FoodPrints Lead Early Childhood Teacher

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, experiential food education program currently embedded in in 21 DC public elementary schools in Wards 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. FRESHFARM also operates food education and food access programming at early childhood education (ECE) centers in Wards 7 & 8 and enrichment out of school time programming at a limited number of afterschool and summer sites.

WHO YOU ARE:

• Have 2+ years experience working with young children, ages 6 months through 5 years, in educational settings, with demonstrated working knowledge of early childhood education practices
• Have experience in food and/or garden education-related fields, including environmental education, place-based education, science, or outdoor learning
• Have basic cooking skills
• Are familiar with interdisciplinary, hands-on, student-centered learning approaches
• Passionate about FRESHFARM’s mission and values, excited to be a member of a dynamic and collaborative team, and serve as a FoodPrints leader in the local public school community

WHAT YOU’LL DO: The FoodPrints Lead Early Childhood Teacher will teach FoodPrints classes at one FoodPrints partner early childhood elementary school as well as lead food education and community engagement programming at one or two early childhood education centers in DC. This individual is responsible for classroom management, lesson planning, and program implementation utilizing our grow-cook-eat-learn model in classrooms, kitchen classrooms, and gardens in DC public elementary schools and community-based early childhood education centers. This individual reports to a FoodPrints Instructional Coach; takes direction from and collaborates with the ECE Program Manager; and is an active part of a collaborative team of teachers working across the city in FoodPrints partner schools.

Responsibilities at Schools and ECE Centers

• Use the FoodPrints program model, curriculum, and community engagement principles to plan and lead FoodPrints sessions with young students 6 months to 5 years in early childhood, preschool, and kindergarten classrooms.
• Communicate with school and ECE center teaching staff and administration to schedule classes, events, and other programming, and to plan lessons and engagement opportunities that support learning goals for the school or center
• Manage school gardens and teaching kitchen/classroom
• Provide direction and supervision for interns and parent volunteers

Administrative Responsibilities

• Procure all produce and ingredients for classes on a weekly basis using online ordering systems and shopping for other ingredients
• Complete documentation of lessons and engagement with school and ECE communities
• Work in partnership with school or center administration on scheduling classes, events, and problem solving
• Attend weekly FoodPrints team meetings and other trainings and professional development opportunities

THE PERKS:

• Join a collaborative, diverse, & supportive team passionate about food, gardening, & sustainability
• Contribute to the growth & expansion of FoodPrints programming at ECE centers
• Connect with young children and families around joyful experiences with food

THE DETAILS:

• We are currently hiring for one Lead Teacher to start in mid November 2025
• Schedule: This employee will be expected to work between Monday - Friday during normal business & school hours. Mondays are set aside for professional development and planning during the school year. Family classes held on the weekend and evenings may be scheduled on occasion.

• This is a full-time, exempt position compensated with an annual salary of $63,000 - $70,000. We anticipate the starting salary for this position will be in the lower half to mid point of that range, depending on experience.
• Time Off: All full-time employees receive 11 annual holidays (8 hours each), 3 floating holidays per year, and accrue up to 73 hours of sick leave and 80 hours of annual vacation leave (with increases after 3 and 6 years of service). This role will also be eligible for 12 weeks of paid parental leave, 2 weeks of prenatal leave (through DC paid family leave), and 10 days of bereavement leave (as needed). Typically, FF offices close for a 1 week winter break, including paid time-off for salaried employees.
• Eligible to enroll in 100% employer covered healthcare, as well as generous employer coverage for vision and dental and employer paid short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, AD&D and an employee assistance program (EAP).
• Eligible to contribute to a 403b plan (opt-in; Roth or post-tax).