This position will serve under the direction of the Assistant Head of School and will be primarily responsible for supporting and implementing projects and initiatives at Kamehameha Schools Maui that focus on: supporting and strengthening garden-based learning, sustainability, on-and off campus 'aina based learning and Kapikohanaiamalama program components. These components include support for gardening, composting, farming, energy efficiency and renewable energy project development, conservation (water and land), waste minimization and recycling, and community collaboration involving 'aina based and conservation learning opportunities.
Responsibilities will also include support of campus regular school year and summer session educators, students, and staff by providing curriculum opportunities, resources, and training to facilitate teaching of STEAM concepts in the context of school gardens, Kapikohanaiamalama, 'aina based learning, and environmental sustainability that connect to our E Ola! Learner Outcomes. This position will serve as a bridge between the classroom as well as other community and local government efforts to address critical energy, natural resource, and climate issues.
The objectives of this position are to: 1) significantly advance KS’ and KS Maui’s school garden, Kapikohanaiamalama, 'aina based learning, and sustainability programs by supporting ongoing efforts and developing program capacity and participation among regular school year and summer session faculty, staff, and students; and 2) provide curriculum opportunities that support educators in making alignment to the E Ola! Learner Outcomes and preparing more graduates for rewarding careers requiring STEAM proficiency. The position is intended to facilitate and enhance STEAM education by supporting faculty, rather than create additional workload or time commitments for them.
Essential Responsibilities
Program Design and Development
- Based on research of successful programs and “best practices” with other schools, plan and implement programs to enhance STEAM education through problem solving that addresses environmental sustainability challenges; increasing access to and use of school gardens; facilitating on and off campus ?aina based and conservation learning opportunities; and leading the campus’ efforts with respect to Kapikohanaiamalama both during the regular school year and summer/intersession sessions. Related tasks will include coordination with partners, developing budgets, monitoring, and reporting.
- Plan and conduct grade-level specific teacher training sessions to facilitate awareness and use of school garden, ?aina based learning, and sustainability curriculum, alignment of those programs with E Ola! Learner Outcomes, and other relevant curriculum opportunities for both regular school year and summer program sessions.
- Identify opportunities in K-12 curriculum and E Ola! Learner Outcomes to incorporate STEAM concepts and skills to understand and address real-world challenges such as climate change, drought, threatened and endangered species, waste management, and pollution.
- Develop, plan, coordinate, and implement activities, including but not limited to, seminars, teacher trainings, and public events and other programs related to KS Maui’s school gardens, ?aina based learning, sustainability and Kapikohanaiamalama initiatives.
Training and Facilitation
- Encourage and facilitate school garden, ?aina based learning, and sustainability efforts initiated by regular school year and summer session faculty, staff, and students; foster and coordinate new ideas and concepts for school garden, ?aina based and sustainability initiatives and identify materials and resources to supplement, expand, or improve existing programs.
- Respond to specific requests from K-12 teachers by conducting lesson specific research and distilling this information for ready use in the classroom.
Research and Evaluation
- Research and obtain useful teaching multi-media materials, kits, and equipment.
- Monitor and evaluate program effectiveness, document performance trends, and recommend and implement modifications to improve program effectiveness.
Program Operations and Administration
- Coordinate with teachers, administrative staff, and outside professionals to plan and conduct relevant field study to project sites and facilities across Maui.
- Coordinate with teachers and staff to increase student participation in and awareness of existing campus programs to conserve energy, promote renewable energy, conserve water, promote water reuse, reduce waste, and promote material recycling and reuse.
- Communicate program activities to campus leadership, teachers, staff, students and parents at various meetings, through reports, or other avenues as requested.
- Prepare memos, newsletters, teacher training material, visual presentations and graphics, curriculum documentation, field study event schedules, program budgets, and grant reports.
- Supervise seasonal student help at the Kapikohanaiamalama site
- Manage the campus compost facility to include coordination of paper, cardboard, food scraps, and green waste delivery; management of compost machinery and the delivery of compost product to be used on and around campus (in collaboration with Operations)
- Assist the Director of Operations with implementation of KS’ Sustainability Plan, including delivering on goals, strategies, resources, partners, performance metrics, and reporting requirements.
- Collect, maintain, and upload data to KS Sustainability Coordinator.
Position Requirements
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in related discipline, or equivalent proven performance.
- Minimum of 1 year of full-time equivalent work in the fields of school gardens, K-12 'aina based learning, school sustainability, school based conservation partnerships, or education.
- Candidate must be able to work collaboratively, take initiative, and work independently.
- Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communications skills.
- Proficiency in Google applications and Microsoft Office suite.
- Working knowledge of Common Core, Next Generation Science Standards and experience with curriculum development, implementation, and monitoring.
- Aptitude for collaborating with teachers, schools, community groups, and volunteers, and have a passion for farm to school issues including, but not limited to, education, environment, health, agriculture, and sustainability
- Experience designing curriculum and programs, assessment of these programs, and ability to demonstrate results
- Experience as a mentor teacher/coach in standards-based K-12 education.
- Excellent in designing professional development opportunities and working with diverse communities.
- Excellent in working with school partners and various community agencies.
- Excellent in problem-solving skills to identify and resolve existing or potential problems.
- Demonstrate ability to remain flexible in demanding work environment and to adapt to a rapidly changing environment.
- Ability to work with confidential and sensitive information and understand privacy issues; work independently; deal with various levels of contacts internal and external to KS
- Outstanding personal integrity and ability to manage responsibilities in a manner beyond reproach.
- Strong organizational skills to manage multiple functions and priorities in an efficient manner.
- Excellent in communication skills (oral, verbal and written) to all levels of management, faculty, staff, external agencies, alumni, students, parents, and other school staff and community resource representatives.
- Knowledge of Hawaiian culture, history, and/or language
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in related discipline.
- 3 years full-time equivalent work years in the fields of school based gardens; K-12 farm to table initiatives; sustainability/environmental consulting, conservation, or policy development with schools.
- Knowledge related to school based gardens, 'aina based learning, farm to table initiatives, renewable energy and energy efficiency, water conservation, waste minimization and recycling, and related organizational policy.
- Strong familiarity with environmental sustainability concepts and science, technology, engineering, and math applications in school gardens, 'aina based learning, sustainability, and conservation fields. Considerable knowledge of Common Core, Next Generation Science Standards and experience with curriculum development, implementation, and monitoring.
- At least one year of teaching at the K-12 level.
Physical Requirements
- Frequently sits, perform desk-based computer tasks and grasp light or fine manipulation, talk or hear
- Frequently stand and/or walk, write by hand, and lift and/or carry, push and/or pull objects that weigh up to 100 pounds
- Frequently twist, bend, stoop, squat, kneel, crawl, climb, reach or work above shoulder, or grasp forcefully
- Frequently operate and maintain common yard and farm machinery such as lawnmowers, weed-eaters, tillers, hand tools
Working Conditions
- Work is conducted in an office environment and may require work to be conducted in non-standard workplaces
- Work is conducted outdoors and in areas of uneven terrain
- Work is typically conducted Monday through Friday at normal business hours but evening and weekend hours are often required to meet goals and objectives.
