Jewish Farmer-Educator

ABOUT GANN:

Gann Academy is a pluralistic Jewish high school that challenges students to cultivate their talents and interests in all areas of human potential: intellectual, artistic, spiritual, and physical. Our faculty, made up of Jewish and non-Jewish educators, facilitates the student journey. We seek teachers committed to collaborating and growing in their teaching practice; supporting diverse learners in the classroom; and connecting with students outside the classroom, both formally and informally. 

Gann Academy is committed to building an inclusive workplace culture where talented people of widely diverse backgrounds can thrive. We believe that including diverse perspectives will improve our work and societal and learning outcomes. All employees participate in this commitment, whether internally, in building a welcoming workplace culture, or externally, in ensuring inclusive engagement with families and other community members.

Perhaps most of all, Gann offers a community of intelligent, collaborative, and compassionate professionals who care about their work, school, and colleagues. We help one another learn, solve problems, and have fun. 

SUMMARY

Under the supervision of the Director of Jewish Education and in collaboration with the Jewish Student Life team, the Jewish Farmer-Educator bridges classroom learning with hands-on, experiential education. Through farm-based learning, this role fosters a deep connection between Jewish tradition, sustainability, and environmental responsibility. This educator inspires students and faculty to engage in earth-based Jewish living and innovative, immersive learning experiences. The Jewish Farmer-Educator teaches in the Jewish Studies department, serves as a Jewish Life leader, and works to build the Gann Farm as a key experiential education resource and a lab for earth-based Jewish living and innovation. This position infuses the school community with spirit and passion for earth-based Jewish living and learning, promotes Jewish experiences that involve all the senses, and empowers student leadership to help Gann live out its mission and vision of meaningful, connected, and inspired Jewish living. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Teaching Duties:

• Teach the equivalent of three courses annually in the Jewish Studies department
• Collaborate with colleagues to plan and adapt curriculum and lessons
• Collaborate with colleagues on cross departmental and interdisciplinary projects
• Communicate clearly and effectively with students, parents, and colleagues in person and via email
• Use technology and other educational tools to support student learning
• Teach Farm Team wellness option during the Fall and Spring seasons
• Attend Jewish Studies department meetings

Farm Education/Programming:  

• Collaborate with Gann faculty across disciplines to design and implement curriculum that leverages the farm as a resource for hands-on, project-based learning
• Continue to create new opportunities for students to engage with the farm in ongoing ways
• Develop engaging, hands-on farm education programs for feeder schools and Jewish community groups. Work in conjunction with the admissions team as necessary.
• Design and direct multi week summer farm programming for teens and local community
• Support summer rental group usage of the Gann farm through site coordination and mentorship

Site Development and Stewardship: 

• Manage agricultural operations, guided by best practice for small scale regenerative organic agriculture, including but not limited to annual soil testing and amending, soil preparation, seeding/planting, irrigation, weeding/cultivation, pest management, harvesting, composting, infrastructure maintenance, etc.
• Oversee and approve Farm usage for school programs, including collaborating to develop policies for use of the Farm.  
• Lead ongoing development of the Gann Farm, ensuring its growth as an educational and community resource.
• Collaborate with Food Service Director on integration of farm produce into school food service and for general produce storage and food safety practices 
• Interface with Facilities Director regarding landscaping company’s management of surrounding fields as it affects the Farm.  
• Manage all Farm supplies and expenses 

Jewish and Student Life Responsibilities

• Shabbatonim & Retreats: 
  • Attend all Shabbatonim & Retreats and play an appropriate leadership role in the planning and program implementation process
• Zman Kodesh:
  • Facilitate one Zman Kodesh group, meeting 2-4 mornings per week
  • Lead Friday morning musical singing in school lobby to welcome in Shabbat
  • Assist in school-wide Zman Kodesh programming as assigned
• Holiday celebrations:
  • Inspire and support student and faculty leaders in planning and executing holiday celebrations/observances each year
  • Assist with planning and implementation of holiday celebrations as assined
• Other:
  • Attend Jewish Life team meetings as appropriate

Community Involvement & Engagement:

• Serve as a student advisor or the equivalent.
• Serve as club advisor or the equivalent.
• Attend and participate in communal programs outside the classroom during school hours; model and encourage appropriate behavior and monitor students during events and programming.
• Attend and participate in open houses, graduation, and other special events which may take place in the evenings and/or weekends.

Fundraising & Development: 

• In consultation with Gann’s development team, lead fundraising efforts to support the Farm program and staffing through cultivation of new donors, solicitation of additional gifts from existing donors, as well as pursuit of foundation and sponsorship support.  
• In consultation with Gann leadership, develop strategic plan for the farm, including use of land and scope of program.

Collaborative Responsibilities

• Work with students outside of the classroom as needed.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across all departments.
• Attend and participate in department meetings; collaborate with department members and instructional director on curriculum development, lesson planning, student issues, and department initiatives.
• Assist colleagues with substitution when able; arrange and communicate class coverage as needed.

Professional Development, Growth, and Training

• Attend and participate in all faculty/staff meetings, work-day programs, in-service training (including both August and June in-service days), orientation programs, seminars, and safety training/drills.
• Pursue professional development opportunities in or out of school; display willingness and ability to grow, learn, and practice self-reflection; work with instructional director and other members of the faculty and administration on educational and pedagogical growth and innovative tools and techniques in and out of the classroom.

 Qualifications and Education Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree is required
• Experience in experiential Jewish education and farm-based education
• Strong organizational skills
• A commitment to student-centered, mastery-based teaching
• Must be proficient in English to carry out work as assigned

Language Skills

Must be proficient in English to carry out work as assigned.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

Physical demands include dexterity for office machine/supply operation including but not limited to: computer, telephone, copy machine. Stooping, bending, and reaching for files or supplies and sitting or standing for extended periods of time are common.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to do this job. The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required. 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Gann Academy is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the School to prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants, without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity or expression), and pregnancy, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or veteran status. The School will conform to the spirit as well as the letter of all applicable laws and regulations. The School will act to employ, advance in employment and treat qualified Vietnam era veterans and disabled veterans without discrimination in all employment practices.

ACCOMMODATION

External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case by case basis.

Salary : $70,000 - $76,000