Meet the leaders who have helped make all the difference with our garden.

Our Garden leaders.

  • Trueblood Sarah

    Dr. Sarah Trueblood, a fifth-generation teacher with over 13 years in the San Diego Unified School District, values public education's transformative impact. Her strengths lie in fostering a culture of learning, data-driven development, and restorative practices. After teaching sixth-grade science, she became a Science Prep Teacher at Johnson Elementary Magnet and later a Magnet Technology Resource Teacher. Dr. Trueblood earned a master’s degree in education focused on Math, Science, and Technology.

    Her leadership journey began as Associate Principal at Roosevelt International Baccalaureate Middle School, where she guided project-based learning. In 2014, she became Program Manager in the Magnet and Innovation Office, aiding schools in developing STEAM programs. Currently, she is the Principal of Montgomery Middle School STEAM and Visual Arts Magnet and completed a doctoral program at USC in 2025. Committed to inspiring students through creativity, she supports instructional programs via research-based practices and empowers others to lead.

  • Emalyn Leppard

    Emalyn Leppard began her journey in the Linda Vista community in 1995 as a single mother of three. After attending the University of San Diego, she connected with Dr. Judy Rauner, leading to over 25 years of service as a volunteer and educator. Emalyn holds a BA in Liberal Studies, an MS in Organizational Management, an MA in Special Education, and a certificate in Horticultural Therapy.

    The Montgomery Garden was initially envisioned by Jay Lewenstein, but Emalyn was instrumental in its development from 2002 to 2005, securing support from local councils and integrating outdoor learning into her math classes. In 2010, she was named San Diego Unified’s Middle School Teacher of the Year. Now retired, Emalyn leads Horticultural Therapy sessions in the garden, helping students find purpose through gardening. She believes that "gardening with a purpose beats going to the gym any day!"

  • Meehan Patrick

    Patrick Meehman has dedicated over 30 years to teaching within the San Diego Unified School District, with the last 18 years spent at Montgomery Middle School. A two-time Teacher of the Year at his school, Patrick is known for his deep commitment to student engagement, sustainability, and creativity.

    At Montgomery, Patrick plays a central role in the school garden, where he designed and built the tranquil Zen Garden and leads the after-school Primetime Garden Club. He actively harvests and propagates succulents for fundraising events and has transformed the school’s library patio using recycled materials from the garden. Through a unique partnership with El Centro Artesano pottery store in Old Town, he also helps maintain a recycling program that directly supports garden initiatives.

    Patrick’s philosophy is rooted in cultivating an environment that not only provides a sustainable source of healthy food but also nurtures imagination, responsibility, and environmental stewardship among students.

  • Vinny Seepaul

    Director, USD College Corps Fellowship Program

    Mulvaney Center for Community, Awareness, and Social Action

    Vinny Seepaul has played a vital role in the growth and vibrancy of the Montgomery Middle School Community Garden. As Director of the USD College Corps Fellowship Program, Vinny has provided consistent and deeply rooted support—ranging from financial resources and supplies to direct service, student engagement, and long-term strategic planning.

    Through his leadership, the garden has become more than a space to grow food; it has become a gathering place for healing, connection, and collaboration. Vinny has helped host numerous community-building events, service days, and Garden Therapy sessions open to the broader community, reinforcing the garden’s role as a shared, restorative space for all.

    His commitment reflects USD’s values of presence and partnership—showing up not just in moments of need, but with intentionality and sustained investment. Vinny continues to be a bridge between campus and community, fostering relationships that nourish both the land and the people it serves.