The AmeriCorps Educational Gardens Coordinator will serve closely with teachers to create outdoor learning opportunities and reinforce the importance of local food and healthy lifestyles through experiential education and garden education. This position will develop programming with Cortez School District and maintain current programming at Mancos and Dolores Schools. The Community Gardens Coordinator will also work with school cafeterias to provide students healthier lunch options. (MSTFP)
The AmeriCorps Educational Garden Coordinator will serve closely with teachers to create outdoor learning opportunities and reinforce the importance of local food and healthy lifestyles through experiential garden education. This position will develop programming with Needham Elementary School, and maintain current programming at Riverview and Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary Schools. (GPSW)
Service Activities
MSTFP
Primary Responsibilities:
- Serve weekly with the Mancos, Dolores and Cortez School Garden Programs. Help and learn about garden maintenance and instruction from the other school garden coordinators. Responsibilities include:
• Installing, expanding, and maintaining school garden.
• Coordinating with MSTFP Staff, teachers, and school administration to initiate garden classes.
• Develop and teach school garden curriculum that incorporates healthy eating choices, nutrition values, active lifestyles, gardening principles, and Colorado State Educational Standards.
• Connect with the Cortez, Mancos and Dolores food services directors to increase fresh and local food options in the school lunches.
- The AmeriCorps Garden Coordinator will serve independently and with MSTFP Staff to increase vegetable production in the school gardens to be used in the school cafeterias.
- Coordinate with volunteers in all three school gardens.
- Participate in orientations and trainings.
- Coordinate volunteers for each school garden program.
Other Responsibilities:
- Participate in training and enrichment activities including: site-specific training, trainings relevant to rural hunger, poverty, homelessness, and educational barriers; reading assignments, community nights, retreats, and other activities, trainings, or events that are applicable to the service year.
- Members are required to attend trainings and retreats, and must be excused at least 24hrs ahead of time by their supervisor for a training, and the AmeriCorps Program Director for a retreat, if he/she is not able to attend.
• If a member misses a training or retreat, excused or not, he/she must make up the hours missed by submitting an “Hour Make up Plan” and carrying out said plan upon approval by the AmeriCorps Program Director.
- Other allowable activities that contribute to the purpose of the position such as new programming, trainings, or client services.
GPSW
Primary Responsibilities:
- Participate in orientations and trainings.
- Make connections with the school principals, office staff, key teachers, PTO and cafeteria staff regarding the school garden education program.
- Provide gardening, cooking and art education for elementary aged youth through the Dirt Club afterschool program and Jr. Gardeners Summer Camp at various local elementary school gardens.
- Organize and lead the Farmer Days gardening activities with local farmers at the Needham School Garden.
- Coordinate regular maintenance of the Needham Elementary School Garden with volunteer Master Gardeners, teachers, parents and students
- Develop and teach school garden curriculum at Needham Elementary that incorporates healthy eating choices, nutrition values, active lifestyles, gardening principles, and Colorado State Educational Standards. (Work closely with Montezuma School to Farm Project Americorps members and staff).
- Develop evaluation tools to measure academic engagement and behavior related to school garden education (Work with MSFP).
- Train new AmeriCorps member in school garden curriculum and evaluation tools, garden maintenance and key contacts.
- Provide support for educational community workshops, volunteer workdays and local food events with Garden Project staff
- Provide outreach to volunteers and community members wishing to get involved in local school and community garden programs
Other Responsibilities:
- Participate in training and enrichment activities including: site-specific training, trainings relevant to rural hunger, poverty, homelessness, and educational barriers; reading assignments, community nights, retreats, and other activities, trainings, or events that are applicable to the service year.
- Members are required to attend trainings and retreats, and must be excused at least 24hrs ahead of time by their supervisor for a training, and the AmeriCorps Program Director for a retreat, if he/she is not able to attend.
• If a member misses a training or retreat, excused or not, he/she must make up the hours missed by submitting an “Hour Make up Plan” and carrying out said plan upon approval by the AmeriCorps Program Director.
- Other allowable activities that contribute to the purpose of the position such as new programming, trainings, or client services.
Community Need Addressed
Provide gardening education, nutrition and health education to students that would otherwise get educated in these area.
Position Outcomes
Increase the knowledge in nutrition and health education to school age children.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance
Education Benefits
College Degree
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Turn taking, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise, Provide relevant expertise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Derive consensus, Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Tools
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job, Consistently choose the best tool or technological solution for the problem at hand, Operate tools and equipment in accordance with established operating procedures, safety standards, and ethical guidelines, Seek opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and improving productivity
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Drive decision making, Effectively delegate tasks, Facilitate group planning, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Evaluate customer or client satisfaction, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Provide personalized, prompt, and efficient service to meet the requirements, requests and needs of customers, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment