School Garden Educator Internship

Schoolyard Farms at Candy Lane Elementary, Milwaukie, OR
Availability Requirements: 2-3 months in the Spring or Fall
Compensation: Unpaid

Schoolyard Farms is a one-acre non-profit educational farm located at Candy Lane Elementary in Milwaukie, Oregon. In the Spring and Fall, Schoolyard Farms provides weekly garden-based lessons to the 2nd-5th graders who attend Candy Lane.

The School Garden Educator Intern is a part-time unpaid position reporting to Schoolyard Farms’ Education Director. School Garden Educator Interns will learn about best practices in experiential farm-based education by developing onsite activities engaging students in exploring the farm, participating in farm tasks, preparing healthy snacks, farm arts and crafts, scientific inquiry, and active play.

The intern will complete a project designed in collaboration with the education programs staff.

Project opportunities include

• Design new indoor learning experiences as companion lessons for existing programs
• Research and report on cutting-edge experiential education practices
• Develop, implement, process and analyze program evaluations
• Create lessons and lesson materials for our Fresh Food in the Classroom program and/or Schoolyard Stewards program

Time Commitment

• 2-3 months from April-June or September-November, 2015
• Must be available for at least 8 hours on Tuesdays and/or Wednesdays between 8am-3pm, your schedule permitting

Responsibilities

• Provide for the safety, well-being, and care for the unique needs of students outdoors
• Bring experiential curriculum to life for 2nd-5th graders, including activity planning, prep, leadership, clean-up, and evaluation
• Enthusiastically role model healthy eating, active living, and appropriate use of technology
• Observe Schoolyard Farms’ Food Safety, Farm Safety, 1st Aid, and Emergency Protocol
• Commit to consistent attendance, timeliness, and finding own transportation to and from site
• Contribute to a safe, inclusive, diverse and fun learning community at Schoolyard Farms.

Qualifications

• Must pass a criminal background check
• At least 18 years of age
• Passion for leading children or youth in outdoor education programs
• Experience and passion for farming and gardening in the Pacific Northwest
• Experience or interest in creating and developing original experiential curriculum
• Excellent communication skills, ability to observe and improvise, and a twinkle in your eye

Benefits

• College credits (check with your school)
• Experience teaching and developing outdoor education programs
• Knowledge of sustainable farming practices in the Pacific Northwest
• Potential for a long-term opportunity with Schoolyard Farms

How to Apply

Please specify your availability and provide a resume, two work or school-related references and cover letter with a brief description of your teaching philosophy to Schoolyard Farms Education Director, Brooke Hieserich, at [email protected] by 5:00pm on March 16th, 2015 for a Spring Internship or 5:00pm on August 17th, 2015 for a Fall Internship.

Schoolyard Farms provides equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, veteran status, gender identity or sexual orientation, in accordance with applicable federal laws.