About FirstLine Schools

In 1998, FirstLine Schools started the first charter school in New Orleans. FirstLine now operates five 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 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 Associate Kitchen Teacher’s role is to teach kitchen classes as a small group leader for pre-K-8 grade students, assist in preparation and breakdown of classes, contribute to lesson planning and classroom development collaboration, help maintain the kitchen, support planning and running special events, and when appropriate, design curriculum and lead kitchen classes for 1-2 grade levels.

Position Responsibilities:

The Kitchen Teacher’s specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Classroom Instruction, Curriculum Development, and Special Events

• Lead small groups of students, and whole classes where appropriate Collaborate with the Lead Chef to develop and enhance and social and emotional learning and culinary centered lessons
• Develop lessons that include SEL and academic standards and experiential based learning methods 
• Assist/occasionally lead in the planning and delivery of “Edible Experiences” for students, including the annual Iron Chef competition, Market to Table field trip/cooking event, Family Food Nights, and others. Events occur on weeknights and Saturdays. 

Culinary Integration

• Remain engaged and knowledgeable about seasonal produce and coordinate with the garden team to integrate garden harvest into kitchen lessons
• Remain knowledgeable about food safety and service standards
• Actively provide input and recipe suggestions
• Support and lead in the maintaining of the teaching kitchen, including the sharing of large amounts of dishes used in every cooking class 
• Continuous daily and weekly kitchen maintenance and management, such as large amounts of dishes, cleaning burners, and food rotation 

Communication, Professional Development, and ESY Cultural & Wellness Integration 

• Assist in the growth of the ESY program at the school and integration of ESY culture in the cafeteria and other school spaces as needed
• Attend and actively participate in professional development sessions 
• Be an active presence in the school community (attend morning meetings, all-staff meetings, professional development sessions; attend leadership meetings as appropriate. Take initiative to stay informed of events and activities)
• Communicate consistently with parents, community partners,  local chefs, and support volunteers as needed

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree required
• Experience in culinary arts/nutrition preferred
• 1-2 years experience working with K-8 students preferred
• Experience working with New Orleans students preferred, especially in a public/public charter school 
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and to simultaneously supervise a variety of tasks is preferred
• Willingness to smell, taste, and feel garden produce, to help determine the quality of raw food is required
• Willingness to work occasional weekends/special events when needed is required
• Working knowledge of basic computer programs and Google applications is required

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:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to sit, walk, stand, talk, and hear 

Light lifting of equipment may be required (up to 20 lbs.)

ASSOCIATE Kitchen TEACHER reports to: Lead Kitchen Teacher