Katelyn is careful to gauge how deeply kids want to get involved.
"First, make sure they're interested in it, then we'll give them a chicken. We'll teach them how to take care of it ... housing, water, what they need food wise," says Katelyn.
Every once in a while, like the birds she raises, Katelyn will find one child to take under her wing.
"She was so nervous. She would barely talk. But now she is doing so great and she was over talking and just hung out for a little while. So it made me feel really good," says Katelyn.
Even with her many awards , watching her students develop gives Katelyn a different kind of winning feeling.
"Them coming with a huge chicken, walking around and just enjoying it. Or, them getting a ribbon and they're eyes getting huge, and your like, 'That's cool! And I helped do that,'" says Kateyln.
Opening young minds to the world of nature and creativity, she is our "Cool kid", Katelyn Beckmann.
- Get more L.A. breaking news, weather, traffic and sports
- Have a news tip? Send your tips, video, or pictures
