Job Description

The Gardening Teacher will lead a hands-on gardening program for grades 3-8 that engages students in the seasonal rhythms of planting, cultivating, harvesting, and caring for the land. This role involves teaching practical horticultural skills while also fostering a deep connection to nature, an understanding of ecology, and an appreciation for the cycles of life. This position is .75 FTE at this time.

Description:

• Plan and deliver developmentally appropriate gardening lessons aligned with Waldorf educational principles.
• Guide students in seasonal garden work, including soil preparation, planting, weeding, watering, composting, and harvesting.
• Integrate storytelling, art, science, and nature observation into gardening activities.
• Demonstrate initiative and creativity in planning lessons and classroom management.
• Create pedagogically appropriate block rotations for each grade taught.
• Create a class rhythm.
• Identify skills to be developed for each grade.
• Provide modifications as needed. 
• Complete end-of-year student evaluations which entail writing narrative reports for each student regarding their progress over the course of the year. Reports also include overviews of each grade’s curriculum and are due in accordance with the deadlines provided.
• Plan and run 2 week-long summer camps (2 weeks total).
• Care for and maintain the school’s gardens, orchard, chicken coop (when chickens are present), greenhouse, and related outdoor learning spaces year-round.
• Collaborate with class teachers to coordinate Gardening lessons with Grade-specific curriculum blocks where appropriate
• Model environmental stewardship and sustainable gardening practices.
• Ensure safe use of tools and equipment.
• Organize and involve students in seasonal festivals, farm-to-table projects, or community gardening events.
• Maintain and support the school’s composting program and worm bins
• Oversee work of gardening assistant and manage their schedule;
• Oversee animal care (when animals are present)
• Replenish soil and mulch as needed in coordination with Facilities 
• Oversee the Gardening Committee with parent volunteers and faculty members
• Maintain gardening supplies and manage the program budget.
• Maintain collaborative relationships with other programs/colleagues using areas surrounding the School Garden.
• Plan, plant and harvest seasonal crops that support the seasonal and curricular activities of the school
• Serve on the Beautification Committee as a Faculty Advisor
• Recess duties and substitution as needed may be assigned;
• Other duties as assigned by the Pedagogical Group
• Attend weekly subject teacher meetings and weekly faculty meetings 

Qualifications:

• Experience in large scale gardening, horticulture, sustainable agriculture, or regenerative agriculture, preferably in an educational or community setting.
• Familiarity with Waldorf education, Biodynamic principles, regenerative agriculture, or a willingness to learn its principles and methods.
• Ability to work with children of varied ages and developmental stages.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to plan around seasonal cycles.
• Physical ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

Preferred

• Prior teaching experience, especially in experiential or nature-based education.
• Training in biodynamic gardening, organic farming, and or regenerative agriculture methods.
• Experience with animal husbandry
• Knowledge of local ecosystems and native plants.
• Experience in teaching, preferably in a Waldorf School setting

Reporting/Accountability

• The Gardening teacher will work with classes and students under the supervision of the Pedagogical Team.

Mentoring and Evaluation

• A mentor will be designated, and meetings with the mentor will be scheduled as needed. Suggestions made by the mentor will be written out and given to the Pedagogical Team.
• Evaluation- after the first year and then according to the faculty schedule.

Collegial Work

• Demonstrate initiative in problem solving.
• Attendance at subject teacher meetings is expected when possible. These meetings are a helpful way to collaborate, discuss challenges specific to subject teachers, and build collegial relationships.
• Attend all Grades and Full Faculty meetings 
• Participates in on-site professional development activities and other required school events
• Recess duties as assigned. Arrive on time, circulate around the yard, support healthy conflict resolution when needed, help injured students, and generally be attentive.
• Check email daily and respond within 48 hours.
• Follow the designated communication flowcharts and ask the Grade Chairs if unsure.
• Help with substitutions if needed.
• Engage in respectful and timely communication with colleagues.

Parent Work

• Demonstrate initiative in problem solving.
• Expected to contact parents via phone or email with significant student performance or behavioral concerns. Incident reports must be filled out and circulated when necessary.
• Expected to check email daily and respond within 48 hours to parent inquiries or concerns.
• Subject teachers hold parent conferences in February as a round robin group, but individual conferences with parents are held when necessary.

Policy and Procedures

• Expected to follow designated communication paths(stated above).
• Follow emergency procedures outlined by the school.

1. Maintain a walkie-talkie in the classroom space.
2. Review and comply with fire drill procedures.
3. Review and comply with lock down procedures.

• Complete all workplace training as directed by Human Resources in a timely manner.
• If substitution is needed, the teacher is expected to contact the substitution coordinator as soon as possible and provide lesson plans or other details as needed. If the teacher is unable to reach the substitute. coordinator, they will immediately contact any affected teachers and the front office.
• If support or changes to the position or program are needed, the teacher first goes to their section chair, in this case, Grades Chairs. If more support is needed, the teacher reaches out to The Pedagogical Group and/or Human Resources. These communications should be sought in a timely and realistic manner, with allotted time for meetings to be scheduled, background information be researched, etc.

Hours :

• This is a .75 FTE year-round position
• School Days M-F 8:00-3:00; .75 Schedule to be determined. 
• Required to attend Faculty Meetings 2.0 hours weekly

Continuing Education:

• Attend regular professional continuing education training directly related to Biodynamic Gardening and/or School Gardens and approved by the Mentor and the Director of Pedagogy.

Compensation:

• As provided for full-time faculty members, based on standard salary and benefit schedule.

Pay Range:

• $49,500 - $54,000 based on a .75 position.

Benefits:

• Health insurance benefits include dental and vision coverage
• Participation in an employer-sponsored 401K plan
• Professional development opportunities
• A supportive and collaborative work environment
• Tuition remission for the children of the successful candidate
• The opportunity to make a meaningful impact on students' lives and our community

How to Apply:  

We invite interested candidates to submit their resume and a cover letter to hr@waldorfsandiego.org with their name and “Gardening Teacher 2025-2026” in the subject line.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

WSSD provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training.

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