Job Title: Enrichment Specialist

John Rex Elementary School is seeking a school-wide enrichment specialist with a focus on school gardening and technology. This position combines elements of teaching, gardening, and environmental stewardship to foster a love for nature, healthy eating habits, and sustainability among students. The Enrichment Specialist will design and implement garden-based lessons, manage the school garden, and collaborate with teachers to integrate garden-based learning across subjects.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Curriculum Development: Design and develop a garden-based curriculum aligned with academic standards, including science, math, language arts, and social studies. Create engaging lesson plans that incorporate hands-on gardening activities, plant science, nutrition education, and environmental awareness. Adapt curriculum to accommodate different grade levels, learning styles, and abilities.

2. Garden Management: Plan, plant, and maintain the school garden throughout the year, including soil preparation, planting schedules, watering, weeding, and pest management. Organize garden clean-up days and involve students, staff, and volunteers in garden maintenance tasks. Ensure the garden is a safe and accessible learning environment for students.

3. Instruction and Teaching: Lead garden-based lessons and activities for students, both in the garden and in the classroom. Provide hands-on instruction in gardening techniques, plant biology, composting, and sustainable agriculture. Facilitate outdoor experiences that encourage curiosity, exploration, and a sense of wonder about the natural world.

4. Collaboration and Outreach: Collaborate with classroom teachers to integrate garden-based learning into their curriculum. Work with school administrators to coordinate garden-related events, such as harvest celebrations, farmer's markets, and community workshops. Foster partnerships with local organizations, businesses, and community members to support the school garden program.

5. Evaluation and Assessment: Assess student learning and growth in garden-based education through observation, projects, and assessments. Collect and analyze data to evaluate the effectiveness of the garden program and make adjustments as needed. Provide feedback to teachers, students, and stakeholders on the impact of garden-based learning.

6. Professional Development: Stay informed about best practices in garden-based education, environmental education, and sustainable agriculture. Participate in professional development opportunities, workshops, conferences, and networking events related to garden education. Share knowledge and resources with colleagues to promote a culture of environmental literacy and sustainability within the school community.

COMMUNICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Frequent written, telephone, electronic, and in-person contact with the administration, other teaching and office staff, parents, volunteers, and community representatives for exchange of information and services, and general problem solving.

• Written correspondence, school communication website, newsletter articles, memos, to disseminate educational information, materials, and records.
• Contact with parents for purposes of advocacy, education, and general information sharing.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in education, environmental science, horticulture, or a related field. (Preferred not required)
• Experience working with elementary-aged students in a teaching or educational setting. Knowledge of gardening techniques, plant biology, and sustainable agriculture practices.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with students, teachers, administrators, and community members.
• Passion for environmental stewardship, nutrition education, and experiential learning.
• Creativity, flexibility, and enthusiasm for outdoor education and hands-on learning experiences.
• Ability to manage a school garden, including physical tasks such as lifting, bending, and gardening in various weather conditions.

EVALUATION:
Performance of this job will be evaluated by school administrator(s) using informal and formal observations conducted multiple times each year by evaluators using JRCS the measurement tool.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
In coordination with school administrators, Teacher Assistants, if applicable.

OTHER SKILLS:

• Ability to read, analyze and interpret general professional journals, technical procedures, and/or government regulations.
• Ability to write reports and correspondences as may be appropriate to teaching staff in general.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions in one-on-one and small group situations to students, parents, teachers, staff and the general public.
• Ability to define and solve problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical and diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Ability to use computer and computer related programs and other technologies needed to perform essential job functions.
• Ability to apply knowledge and current research and theory.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff, and the community.
• Ability to organize and chair or facilitate committees and meetings.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written form.
• Ability to perform duties and awareness of all school requirements and Board of Directors policies.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and depth perception.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works inside. The noise level in the work environment is quiet to loud depending on the activities in the particular part of the day and location.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties may be performed by individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" relationship.

I have read and understand the essential functions, requirements, and qualifications of this position.

BENEFITS:

Beginning teachers with a Bachelor’s degree earn a $46,250 base salary. Salary adjusts with experience and qualifications. Faculty and staff benefits include paid health insurance and participation in Oklahoma Teacher Retirement. Employees also receive sick and personal leave benefits, priority enrollment for their children; paid parking, and job-embedded collaboration/professional development.

Job Type: Full-time

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Work Location: In person