Full-Time Position

Description 

A Jones Valley Teaching Farm Instructor leads all aspects of the organization’s program, which includes designing and delivering innovative standards-based curriculum at our partner school sites. 

Working with our energetic, high performing team, Instructors develop content that is relevant and effective in an urban public school district serving many students from low resourced communities. This work requires a high degree of professionalism and a collaborative spirit at the school-level. A successful candidate must possess extraordinary interpersonal skills as well as strong management, organization, and communication skills.

Jones Valley Teaching Farm

Jones Valley Teaching Farm (JVTF)  is a non-profit 501(c)(3) located in Birmingham, Alabama.

In 2012, JVTF launched Good School Food (GSF), our in-school food-based education model, in a pre-K-5 Birmingham City School. We have since expanded this program to six partner schools, including five in one distinct pre-K-12 feeder pattern in the Woodlawn community.

Good School Food is designed to improve education and health outcomes for students. We achieve this by building out extensive Teaching Farms on school campuses, and providing our partner schools with full-time Instructors who collaborate with teachers to develop and deliver programs and curricula that align food and nutrition concepts with learning goals in math, science, social studies, engineering, and language arts.

Responsibilities

General

• Basic processes and procedures: Consistently shows up prepared and on time and is available in person, on the phone and through email. Maintains a professionalism when communicating and follows set channels of communication across the organization. Follows protocols outlined in the policy guidelines/handbook. Adheres to school system rules, administrative procedures, local board policies, and state and federal rules and regulations that are a regular part of a public school system.
• Advocate: Seeks to understand the organization’s core purpose and develops a deep understanding for it. Actively communicates and supports this purpose. Maintains effective relationships with external stakeholders, including school staff, parents, community members and other constituents.
• Environment: Creates and maintains a positive collaborative environment around them that is supportive and respectful of others and their ideas. Is an effective team player. Actively participate in Jones Valley Teaching Farm staff meetings and professional development. Effectively communicates the school activities to colleagues in order to be better supported in their role.
• Improvement and Refinement: Is committed to the improvement and refinement of our work.

Specific

• Create a safe, structured and warm learning environment for all students modeling respect and curiosity for learning, while encouraging students’ interests and talents
• Collaborate with Jones Valley Teaching Farm staff and partner school faculty in the development of lessons that are integrated with classroom teaching and core academic standards
• Design and deliver virtual and in-school lessons for students in grades pre-K-8th grades
• Prepared to lead in-person and/or virtual after-school programs
• Assist in the development and delivery of innovative summer programming
• Document lessons and programs, and implement assessments effectively and consistently
• Provide written feedback on lessons and programs demonstrating a commitment improving program quality and rigor over time
• Collaborate with teachers, administrators, and the partner school community to generate excitement around Jones Valley Teaching Farm programming
• Collaborate with the Apprenticeship Coordinator on the mentorship of Teaching Farm Apprentices (High School and Graduate)
• Maintain detailed education related records and reports and submit on time
• Actively participate in weekly education team meetings, observations, and check-ins
• Collaborate with the K-8 Farm Manager & Operations Teams around programming needs including crop plans, available produce, and opportunities for students to participate in the care of the Teaching Farm site
• Support with K-8 Farm Manager Teaching Farm site care responsibilities when called on, this may include watering and site checks as needed.

What We Look For

• Believers in the power of education and food
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion
• A positive and constructive attitude
• Self-direction and self-motivation
• An openness and drive for learning, assessing and improving your work, and the ability to hear, reflect upon and implement feedback
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, parents, and schools
• Ability to organize, prioritize, manage and carry out duties efficiently and within established timeframes
• Undergraduate degree in a related field preferred
• A minimum of 1-3 years experience teaching youth
• Demonstrated experience or interest in lesson and curriculum development
• Demonstrated interest in organic and sustainable growing practices
• Criminal background check and a valid driver’s license required

Duration and Compensation

Jones Valley Teaching Farm Instructor position is a year-round, full-time position with a 3-month probation period. Competitive compensation packages include salary, health benefits, and paid vacation.

Application Information

To apply, please send a cover letter and résumé with “Jones Valley Teaching Farm Instructor” in the subject line to jobs@jvtf.org.  In this cover letter, please highlight previous relevant experience(s). Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled.  No phone calls or drop-ins, please.