Environmental Literacy Teacher - Talbot Community School

TITLE: Environmental Literacy Teacher - Talbot Community School

POSITION OVERVIEW: 

Portland Public Schools is seeking skilled environmental literacy / science teachers to support learning and curriculum at Talbot Community School.

Under the general direction of the school principal and the district Outdoor and Experiential Coordinator, each Environmental Literacy / Science teacher will work with partner schools in a "specials" model. The aim of this program is to continue the district's efforts towards building our experiential environmental literacy and science curriculum at the elementary level.   Also, the teachers will help tend the garden as well as help to build school community support around garden maintenance and care.

The Environmental Literacy / Science teacher serves as a collaborator, teacher, and resource specialist to students and school staff regarding the schoolyard. garden and environmental and/or science education as an integrative part of the existing standards-aligned curriculum.  This position will enhance school/student/teacher/parent knowledge about the resource that the schoolyard is as a learning environment. In addition to the above, teachers will also work individually with the building admin on school-specific initiatives. 

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Have significant knowledge within the field of environmental literacy and environmental education and / or science.
• Be current on best practices in climate, environmental and/or science education.
• Have familiarity with working with students with building climate resilience.
• Be familiar with the habitat, flora, and fauna of the schoolyard.
• Foster love in students of the natural world by inspiring curiosity and wonder.
• Work to continue to build upon their own "naturalist"  and environmental literacy knowledge.
• Be highly organized and self-directed. Be able to manage time well and effectively.
• Teach with an understanding of experiential learning theory and pedagogy.
• Plan, design, and implement a school-based garden.
• Maintain a garden throughout the year as needed by season.
• Be an inspiring, educational resource about the Living Schoolyard for teachers and admin at your school.
• Be a model of successful outdoor learning and have strong outdoor class management skills.
• Collaborate and meet regularly with the building principal, Elementary Director of Academics, Experiential Learning and Environmental Literacy Coordinator, and other Environmental Literacy Teachers to ensure coherence and equity for students across the district.
• Design and Implement curriculum based on the PPS articulated curriculum, characteristics of learners, predominant learning theories, elements of lesson planning, and meeting the needs of diverse learners.
• Organize school-wide events, community celebrations, and information sessions which center the outdoors and living schoolyard as a school and community resource.
• Manage the School-based Gear Library.
• Fulfill responsibilities needed to assist teachers in utilizing outdoor classroom spaces.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

• EQUITY: Strong equity orientation and an openness to personal reflection on deepening awareness of personal bias and being culturally and linguistically responsive.  Demonstrated conviction around having high expectations for all students.  Conviction that all students can achieve at high levels, and a deep-seated belief that all teachers have the capacity to get them there. Experience with culturally and linguistically responsive pedagogy. Asset orientation towards students, especially with multilingual learners and students with disabilities.
• CONTENT KNOWLEDGE: Experience with Environmental Literacy and/or Science Instruction, including garden and food-based education to teach students about the interconnectedness of all living things. Be familiar with Environmental Literacy Principles, Next Generation Science Standards, and Student-Led Inquiry. Climate Resilience,  Understand principles of Place-Based Education. Willingness to learn more about Indigenous studies, Wabanaki curriculum, and food justice. Experience teaching from an experiential framework and interest in developing this teaching style. Must have robust Outdoor Classroom Management Skills.
• RELATIONSHIP BUILDER: Great relationship builder. It is essential that collaboration and team teaching is a skill for the candidate. Demonstrated ability to build trust with teachers and administrators. A great teammate. Someone who lifts people up rather than bringing them down. Someone who has a "go-getter" attitude about work, and is a positive role model for their community for teaching experientially and in the outdoors.
• COMMUNICATION: Excellent oral and written communication skills. Leads with clear rationale, with equity at the center. Brings humility and positive intentions to all collaborative work, and includes diverse stakeholders in decision making.
• SYSTEMS THINKER: Understands the importance of coherence. Ability to make connections between the school-site and the larger district vision. Continues to connect dots, share wins, work to solve problems that arise, and bring an innovative spirit to a work that is new to everyone.   

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in Environmental Literacy and/or Science Education, Outdoor Learning, or Garden Education or a related field
• Outdoor learning management experience preferred
• Experience teaching and leading teachers preferred

CREDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Maine State Teacher Certification with Endorsement 020 (Elementary Education, K-6 or K-8)
• Maine State CHRC authorization (more info) **
  • **if you already have an active teacher certification, you do not need a separate CHRC as this clearance is tied to your teacher certification

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects
• Ability and willingness  to work outside in most weather conditions

EMPLOYMENT DETAILS:

• Schedule: School Year, Part Time (0.6 FTE)
• Assignment: Permanent
• Reports to: School Principal
• Contract: Part of PEA union (see 2025-2028 CBA here)
• Salary: Based on education and experience, as outlined in CBA
• Benefits: Eligible for benefits as outlined here

ABOUT TALBOT:

Gerald E. Talbot Community School is a Pre-K through Grade 5 school of nearly 400 students named in honor of Gerald E. Talbot, one of the most cherished and respected community leaders in Portland, ME. We are proud of our diverse population of learners from around the world, who speak 23 different languages. Talbot is a Title I school and is also recognized by the MDOE as a community school, which means we focus on meeting not only the academic needs of our students but also their broader developmental needs, including ensuring their physical and mental health, promoting their social and community engagement and supporting and strengthening their families and neighborhood. In addition to housing one of the district's functional life skills (FLS) programs, our building is also shared with a branch of the Portland Public Library, a Greater Portland Health dental office, and space for the Recreation Department of Portland Parks and Recreation, including a community swimming pool.

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Portland Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws.