Rooted School Garden Educator – Huegel Elementary School

Rooted's Gardener-in-Residence Program is seeking an experienced educator and grower to serve as School Garden Educator at Huegel Elementary School in Madison, Wisconsin for the 2026–2027 school year.

About Rooted

Rooted, formed in 2020, grows a community-led, sustainable food system through urban agriculture education, food production, and land access so that people can grow and thrive in healthy, equitable, and sustainable neighborhoods. Based in Madison, Wisconsin, Rooted connects communities across the north and south sides through its three core sites—Troy Farm, the Madison School Farm, and the Badger Rock Neighborhood Center & Urban Farm—as well as a network of community and school gardens.

About the Gardener-in-Residence Program

Rooted’s Gardener-in-Residence (GiR) program provides engaging, hands-in-the-dirt garden education in partnership with participating Madison Metropolitan School District schools. All school gardens are unique, but our mission at each site is the same: To help students experience the joy of growing and eating fresh food while building agricultural knowledge and cultivating environmental stewardship. 

Position Summary

We are seeking an enthusiastic and knowledgeable School Garden Educator to lead garden-based learning experiences for students at Huegel Elementary School. The School Garden Educator will provide hands-on garden lessons that connect students to food, agriculture, ecology, and the natural world. Through experiential learning, the educator will foster curiosity, environmental stewardship, teamwork, and healthy eating habits while maintaining a vibrant and productive school garden. This position is part of Rooted's Gardener-in-Residence Program and works closely with school staff, students, families, volunteers, and Rooted team members to create meaningful educational experiences.

Schedule

• 20 hours of training; 10 hours of Teaching in Nature’s Classroom coursework + 10 hours with Rooted staff in late August/ early September 
• Huegel Elementary: 10 weeks in fall 2026 and 10 weeks in spring 2027 - 10 hours/ week (8 hours teaching + 2 hours planning/ prep). Garden class schedule to be determined with school garden liaison. 

Compensation

• $20/ hour, part-time LTE

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

Garden Education

• Plan and facilitate engaging, age-appropriate garden-based lessons for elementary students.
• Deliver hands-on educational experiences that align with school curriculum and learning objectives when appropriate.
• Incorporate topics such as plant science, ecology, nutrition, food systems, pollinators, composting, and environmental stewardship.
• Create an inclusive and welcoming learning environment for students of diverse backgrounds and abilities.
• Encourage student leadership, curiosity, and connection to the garden space.

Garden Stewardship

• Maintain and oversee the school garden throughout the growing season.
• Develop seasonal planting plans and coordinate planting, harvesting, and garden maintenance activities.
• Manage garden supplies, tools, and educational materials.
• Implement sustainable gardening practices, including composting, soil health management, and pollinator-friendly gardening.
• Coordinate summer garden care as needed.

Community Engagement

• Build positive relationships with teachers, administrators, families, and community partners.
• Support volunteers assisting in the garden.
• Attend garden-related events, workdays, harvest celebrations, and community engagement opportunities, schedule permitting.  
• Collaborate with Rooted staff and fellow Gardener-in-Residence educators to share resources and best practices.

Program Administration

• Maintain lesson plans, attendance records, and program documentation.
• Participate in trainings and professional development opportunities.
• Assist with program evaluation and reporting requirements.
• Adhere to Rooted policies and school district guidelines.
• Communicates regularly with Rooted Farm to School Director based on a mutually agreed upon schedule.
• Responsible for communicating with school staff to establish a schedule for garden lessons and responding to emails within 48 hours to ensure program efficiency and clear communication with school staff. 
• Other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

• At least two years experience working with elementary-aged children in educational and/or recreational settings is preferred. 
• At least one year of experience gardening or farming using sustainable and/or organic practices is preferred. 
• Experience working with cultural competence in diverse groups of people in community settings.
• Proficient use of smart phones, office software, email, and other technology.
• Ability to communicate effectively. 
• Ability to lift and carry at least 50 pounds.
• Ability to commit to and promote Rooted’s mission, goals and priorities.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Rooted is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. We strongly encourage applications from diverse applicants of all ages. Rooted is committed to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment.