About FirstLine Schools

In 1998, FirstLine Schools started the first charter school in New Orleans. FirstLine now operates four PreK-8th grade schools.  Our mission is to create and inspire great open, admissions public schools in New Orleans. 

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 leaders who hold themselves accountable for student achievement and teacher development.

About ESYNOLA

Founded in 2006, Edible Schoolyard New Orleans (ESYNOLA) envisions generations of New Orleans children who have healthy relationships with food, the natural world, themselves, and their community.  ESYNOLA's mission is to teach children to make healthy connections through food and the natural world.  Our goal is to improve the long-term well being of our students, families, and school community, by integrating social and emotional learning principles with hands-on organic gardening and seasonal cooking into the school curriculum, culture, and cafeteria programs. 

We believe that:

• Food education should be taught in conjunction with core academics
• Children learn by doing
• Health and wellness contribute to the success of the whole child
• Beauty is the language of caring
• Local farms and sustainable farming practices are vital
• School food reform is an integral part of the education we offer our students
• Families and communities are integral to our success

FirstLine’s Vision Of Teaching Excellence:

We develop teachers at FirstLine by focusing on excellence in teaching. To do so, we coach teachers and center professional development on our Vision of Excellence in Teaching rubric the components of which include: 

• On Task (Maintaining high expectations and maximizing instructional time)
• Essential Content (Planning effectively)
• Cognitive Engagement (Maintaining High Academic Expectations and Building Thinking Skills) 
• Demonstration of Learning (Leading Instruction, Checking for Understanding, Responding to Student Misunderstanding)
• Community of Learners (Establishing Expectations and Responding to Student Behaviors)

Position Summary:

The ESYNOLA AmeriCorps Garden Educator’s role is to support the teaching garden at Langston Hughes Academy. The corps member will work with the lead garden teacher to inspire students' curiosity for the natural world and inspire a healthy relationship with food in garden classes and family events. This position is ideal for someone who wants to grow in their teaching skills and experience, is comfortable performing garden maintenance and teaching in all kinds of Louisiana weather, and can consistently maintain a positive rapport with students in varying educational environments. 

Position Responsibilities:

Garden Education

• Support and/or lead  a small group during garden classes, delivering content that is sensory, healthful, experiential, developmentally appropriate, and scientifically accurate
• Prepare for lessons; includes pre-reading lesson plans provided by the lead garden educator in order to be ready to support class
• Assist in the preparation and cleanup of classes 
• Work with the garden team to maintain the garden through daily and weekly tasks. Assist with garden produce distribution projects, including harvest tables. Assist with the compost program. 
• Maintain consistent and constructive communication/feedback with the garden team, and receive and respond to teacher coaching, when applicable
• Participate in collaborative goal setting process with lead garden educator to create individual benchmarks
• Attend, prepare for, and participate in garden education professional development sessions
• Develop teaching and classroom management skills
• Support student assessments and observations in garden classes
• Collect data from students including occasional surveys, student willingness to taste new foods, and Americorps social/emotional pre and post surveys
• Guide students to make connections between the garden and the kitchen, understand local, seasonal, and sustainable culinary practices, and make healthful food choices at home and at school
• Update chalkboards and behavior chart in preparation for all classes
• Assist the ESY team in preparations for An Edible Evening ESYNOLA fundraising event in the spring
• Support some after-hours family events at LHA such as Family Food Night, report card conferences and open house
• Feed and care for animals

School / Network

• Be on time and active for school duty posts (recess, lunch, etc.) 
• Attend school morning meetings, professional development sessions, and support school-based initiatives
• Attend regular team meetings to review, prepare for and contribute to garden class planning
• Participate in ESYNOLA all-staff meetings. Participate in all applicable Professional Development sessions and trainings provided by ESYNOLA staff
• Support testing days such as interims and state testing

Education & Experience:

• High school diploma 
• Good sense of humor and positive rapport with kids
• Belief in FirstLine’s mission and vision
• Interest in urban gardening and agriculture preferred, prior experience with gardening is a plus.
• Dedicated to working hard and receiving feedback
• Excitement to learn through direct experience
• Great attitude in the heat and cold weather

Desired Qualities & Characteristics:

• Believe in every student’s ability to achieve in a rigorous college or career prep curriculum
• Achieve results based on agreed-upon expectations
• Take personal responsibility 
• Highly detail-oriented 
• Collaborate effectively with a range of stakeholders 
• Share a commitment to creating great schools in New Orleans
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Model the FirstLine Commitments
  • We Keep Learning
  • We Work Together
  • We are Helpful
  • We are the Safekeepers of our Community
  • We Share Joy
  • We Show Results 

Physical Requirements:

• 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 and kneel for long periods, ability to lift, push and/or pull objects, which may be approximately 50 pounds
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to sit, walk, stand, talk, and hear. 

AMERICORPS GARDEN EDUCATOR reports to: Lead Garden Teacher

How to Apply:

This position is paid by a $18,000 annual stipend from Notre Dame Mission Volunteers Americorps.

Service term is:  August 16th to June 30th.

Benefits provided by AmeriCorps are healthcare coverver and $6,800 education award

FirstLine Schools provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.