Gardening​/Permaculture​/Manual Arts Teacher; Part

Gardening/Permaculture/Manual Arts Teacher (Part- or Full-Time)

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 the 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 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 school wide and classroom‑level practices and rituals, such as connecting before redirecting, using a warm and firm tone, matching children with work 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.
• 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…