Jobs
Current fellowships
Garden Educator - San Jose
7/26/2021 10:44:18 AM Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) Special Education Department
Job
Fellowship
Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) Special Education Department
Monthly Stipend $2255
End of Program Award $500
Location
Are you passionate about teaching and using school gardens as a learning laboratory for students with special needs? The Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) Special Education Department is looking for two emerging education professionals who share this passion to join our cohort of Climate Corps Fellows. We’re looking for skillful, energetic folks with a resilient mindset and a commitment to equity and social justice. We’re looking for independent problem-solvers who also value collaboration and teamwork. Most of all, we’re looking for dynamic, bright people who are ready to dedicate 10 months towards advancing science and environmental education for students with special needs in Santa Clara County public schools.
As a Special Needs Garden Educator you will:
- Help launch and develop the garden education program for special needs students at 1-2 school sites in San Jose
- Prepare for and teach multiple garden lessons per day to various grade and ability levels of special needs students at 1-2 school sites
- Adapt or modify lessons to meet individual student needs in areas including communication and mobility
- Utilize assistive technology, alternative and augmentative communication tools to support students and staff
- Build, maintain, and grow an effective, inviting, and productive garden classroom at 1-2 school sites
- Coordinate volunteer engagement opportunities at 1-2 school sites
- Create a safe and positive outdoor classroom culture
- Apply equity and anti-racist lenses to all teaching and learning with students
- Coordinate harvesting, cooking, and eating in the garden with students
- Facilitate sustainability projects and learning opportunities on campus and in their community
- Build strong relationships with community members in order to serve the needs of the school and students
- Coordinate with staff at SCCOE Special Education Department and at SEI to launch and develop garden education program
Desired Qualifications:
- Availability for the full-time, 10-month Fellowship program, beginning August 16, 2021
- A 4-year degree by the time the program cycle starts
- Experience teaching and working with groups of students outdoors
- Experience working with children and adults from diverse backgrounds
- Experience working with students with special needs is desired, but not required
- Experience with gardening or farming
- Experience prioritizing and managing projects
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
- Experience in and the drive to address racism and create race equity with team members and programmatically
- Competency in Spanish or Chinese is a plus, but not required
- If hired, Fellows will be required to provide proof of TB clearance, complete a Mandated Reporter Training, and pass a background check.
- SEI is a COVID vaccine-positive workplace, and all eligible employees are required to be fully vaccinated (unless they have an exemption for medical/disability or religious reasons)
These positions will begin August 16, 2021. During the school year, Mondays through Thursdays are dedicated to teaching in the outdoor classroom at your school site(s) and guiding science, sustainability, and other efforts with your school communities. Approximately 3 Fridays per month are designated for professional development.
As a Climate Corps Fellow, you will:
- Participate in a comprehensive training and development program, including 2-3 weeks of orientation and ~3 Friday training days per month. Fellows in these positions will receive training from our standard Climate Corps program, and they will also attend trainings from our specialized Climate Corps Education Outside track, which is focused specifically on providing garden education in public elementary schools.
- Receive valuable experience implementing environmental education programming that has measurable outcomes and benefits.
- Build critical connections and networks with climate protection leaders.
- Learn from being part of a regional cohort of Fellows dedicated to implementing innovative approaches to our collective climate challenge.
SEI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity. We believe that a wide array of perspectives contributes to creative climate solutions where all communities thrive. We strive to reflect diverse communities, especially those most impacted by climate change and other kinds of environmental, social, and economic injustices. Persons of color, persons with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ community are strongly encouraged to apply. A commitment to work and learn within an anti-oppression framework is required. https://www.seiinc.org/dei.html