FoodPrints Instructional Coach

WHO WE ARE: FRESHFARM builds a more equitable, vibrant, sustainable, and resilient food future for the region by producing innovative solutions in partnership with local communities and organizations in the DC area. We create food access, economic development, and community building through hands-on education, farmers markets, and distribution programs. FoodPrints is FRESHFARM’s school-based food education program currently operating in 21 DC public elementary schools in Wards 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 for 8,000 students. FoodPrints also engages school communities around food access and education, collaborates with FRESHFARM on two school-based farm stands, and operates afterschool programming at two partner schools.

WHO YOU ARE:

• Experienced instructional coach with 2+ years as a coach at the elementary level, preferably with an additional 2+ years teaching experience at the elementary level
• Experienced in diverse, urban, multicultural school communities, preferably in Washington, DC, and preferably with multilingual populations
• Experienced with science, garden, and/or food education
• Able to communicate effectively and deliver constructive feedback to a diverse array of people
• Able to proactively contribute to a shared, collaborative leadership structure
• Have very strong knowledge of pedagogy and researched-based instructional strategies that engage students and result in increased teacher effectiveness, student performance, and positive, trauma-informed classrooms.

WHAT YOU’LL DO: FoodPrints Instructional Coaches are responsible for supporting and supervising FoodPrints teachers in order to ensure successful FoodPrints programming at partner schools. Coaches guide teachers on lesson planning, classroom management, utilizing FoodPrints’ grow-cook-eat-learn model in school classrooms, gardens, and teaching kitchens, and carrying out teachers’ various administrative duties. This includes:

Coaching and Support of Teachers - 60%

• Supervise FoodPrints Lead and Assistant Teachers and support them in delivering FoodPrints programming with the highest of quality aligned with the program goals.
• Visit schools regularly to: model lessons, provide teaching or assisting support with classes when other staff are unable to cover for staff who are out, troubleshoot with teachers, etc.
• Support FoodPrints teachers in managing their time to complete administrative tasks.
• Coach a summer teaching team by guiding planning and liaising with summer school site leaders.

Shared Leadership for the FoodPrints Team - 40%

• Engage in FoodPrints Leadership Team meetings and discussions.
• Contribute to building and maintaining strong partnerships with schools by working with Lead Teachers to participate in key school events and liaise with school staff and administration.
• Attend team meetings and professional development sessions and contribute to content and execution, at the direction of the FoodPrints Curriculum Director.
• Collaborate with other Coaches on scheduling and logistics for teacher placement and coverage.

THE PERKS:

• Join a collaborative, diverse and supportive team that is passionate about food, gardening, & sustainability
• Contribute to the growth and expansion of FoodPrints programming at our partner schools
• Connect with youth in joyful learning environment where students garden, cook, and eat together

THE DETAILS:

• This is a full-time, exempt position, and is therefore not eligible for overtime
• Schedule: This role will typically work during school and/or business hours, with an expected average of 40 hours per week; weekend or evening hours will occasionally be needed to support special events, as well as early hours to support last minute staffing changes due to sick leave or other emergencies.
• Locations: This role will be required to work at FoodPrints schools across the city, and the FRESHFARM Office and complete some admin work remotely. In a typical week, coaches can expect to travel to 2-4 schools across multiple DC wards, and sometimes multiple in one day.