Instructional Leader, School-University Nutrition and Gardening Partnership

Posted by University of Pennsylvania on January 4, 2016

Instructional Leader for the Penn-Lea Program for Developing 21st Century Skills and Improving Community Health through a School-University Nutrition and Gardening Partnership

Lead Instructor, reference number 02-21737
https://jobs.hr.upenn.edu/postings/15143

Position Duties:
We seek an instructional leader for the Penn-Lea Program for Developing 21st Century Skills and Improving Community Health through a School-University Nutrition and Gardening Partnership. This program will simultaneously improve both academic achievement and student and family health at Lea through school day, after school, and summer community health improvement projects. The project director will be based at Lea and work with the Lea leadership and school day teachers and leverage Penn and community resources to help develop new — and where appropriate adapt nationally recognized –curricula that generate enthusiasm through activities such as nutrition-focused gardening and edible forest development, food education, and local environmental improvement. These activities will engage students in active problem solving through the implementation of health improvement projects. The projects will be specifically designed to improve decision-making, increase family engagement, and build core academic skills by being rooted in the core curriculum.

This is a component of the nationally recognized University-Assisted Community Schools (UACS) program of Penn’s Netter Center for Community Partnerships and is co-managed with the Lea Principal and instructional leadership team.

The development of this project over three years requires a full-time educator who can support garden, nutrition, and environmental improvement curricula development, particularly integrating these activities across subject areas. This Director will provide overall coordination and support of the staff, volunteers, activities and partnerships that comprise the program.

Position Qualifications:
A bachelor’s degree and 3 years to 5 years of teaching experience and 1 to 2 years of curriculum development experience are required. A master’s degree is preferred. Strong experience with K-8 education. Experience working with undergraduate students, particularly in community service and service learning, preferred. Experience in facilitating successful partnership endeavors and managing multiple programs. Track record of both self-directed and team-oriented accomplishments. Organized, detail-oriented, accurate, and dependable. Highly flexible (schedule will include some nights and weekends). Knowledge about Penn and West Philadelphia preferred. Team building and coaching experience preferred.