SCHOOL GARDEN EDUCATOR Position Available In Dukes, Massachusetts

School Garden Educator
Island Grown Initiative
Date Posted June 11, 2025
Location Tisbury, MA
Category Education / Nonprofit
Job type Full-Time

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

Island Grown Initiative is a non-profit organization focused on building a regenerative and equitable food system with the Martha’s Vineyard community. We provide innovative, collaborative programs in regenerative farming, food waste reduction, and community education to help make good food accessible to all our island residents. Learn more about our suite of programs at igimv.org.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position description: At Island Grown Initiative, we see education as foundational to making the long-term changes we seek in the food system. The Island Grown Schools Educator works independently and as part of a team to implement farm to school programming with preschool through high school students and families in our community. The Island Grown Schools Educator maintains robust gardens at schools and offers standards-based lessons on food, farming, cooking and nutrition in the classroom and garden. This is a full-time, 40 hour a week position that starts in mid to late August.

Principal responsibilities:

School gardens: 35% Plan and implement the planting and maintenance of school gardens throughout the year.
Create an accessible and inclusive outdoor learning environment for multiple learning styles.
Engage school community in garden projects and encourage ownership of the garden.

Classroom:

35% Implement age appropriate curriculum based on IGS units and learning goals.
Communicate with teachers to tie lessons in their curriculum.
Meet with teachers and IGS staff to continue to develop relevant curriculum connections, new lessons, projects and activities. Cafeteria/Harvest of the

Month:

5% Communicate with the food service directors regarding Harvest of the Month items featured in the school lunches.
Host Harvest of the Month raffles. Incorporate Harvest of the Month lessons into your curriculum.
Grow Harvest of the Month crops in the garden.

After school clubs:

10% Plan, advertise and facilitate garden and/or cooking clubs at schools when possible, during one or all of the fall, winter and spring seasons.

Field trips:

10% Connect schools to local farms and farmers during relevant lessons/units.
Schedule field trips with schools and farmers.
Facilitate field trips when appropriate.

Events:

5% Facilitate student run plant and/or seed sales when and where appropriate.
Help organize school wide events tied to Island Grown Schools goals such as lunches, Wellness Days and/or speakers. What we’re looking for: Love of working with children Passion for creating a regenerative food system Experience in garden or farm-based education a plus
Ability to work independently and as a part of a team
Classroom management skills Knowledge of age-appropriate content and capabilities Ability to pass a CORI test for work in the schools

COMPENSATION

this position is: salaried, $35,568• – $50,000
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS