FirstLine Schools: GARDEN TEACHING FELLOW

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Hortense Hodges
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1 FirstLine Schools: GARDEN TEACHING FELLOW Creating and inspiring great open admissions public schools in New Orleans Organization Information: In 1998, FirstLine Schools started the first charter school in New Orleans, which became the highest performing open admission middle school in the city. FirstLine now operates four K-8th grade school and a high school. Our mission is to create and inspire great open admission public schools in New Orleans. We do this by: Ensuring high achievement for all our students. Providing a rich variety of education experiences to nurture our students social and emotional development and love of learning. Developing our faculty s skillfulness and creating sustainable working conditions that facilitate our teachers success. Our faculty is a diverse and talented group dedicated to our students success and to their own growth as teachers. Our schools are led by instructional leaders who hold themselves accountable for student achievement and teacher development. Langston Hughes Academy DreamKeeper Garden The Dreamkeeper Garden at Langston Hughes Academy is a new and exciting enrichment and curriculum integration program, which began in the Summer of With the conception of th program came an interest and drive to create a safe, outdoor educational space where scholars can learn life s cycles and interrelationships. The Dreamkeeper Garden has potential to grow an expand into a community garden and a large edible producing garden. ESY NOLA and the Dreamkeeper garden share a strong and supportive relationship in the Firstline School network.

2 The mission of Langston Hughes Academy Charter School is to provide students with the knowledge, skills and character traits necessary to succeed in high school, college and the world beyond. Our goal is to send every student to college by preparing them for the best public and private high schools in the New Orleans area. By developing a Schoolyard Edible garden, LHA is preparing their scholars for success in not only the traditional academic realm, but a hands-on, experiential knowledge of the Earth and its cycles through a seed to table life science based curriculum program. The Edible Teaching Dreamkeeper Garden is the venue for weekly garden classes where children learn to grow and harvest their own food. In the school year, students in grades K-8 participate in hands-on organic gardening classes that reinforce academic curriculum while learning how to grow their own food and become stewards of the land. The garden includes an outdoor classroom, a composting and worm composting (vermiculture) station, seasonal edible crops in raised beds and production garden, an herb garden, grape vines, and a butterfly garden. With ample vicinity for expansion, the Dreamkeeper garden will host a variety of growing practices including use of Dillard Universitys green house and seasonal row crops. The space will also facilitate a reconciliation circle and community gardening. With a subtropical climate, students can plant, harvest and enjoy seasonal produce all year long in New Orleans! Edible Schoolyard NOLA Edible Schoolyard NOLA changes the way kids eat, learn and live at FirstLine Schools in New Orleans. Our goal is to improve the long-term well being of our students, families and school community. We do this through a comprehensive seed-to-table experience that integrates hands-on organic gardening and seasonal cooking into the school learning experience, culture and cafeteria food programs of the schools we serve.

3 ESY NOLA involves students in all aspects of growing, harvesting preparing and enjoying food together as a means of awakening their senses, cultivating a school environment that promotes a sense of pride and responsibility for our land and natural resources, and developing a love for fresh, seasonal foods. ESY NOLA is a signature program of FirstLine Schools, a public charter school network in New Orleans. Position Summary: Key Responsibilities: The School Garden Teaching Assistant teaches garden classes for K 8 grade students as a small group leader; assists in preparation and breakdown of classes; contributes to lesson planning and classroom development collaboration; helps to maintain the garden; and supports ESYNOLA s collaborative programming. The position s specific responsibilities include: TEACHING AND LEARNING Assist in the conducting of daily garden classes for the Green Charter School K 8 student population. Lead and manage a small group during each garden class, delivering content that is academic, sensory, and experiential in nature. Lead students in the propagation, planting, cultivation and maintenance of the garden, wi the guidance of lead teacher. Guide students to make connections between science standards and the tangible characteristics of the garden, using the garden as a living laboratory Prepare for lessons; includes reading and reflecting on lesson plans provided by the Lead Teacher, as well as individual creativity in teaching approach and delivery for the small group portion of the lesson Maintain high expectations for all students in garden classes consistent with school culture. Maintain transparency in all behavioral expectations and consequences. Assist in the preparation/break down of classes Collaborate in class and curriculum planning sessions and lesson plan development As appropriate, participate in after school programming and/or garden based programming across multiple school sites Model respect and curiosity for learning. Encourage students interests and talents. Assist in the building of cafeteria culture during daily lunchtime. Promote healthy eating and nutritional education in the cafeteria and classrooms. Participate in and lead wellness initiatives for students and staff.

4 GARDEN/HORTICULTURAL Remain engaged, knowledgeable, and up to date about the garden as it transitions through seasonal changes by creating up to date diagrams and mapping of garden Assist in garden maintenance, including propagation, soil fertility, composting, crop rotation, fertilizing, pruning, irrigation and pest and disease management Update daily garden log and diagram and maps of garden growing space Responsible for upkeep and maintaining appearance of garden and toolshed Act as informal ambassador to the garden for visitors, volunteers, and school staff; includes answering questions, organizing and working alongside volunteer groups on Spearhead new projects in the garden for the development of the garden aesthetic COMMUNICATION, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND OUTREACH Attend regular Garden Teacher meetings to review, prepare for and contribute to garden class planning Participate in ESYNOLA all staff meetings Maintain consistent and constructive communication/feedback with garden teaching team Work closely with other garden teachers to provide/receive internal feedback; check on a daily basis to stay informed of events and schedules Assist in communication with classroom teachers (ie, completing lesson/behavior feedback forms) Participate in Garden Teacher trainings provided by ESYNOLA staff Participate in the Garden Specific trainings provided by ESYNOLA staff Ensure an engaging and rewarding experience for volunteers. Help orient volunteers to the garden and garden related responsibilities, help prepare volunteers for class involvement Assist with LHA community and family events, including Open Garden Days (this may require some weekend work) Participate in collaborative goal setting process with Lead Garden Teacher to create individual fellowship benchmarks Participate in regular evaluation meetings with the Lead Garden Teacher to review

5 performance and establish/revisit goals. Create and maintain garden bulletin board Create and maintain displays for education station signs for garden and cafeteria Assist in organizing community events Assist in volunteer coordination; Coordinate Volunteer online calendar Publicize and create decorations for ESYNOLA events and programming Position Requirements: Education and Background Experience: Bachelor s degree or some college experience strongly preferred. Focus in education, horticulture, environmental science or related field preferred. Some science instructional background strongly preferred. Experience working with elementary/middle school aged students required Experience living and gardening in an urban setting preferred. Experience working with high poverty, minority population preferred, especially in a public/public charter school setting preferred. Strong enthusiasm for experiential, sensory education, with emphasis on garden based education required. Qualities and Characterisitics: Commitment to FirstLine Schools mission and vision Achievement orientation with a focus on goals and results Initiative and drive for continuous improvement Excellent communication and interpersonal skills Proficient with information technology Strong project management experience Ability to represent the organization to a variety of audiences

6 Ability to work with frequent interruption and to simultaneously supervise a variety of tasks. Ability to stand, reach, and bend. Mobility of arms to reach, dexterity of hands to grasp and manipulate large and small objects. Ability to stand for long periods. Ability to lift, push and/or pull objects, which may be approximately 50 pounds. Willingness to smell, taste and feel garden produce, to help determine quality of raw food Willingness to work outdoors under all weather conditions. Willingness to work occasional weekends/special events when needed Reports to: Lead Garden Teacher and Garden Coordinator

Gardens had been operating fewer than 7 years (73%), operating less than 3 years (33%), and more than 7 years (18%).

Gardens had been operating fewer than 7 years (73%), operating less than 3 years (33%), and more than 7 years (18%). CHARACTERISTICS OF SCHOOL GARDENS ON HAWAII ISLAND: Summary of the Pacific Resources for Education and Learning School Garden Survey By Nancy Redfeather, The Kohala Center In May-June 2011, Pacific Resources