Young Gardeners Program - Outdoor Learning Educator

Groundswell’s Young Gardeners Program (YGP) Outdoor Learning Educator will support the expansion of YGP’s Outdoor Education program into the school day of Galveston Independent School District (GISD). Using the on-site YGP gardens located at all GISD campuses as outdoor classrooms, they will implement lesson plans focused on core academic subjects that leverage the outdoor garden classroom as the central tool and environment to drive learning outcomes. They take direction from the YGP Program Director and work in consistent collaboration with the Groundswell leadership staff. 

This full-time position is responsible for YGP Outdoor Education during the school day at at least one GISD school campus across multiple age/focus areas (including PreK4, Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, ESL, Life Skills), strategizing with the Groundswell Leadership team on how to further integrate YGP experiences into GISD school day, and cultivating and maintaining trusted relationships with GISD administration and teaching faculty.

Start Date: August 5, 2026

Hours: 40 hours/week

Salary: $50,000/year + Benefits (including health insurance)

FLSA Status: Salaried, non-exempt

Location: Galveston, TX

Reports to: Young Gardeners Program Director

Questions about the position? Please email hiring@groundswellgalveston.com

Major Responsibilities:

• Meets with YGP Director weekly either in-person or via teleconference to discuss the status of current projects and to take on new and shifting tasks. 

• Supports the environment Groundswell has built through cheerful and accountable interactions with GISD personnel, students, volunteers and site facility staff

• Participates in development and implementation of strategic plans, work plans, and other organization-wide efforts seeking to accomplish Groundswell’s mission and goals

• Attends weekly staff meetings with other Groundswell employees 

• Attends campus faculty meetings minimum monthly and outreach events as needed

• Utilize YGP's extensive library of 60+ lesson plans, aligned with Texas Education & Knowledge Standards (TEKS) that covers a wide range of STEAM subjects to ensure a cohesive scope & sequence that aligns with and adapts to the needs of the Outdoor Education GISD classrooms

• Adapt existing and develop new lesson plans as needed to fit diverse campus/educator and student needs, collaborating with teachers wherever possible

• Lead lessons with up to 30 students per class, totaling up to an approx. 600 students weekly

• Manage a weekly schedule of approximately 18-20 hours teaching and approximately 20-22 hours executing high-level administrative duties (planning with GISD faculty and Groundswell Leadership staff, recruiting new teachers/classrooms, reporting and recording data,  adapting curriculum as needed, etc.)

• Contribute to program expansion by actively pursuing new teacher relationships and supporting continuing education/ Professional Development (PD) units introducing more classrooms to the gardens

• Maintain a balanced workload of classroom instruction and administrative responsibilities 

• Practice flexibility with regard to lesson implementation and classroom location on campus; OLE must often adapt due to weather, campus building changes, etc.

Qualifications

• A positive attitude and strong work ethic

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

• Attention to details and love of organization 

• Critical thinking, logic, & reasoning

• Excellent time management skills

• Fluency in Spanish language, written & spoken preferred

• Dynamic teaching style that fosters engagement and meets learning objectives

• Strong communication skills to collaborate effectively with teachers 

• Highly organized, empathetic, and aligned with program and organization values 

• Passion for equitable education, teamwork, holistic learning & student-centered lessons

• Must be able to pass background check

• Familiarity with Google Suite network and Slack application software

• Strong working knowledge of edible garden plants 

• Knowledge of principles & methods for curriculum & training design, teaching & instruction for individuals & groups, & the measurement of training effects

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in education or equivalent experience in Early Education or Life Skills teaching (minimum 3 years)

• Horticulture, agriculture or gardening experience, education, or degree

• Experience in organizing dynamic projects and curriculum development

Physical Requirements:

• Reliable transportation and access to the internet

• Willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions

• Ability to work on feet for hours at a time

• Ability to lift 30lbs

• Ability to safely use gardening tools and implements