Early Childhood Garden Educator (San Francisco, CA)

Job Description
Position Overview
The Environmental Studies and Garden Teacher leads and plans for garden and Environmental Studies classes in collaboration with classroom teachers, Atelieristas, the IB PYP Coordinator, Division Heads, and Director of Teaching & Learning, and develops them within the IB PYP Curriculum framework and in line with the Reggio Emilia philosophy. The teacher also offers critical support to teachers and students to ensure that a school can maximize and grow the educational potential of the garden. Position reports to: Director of Early Childhood Education
Essential Responsibilities
• Facilitates joyful and meaningful garden and Environmental Studies learning experiences
• Collaborates closely with classroom teachers/the IB PYP Coordinator, the Atelieristas and the Division Directors to develop lessons that support classroom teaching and IB PYP units of inquiry in a range of curriculum areas (science, social studies, mathematics, language arts, etc.)
• Oversees and coordinates students’ hands-on experiences in the garden (planting, tending, harvesting);
• Builds involvement in and commitment to the school garden within the school community, including teachers, administrators, students, parents and community volunteers;
• Builds involvement in and commitment to the school garden outside of the school community;
• Develops teacher skills in outdoor classroom management techniques;
• Maintains the garden, coordinating volunteers and working to secure all needed supplies;
Job Duties
• Teaches or facilitates classes on campus;
• Manages the school garden, plans and prepares for garden work activities, manage planting schedule, ensure availability of tools and other necessary materials;
• Plants and cares for vegetable garden and other planting areas with students or independently, as best and appropriate;
• Maintains composting system;
• Maintains irrigation system and be the point person for outside contractors;
• Attends school wide staff meetings/professional development days/open houses/roundtables;
• Coordinates garden events and parents work days to bring students, families, teachers and community members together;
• Coordinates school-wide garden events as needed and works with Atelieristas on other specialist events
• Attends collaborative planning meetings and planning meetings with teachers/PYP Coordinator;
• Monitors, documents, and reports on all activities and extent of student learning;
• Prepares Garden and Environmental Studies Newsletters and documentation to be shared with community.