ABOUT ME

I’m a Certified Special Education teacher and Reading Specialist who is committed to nurturing young readers and connecting children with nature.

I have more than ten years of experience in elementary education and special education, and I believe every child can learn when their individual needs are met and cultivated.

My extensive experience teaching children with learning differences and other health impairments led me to establish SuperSprouts, an approach to learning that values all abilities.

When I’m not teaching, you can find me gardening, beekeeping and, of course, reading! I live outside Philadelphia with my husband, two teenagers, and our Goldendoodle Winnie.

The SuperSprouts Approach

SuperSprouts is a customized, educational approach offering student-centered literacy instruction and nature-based lessons and activities to engage students, facilitate learning, and meet academic, behavioral, and social goals. SuperSprouts is founded on principles of personalized and targeted instruction rooted in research, experience, and nature.

SuperSprouts serves elementary students in general and special education. All SuperSprouts classes and programs are designed and facilitated by India Simons, a certified teacher and horticultural therapist.

In addition, India offers Wilson Reading System tutoring for students who need support with basic reading skills. A solid foundation in reading gives students strong roots for learning.

Why SuperSprouts?

Including nature or garden-based lessons and activities in your curriculum opens the door to learning for all students. Students of all ages and abilities benefit from out-of-doors learning experiences. Research shows that cognitive development increases in accordance with time spent in green spaces.

“Educational programs conducted in nature tend to provide a greater range of options better matched to children’s varied learning styles and personalities than do programs limited to indoor classroom activity.” -Moore, R. (1997)

The Philosophy

The SuperSprouts program is entirely customizable. Through engaging, nature-based lesson plans and activities, students extend their literacy skills. They develop a deeper appreciation for the environment and for each other. Students build social skills, practice speaking and listening and apply what they learn.

While the SuperSprouts program is, at its heart, an outdoor program, programming does not take place exclusively outside. We recognize that despite its many benefits, learning can’t take place outside ALL the time. Sometimes extreme weather keeps us indoors and when it does, SuperSprouts is ready with comprehensive plant-and nature based lessons suitable for the indoor classroom.

I provide teaching and tutoring to elementary students of ALL abilities.

WORK WITH ME

programs

Tutoring

Tutoring options include Wilson Reading System instruction and other research-based practices. Nature-based learning is a core principle of SuperSprouts Consulting and is incorporated into tutoring sessions when appropriate.
Professional Development

India customizes your professional development session to help your team answer the question:
“How does schoolyard-enhanced learning mesh with what we know as educational best practice?” – Herbert Broda
Resources and Lesson Plans

Explore SuperSprouts lesson plans and resources for literacy instruction and nature-based learning.