Public Charter School’s Seed to Table program is a testament to the power of hands-on learning and community connection. What began in a custodial closet has blossomed into a cornerstone of the school, providing cooking, gardening, and nutrition education that deeply enriches students’ lives. Now, as a school partner in Emeril Lagasse Foundation’s signature program, Emeril’s Culinary Garden & Teaching Kitchen, Seed to Table, has been amplified, offering resources and opportunities that bring this vision to new heights.

 

Meghan Rennard, a Harvard alum and former Chief of Staff for Teach for America- Baltimore, joined Baltimore Montessori Public as Executive Director in 2022, bringing both her leadership and her deep personal commitment as a parent. “It’s about more than just learning recipes,” she says.

 

“Our students are learning skills that help them provide for themselves and their families in practical, lasting ways.”

 

Recently, Baltimore Montessori Public students had an opportunity to showcase their culinary skills on an extraordinary stage—the National Mall of Pickleball —where they served gazpacho to guests. The recipe, inspired by one of Chef Emeril Lagasse’s, was creatively modified by Chef Carlos Raba of the James Beard-nominated restaurant Clavel. Working alongside Chef Raba, students learned firsthand how small adjustments can make a classic dish their own. This unique experience made possible through their school’s partnership with Emeril’s Culinary Garden & Teaching Kitchen, created what Executive Director Megh Rennard calls “a lifelong memory that most adults don’t even get a chance to experience.”

 

Since joining the Foundation’s signature program, Baltimore Montessori Public has gained resources they once could only dream of, “To use an Emeril-ism…it’s about kicking it up a notch,” Rennard says. As a partner of Emeril’s Culinary Garden & Teaching Kitchen, the school has hired an additional gardening instructor and expanded volunteer opportunities for family engagement. “This program is not just for our students,” says Rennard. ‘It’s becoming a hub for the community, giving parents and community members a space to connect and get their hands in the soil.’

 

For other Title I schools aspiring to create similar programs, Rennard encourages a simple start.

 

“My advice would be to start small, even if it’s just at the classroom level. Don’t overthink it—just get started.”

 

Baltimore Montessori Public’s culinary and garden education program continues to expand, with plans to eventually reach every grade level. With a beautifully upgraded kitchen on the horizon, Rennard envisions a future where every Baltimore Montessori Public student has the skills—and confidence—to cook for their families. “I hope we inspire other schools to dream big.”