Company description

About Land to Learn

Our mission: Growing a movement for food justice and community wellness through garden-based education. We offer garden-based education that serves students in elementary schools and high school summer apprenticeships. Our flagship program, SproutEd, brings garden-based learning to Kindergarten through 2nd grade students in 10 Hudson Valley schools.

About Our Values

Land to Learn is a values-driven organization. As an organization, we try to approach our work with an awareness of current and historic institutional oppressions perpetuated by—and ingrained in—the educational system. Land to Learn values lived experiences and organic knowledge with equal measure to institutional knowledge. To this end, we utilize educational philosophies rooted in democratic principles and hands-on experiences. Learn more about our approach here. We also value Restorative and Transformative Justice practices in educational community-building and conflict resolution. We honor the wisdom and work of those who have led us here while valuing innovation and embracing change. Learn more about Land to Learn at our website.

Job description

Position Overview

This is primarily a teaching position that serves to implement the SproutEd program at one elementary school in Kingston as a part of our SproutEd team. We will be expanding to a new elementary school in Kingston this fall, which will require this position to assist with outreach and engagement this spring in our new school. Our SproutEd program provides garden-based education in elementary schools throughout the Mid-Hudson Valley and is the core LtL program. We build and maintain school gardens that serve as outdoor classrooms. Our garden educators, with support from classroom teachers, teach lessons during the school day throughout the entire school year (indoor in the winter), that educate students in nutrition, cooking, plant science, ecology, and food systems. Our curriculum is experiential and hands-on, offering students a fun, engaging way to apply their academic and social-emotional skills. There is also a substantial amount of garden work required of this position. The ideal candidate has experience with teaching and gardening, or garden education or outdoor education.

Roles and Responsibilities

Teaching and Lessons
Facilitate lessons with kindergarten, first, and second-grade classes using LtL’s established curriculum and teaching methodologies at 1 elementary school, approximately 5 lessons a week
Participate in weekly in-person team meetings
Manage schedule of lessons
Maintain regular communication with teachers and administrations
Adapt lessons, as needed, for specific classes and situations
Participate in related trainings, conferences, and professional development
Record photos, anecdotes, quotes, and other information and input data
Purchase materials for programs as needed, using the LtL PEX card system.
Manage education program materials for your lessons
Use personal vehicle to transport lesson supplies
Garden Maintenance
Maintain school gardens with guidance and support from LtL Garden Manager. Perform all necessary tasks for growing crops and creating an educational space, including planting (both with and without students), watering, weeding, laying out wood chips for pathways and mulch hay for planting areas, etc.
Tasks often include heavy labor, such as shoveling and carting soil and woodchips
Use personal vehicle to transport gardening supplies
Assist with garden projects at other LtL sites as needed
School Community Outreach
Serve as the SproutEd liaison and representative for your partner schools, developing relationships with students, teachers, administrative staff, maintenance staff, and families
Work with volunteers in programming and gardens
Attend school community working group meetings to plan school and community events and deepen partnerships
Facilitate and participate in monthly Vegetable of the Month on the menu events
Workplace Culture
Participate in regular accountability check-ins, and some organizational events
Share your wisdom and collaboratively build workplace culture

Required skills

Experience with and enthusiasm for leading activities with groups of young children,preferably in a public school setting
Experience with outdoor education
Experience with gardening and growing food
Desire to build skills in gardening and growing food
Desire to build relationships with students and teachers
Ability to bring democratic teaching principles into learning spaces
Ability to work outside in various weather conditions
Ability to work both independently and alongside classroom teachers
Ability to work collaboratively with a team and practice open communication
Commitment to social justice, including food justice and education justice
Commitment to finding teaching innovations that are equitable and inclusive of students’ needs
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Because we work in public schools, candidates must follow all New York State and district-specific requirements for working in schools, including any vaccine requirements, background checks and finger printing.
Must be able to lift at least 30 pounds
Access to a personal vehicle is required for this position. Must be willing to use personal vehicle for transporting education and garden materials. Land to Learn provides a travel stipend.

Preferred skills

Preference is given to candidates from Kingston
Understanding of and passion for food justice and localized food systems
Experience working or volunteering in the public school system
Experience in nonprofit work or management is a plus, but not required
Familiarity with G Suite (Docs/Sheets/etc.)

Additional Perks

Collaborate with a values-driven team committed to iterative learning, working, and story-telling
You will have the opportunity to laugh a lot
Work with diverse community partners who are passionate activators in food sovereignty, environmental justice, and community wellness
Participate in a team implementing experiential, democratic, and place-based learning that engages young people in math, science, nature and wellness through the action and power of growing their own food
Enjoy fresh, organic garden produce

Pay is $22/hour.

Compensation

this position is: hourly, $20/hr +

Application instructions

Deadline

April 07, 2025