Americorps -
nutrition program educator position
Whidbey Island Nourishes and the South Whidbey School District, in collaboration with Washington Service Corps, is seeking an AmeriCorps member to be part of a team of teachers, farmers, food educators and volunteers that teach about the benefits of healthy eating while providing a fresh food, in-class snack program for elementary school students.
Founded in 2007, Whidbey Island Nourishes (WIN) is a volunteer-powered, nonprofit organization dedicated to nourishing youth on South Whidbey Island by providing no-cost, ready-to-eat healthy meals. In January of 2020, WIN partnered with the South Whidbey School District to launch a snack program for all students, K-4, at the South Whidbey Elementary School. The program delivers fresh fruit and vegetables two times a week to classrooms and utilizes produce harvested from the school district's School Farms Program as much as possible. Our program seeks an enthusiastic and well organized individual who has a background in health and nutrition, who loves working with kids, who can help grow the snack program to five days a week, assist teaching health and nutrition in PE classes and be part of the team that supports the South Whidbey School Farms Program.
Since 2014, the South Whidbey School District has been growing fresh vegetables using organic practices integrated with garden-based curriculum linked to Common Core and Next Generation Science standards. The program is now a specialist garden science class taught to 650 students K-6 at the SW Elementary School weekly, and 50 students in garden elective and CTE Agriculture at the SW High School daily. The students are the farmers, and school farm-grown produce is delivered to the cafeteria for the school lunches, used in culinary lessons, eaten on the spot at the farm by the students, used in school events and distributed to Whidbey Island Nourishes and other community partners for distribution to those in need.
As well as serving the school community, Americorps educators will become part of a community of young farmers and apprentices who are passionate about food, and food justice, here on South Whidbey.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
REQUIRED SKILLS:
Term of service: September 1, 2020– July 15 , 2021.
More specific information about stipend and educational award is available on the Washington Service Corps website.
In addition to applying through the Washington Service Corps (apply here), please also send your resume and a cover letter to Melinda Gardiner, Whidbey Island Nourishes Program Manager, winposition@whidbey.com. We will respond promptly. Please contact us at 360-221-7787 if you have not received confirmation of your application.
Interviews will be held in May of 2020 and our program will begin on September 1, 2020.
Contact us promptly if you are inspired to join our team!
Founded in 2007, Whidbey Island Nourishes (WIN) is a volunteer-powered, nonprofit organization dedicated to nourishing youth on South Whidbey Island by providing no-cost, ready-to-eat healthy meals. In January of 2020, WIN partnered with the South Whidbey School District to launch a snack program for all students, K-4, at the South Whidbey Elementary School. The program delivers fresh fruit and vegetables two times a week to classrooms and utilizes produce harvested from the school district's School Farms Program as much as possible. Our program seeks an enthusiastic and well organized individual who has a background in health and nutrition, who loves working with kids, who can help grow the snack program to five days a week, assist teaching health and nutrition in PE classes and be part of the team that supports the South Whidbey School Farms Program.
Since 2014, the South Whidbey School District has been growing fresh vegetables using organic practices integrated with garden-based curriculum linked to Common Core and Next Generation Science standards. The program is now a specialist garden science class taught to 650 students K-6 at the SW Elementary School weekly, and 50 students in garden elective and CTE Agriculture at the SW High School daily. The students are the farmers, and school farm-grown produce is delivered to the cafeteria for the school lunches, used in culinary lessons, eaten on the spot at the farm by the students, used in school events and distributed to Whidbey Island Nourishes and other community partners for distribution to those in need.
As well as serving the school community, Americorps educators will become part of a community of young farmers and apprentices who are passionate about food, and food justice, here on South Whidbey.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Coordinate with PE teachers to assist in teaching health and nutrition lessons to K-4 students to improve healthy eating habits (contributing 1 week/month)
- Serve directly with WIN staff to help procure produce from vendors (the School Farm, local farms, and grocery suppliers)
- Coordinate parent and community volunteers and lead the preparation and delivery of snacks to the classrooms
- Serve directly with students, teachers and administrators, parents, and community members to help promote the benefits of the snack program and the impact of healthy eating
- Generate info/messaging about the snacks (e.g. what it is, where it came from, how it benefits our overall health, etc.) for teachers to share with students in the classroom
- Facilitate the systematic growth of the Snack program
- Develop social media content (Facebook posts, etc) about the Snack Program
- Support the School Farm and culinary classes as needed
REQUIRED SKILLS:
- Experience working with children aged kindergarten - 6th grade
- Experience/comfort in communicating, leading and directing volunteers
- Outstanding organizational and time management skills
- Ability to problem solve and communicate
- Self-directed and able to work independently as well as with a team
- Ability to work outside in all weather conditions
- Ability to lift 50 pounds
- Flexibility, patience, and a sense of humor
Term of service: September 1, 2020– July 15 , 2021.
More specific information about stipend and educational award is available on the Washington Service Corps website.
In addition to applying through the Washington Service Corps (apply here), please also send your resume and a cover letter to Melinda Gardiner, Whidbey Island Nourishes Program Manager, winposition@whidbey.com. We will respond promptly. Please contact us at 360-221-7787 if you have not received confirmation of your application.
Interviews will be held in May of 2020 and our program will begin on September 1, 2020.
Contact us promptly if you are inspired to join our team!
