Horticulture Teacher - Whitney Hall School

🌱 Horticulture Teacher – Whitney Hall School

📍 Hamden, CT | 🕒 Full-Time | Exempt

Grow Skills. Build Confidence. Create Hands-On Learning Experiences.

The Children’s Center of Hamden is seeking a dedicated Horticulture Teacher to develop and lead engaging, experiential horticulture programming at Whitney Hall School. In this role, you’ll design and deliver hands-on instruction in gardening, landscaping, and related vocational skills—helping students build career readiness, confidence, and practical workplace skills in a supportive special education setting.

Why Join Us?

At The Children’s Center of Hamden, you’ll be part of a collaborative, mission-driven team where all of our teachers are valued and supported every step of the way. We know the importance of providing you with the tools and resources you need to succeed in the classroom — and to grow in your career.

👩‍🏫 High Staff-to-Student Ratios & Small Class Sizes – Enjoy the ability to provide individualized instruction and build meaningful connections with students in a supportive classroom environment.

🏫 Outstanding Classroom Support – You’ll have the help of skilled paraprofessionals and the guidance of an experienced Instructional Coach, ensuring you always have the resources and mentorship you need in the classroom.

💰 Competitive Compensation & Stipends – Ability to earn additional income during the Extended School Year (ESY) program

💼 Retirement & Long-Term Security – Our positions are Teacher’s Retirement Eligible and also include access to a 403(b)-retirement savings plan and Social Security benefits—helping you build a strong financial future.

🎓 Tuition Loans & Career Growth – Invest in your future with interest-free tuition loans, ongoing training, and professional development opportunities that help you advance and specialize.

🏥 Comprehensive Benefits – Medical, dental, vision, life, disability, EAP, and wellness programs. On one of our medical plan options, The Children’s Center covers 92% of the employee premium and contributes to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), making quality healthcare affordable and accessible.

🏖️ Generous Paid Time Off – Sick, personal time, and school breaks so you can recharge and maintain balance.

💙 Supportive, Mission-Driven Culture – Be part of a school community dedicated to student success and teacher well-being.

What You’ll Do

As Horticulture Teacher, you will:

• Design and deliver horticulture instruction for school-year and summer programs, integrating gardening, landscaping, and vocational skill development.
• Assess academic strengths and challenges to guide instruction.
• Coordinate, supervise, and evaluate year-round horticulture programming and special projects to ensure safety, consistency, and strong learning outcomes.
• Train, coach, and schedule youth and staff for horticulture activities; promote engagement, teamwork, and skill mastery.
• Partner with the Vocational and Transition Counselor and community resources to expand vocational opportunities for students.
• Maintain accurate records, benchmark/progress reports, and substitute plans; participate in meetings and required professional development.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

What We’re Looking For

• Holds or is immediately eligible to obtain Connecticut Agriculture Education Certification (#040) OR Connecticut Vocational Education Certification (#098).
  • If not certified, eligibility for a Durational Shortage Area Permit (DSAP) will be considered.
• Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture, Agriculture, or a related field required.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, implement, and adapt instruction for diverse learners.
• Demonstrated experience planning and delivering instruction for students with special needs.
• Excellent classroom management and student engagement skills.
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate with families and interdisciplinary teams.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

• Ability to routinely perform physical tasks (i.e. light to moderate lifting, standing, walking, bending) common in school and horticulture settings.
• Potential exposure to bodily fluids and other environmental hazards in a school-based setting

Join Our Team

If you’re passionate about making a difference in the lives of students with special needs, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today and help shape brighter futures at Whitney Hall School!

📌 The Children’s Center of Hamden is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.