Teacher Grants in Action: Homewood for Horses
HCPSS educators are incredible resources for identifying new and effective approaches to enhance student learning and respond to student needs as they evolve in our classrooms and schools. This school year with support from the Kahlert Foundation, Bright Minds Foundation awarded $25,000 in grants to fund 21 classroom projects that are being delivered in 40 schools and reaching thousands of HCPSS students. These innovative projects help support student success, enrich teaching practices, strengthen school communities, and pilot important classroom projects.
Bright Minds is a proud supporter this year of the Homewood for Horses project, and we are delighted to share more about this unique project supporting HCPSS students:
A school bus pulled into Safe Haven Equine Warriors in Sykesville. 9 students and staff from Homewood Center hurried to meet and take care of the horses and ponies. After brief introductions, students and staff went to the stalls to greet the rescued horses. Students were paired and learned how to brush and groom the horses. Initially they were hesitant, but soon all the students and horses were totally engaged. With the support of volunteers, students then escorted their horses to an outdoor ring where they guided them through a timed obstacle course. Each student went through the course with their horse, and every student was thoroughly engaged by the end of the visit. Even the most anxious students grew more confident with each moment they were together with the horses.
The Homewood for Horses project with Safe Haven Equine Warriors provides students with a community-based learning opportunity that fosters wellness, community connection, and social/emotional as well as physical health. Horses are therapeutic and empathic creatures. For children with mental health, autism, and other struggles, horses can provide safe, comforting spaces for an engaging interaction with humans.
“Our students often struggle with opening up to other humans, particularly those with significant mental health struggles and Autism,” explained Brittany Robey, School Psychologist for the Bridges Program at Homewood. “However, with the horses, our students calmed and showed readiness for engagement in conversation with the horses and the staff on the farm without stress or hesitation. This experience gives them a beautiful, supported opportunity to practice and develop their skills within the community and away from the stress of the school building.”
All Safe Haven Equine Warriors horses on the farm were rescued and rehabbed from either abusive and/or neglectful circumstances or imminent danger of slaughter, abuse, or neglect. Hearing their stories was a powerful experience for students, and students were proud to help their horse expand their trust in humans and be part of their healing.
Participating students identify a short-term goal to focus on for their trip to the farm (i.e. speak with at least 2 unfamiliar people). Homewood incentivizes students to attend these trips by prioritizing attendance and grades, and students reflect on the visits to consider how to sustain new skills and levels of performance. Homewood also seeks student and staff feedback after the trips in order to continue to adapt activities to student needs/desired outcomes.
Contributions to Staff & Teacher Grants may be made to Bright Minds via our website: DONATE, or by check to the Bright Minds Foundation, 10910 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042. Please designate Teacher Grants in the comment field or on the memo line.
About Bright Minds Foundation
Bright Minds Foundation is the Howard County public schools education foundation. We work to ensure each child in Howard County has access to the education, resources, and opportunities they need to succeed at school and in life. We do this by bringing together community support for programs and initiatives that increase education access, equity, and innovation. Bright Minds programs respond to the urgent and ongoing needs of children in four areas: digital inclusion, literacy & kindergarten readiness, college access, and teacher support & classroom innovation.
