Job Description:Gardening, Permaculture, and Manual Arts Teacher (Part-Time or Full-Time)

Background
Libertas School of Memphis is a Montessori, liberal arts public charter elementary school serving a high- need neighborhood in Memphis. Our mission is to be a school for human flourishing: cultivating minds, hands, and hearts for lives of wonder, work, and love. We offer students from six weeks through middle school a rich, rigorous, and personalized education in multi-age classrooms through Montessori learning, supported with rich liberal arts content through Core Knowledge, and the best practices of high-performing urban schools. This work is done within an attachment village of supports between school, families, and our community.

Role Summary and Information

Plan and lead permaculture, gardening, and manual arts classes for groups of children to promote physical activity, to encourage healthy living, and to help children become active and responsible stewards of our environment
Ensure the care and healthy functioning of school gardens and animals (i.e. goats and chickens)
Serve as a resource for teachers to co-plan and facilitate small group and whole group lessons in botany, zoology, and related subjects
Part-time option: 2:00 or 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM, two to five days per week, with schedule to be set with the supervisor (based on school needs and candidate availability). Assist with periodic school events outside of the normal schedule
Full-time option: Full time hours, exact schedule TBD based on school schedule
Reports to: After-School Program Director for after-school responsibilities; Principal or designee for school-day responsibilities
Key relationships: Students, families, and staff; classroom teachers
Other duties as assigned

Key Responsibilities

Planning and Instruction

Work directly in garden, leading groups of children in meaningful garden work and learning about gardening and nature, and ensure that teachers are empowered with knowledge and tools to integrate gardening within morning work blocks.
Observe and support children; prepare and protect the gardening and farming areas of the school grounds; give lessons relevant to gardening and permaculture
Work with school leaders to create and manage overall plan for school garden, including managing supplies and coordinating schedules with teachers and volunteers

Garden setup and scheduling

Work with community partners, teachers, and staff to identify garden and setup needs, research cost-efficient sources for materials, assist with procurement process, and help to organize and set up materials and resources to ensure gardens are healthy and welcoming.
Work closely with staff to plan and implement gardening rotations and schedule
Solicit and implement feedback from teachers and staff regarding classroom and programmatic needs for the garden

Student, family and community engagement

Create gardening tutorials and materials to share with families and staff.
Utilize parent and community volunteers and participants for garden-related work and training.

Classroom Culture

Foster habits of excellence, including order and grace & courtesy, through schoolwide and classroom-level practices and rituals, such as connecting before redirecting, using a warm and firm tone, matching children with works in the environment, tending the heart of virtue through presenting beautiful literature, and sharing responsibility for all our children
Be a model of character and striving toward virtue for students

Qualifications and Traits

Knowledge, skills, and experience relevant to gardening and permaculture
At least two years of effective teaching experience in high-need communities and/or Montessori environments preferred
Strong classroom management skills
Willing to serve all children, regardless of background or needs, in an inclusive and supportive setting. Fortitude for the challenges we will face
Flexible, takes initiative, and has a strong sense of personal ownership of responsibilities.
Work collaboratively with a growth mindset. Give and receive feedback in a spirit of craftsmanship
Model of character and virtue
Dedication to support human flourishing through the school’s philosophy of wonder, work, and love for all students.

Measures of Success

Health of gardens and animals
Family and community participation
Timely, high quality planning
Satisfactory performance evaluations
Other indicators

Compensation

Hourly rate for part time; salary for full time
Eligible for increases or stipends for performance or additional duties.
Investment in faculty professional development and growth.

Application process
Interested candidates should apply online at www.LibertasMemphis.org, where candidates can also learn more about our school. Please submit a resume, at least three references, and a cover letter (required) explaining why you would be a good fit for this position. Please direct any questions to [email protected]. Libertas does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.