Meet the Instructors: Bill Einhorn
Posted in Adult Education on May 12 2011, by Ann Rafalko
Ed. note: We offer many classes here at the Garden in a plethora of disciplines and at many levels, from “just for fun” to professional (see a pdf of the catalog here). But no matter how appealing the subject, the classes would be nothing without the instructors. On Plant Talk, we’ll introduce you to them, and their stories.
Bill Einhorn, Instructor, Landscape Design
The year 2011 marks a milestone in my career at The New York Botanical Garden–it was 30 years ago that I received a call from the Garden with news that it received a grant for a summer internship and if I’d be interested in coming in for an interview. While that began my professional association with the Botanical Garden, my roots here run even deeper. When I was 5 years old, my mother signed me up for Children’s Education classes at the Garden. I vividly remember learning about and receiving a Venus’ flytrap and asking the instructor if it would eat my sister. I also returned to the Garden during my studies in Landscape Architecture at Syracuse University to walk the grounds and memorize trees. My wedding photos were taken in the Rose Garden, and my favorite time of the year was strolling along Magnolia Way when the magnolias were in bloom.
After my summer internship in 1981, the Garden invited me back during my spring and summer breaks, and upon graduation hired me to be on staff. I started teaching in the mid 1980s and to date, by my estimates, have instructed over 3,000 students. Several have gone on to graduate programs, joined or established successful businesses, or completed projects at their own homes.
My affiliation with the Garden has brought me many personal and professional relationships and has made me a better Landscape Architect. My greatest feeling of accomplishment is when I run into students from many years ago who tell me the impact that I have had on their careers. Hopefully, I have another 30 years left in me to enjoy teaching and experiencing the continued growth of the Garden’s programs.
Are you looking to change your life, like Bill did? In just five weeks you can earn almost half the total hours needed for a Certificate in Landscape Design. Interactive classes, taught by professional landscape architects and designers, cover each step of the design process, from site analysis to design development. Other subjects include landscape design history, graphics, and site detailing. Guest lecturers present their own work and discuss design philosophies, professional issues, and presentation strategies. The beautiful New York Botanical Garden is used for design projects and plant study.
Enrollment is limited to allow for individualized attention and comprehensive project critiques.
