The Garden School Foundation is looking for interns to join us from January 9th through June 21st for the Spring term at the 24^th St Elementary School in West Adams, Los Angeles. Interns will work closely with our gardening and cooking teaching staff, helping supervise students and deliver the lessons.

The Garden School Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to providing an interdisciplinary program through garden-based learning in outdoor living classrooms. Classes come into the garden twice a month – once for gardening and once for cooking. During garden class, students participate in grade-specific lessons which focus on teacher-stated curricular goals. They also tend to the garden, including planting, weeding, watering, and whatever else needs doing. In cooking class, they harvest the food they’ve planted and prepare it, again focusing on age-appropriate kitchen and food themes. Our lessons are standards-based, and designed to foster children’s innate sense of curiosity and free play, incorporating science, math, literacy and nutrition for every student at the 24th Street Elementary School. Additionally, students are welcome to come in to the garden during recess to play, explore, relax, or however they choose to pass the time.  As a Garden School Foundation intern you will have the chance to:

Learn about organic gardening in an urban setting

·      Gain important garden-based education skills

·      Assist in teaching students and parents about preparing healthy, organic, delicious food

·      Create and implement a project of your choosing in the garden or for the organization

·      Meet and work with leaders in the Southern California urban agriculture and garden-based education movement

As an intern, your responsibilities will include:

·      Designing and completing a project of your choosing

·      Working closely with a diverse group of adults and children in an outdoor, garden setting

·      Assisting in the care of our ¾ acre vegetable garden

·      Assisting GSF garden and chef instructors in a wide array of topics including nutrition, meal-planning, and organic, sustainable urban gardening

An ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

·      A strong interest in food, gardening, education, and community building

·      Experience in outdoor education or working with youth

·      Be well-organized and responsible

·      Take initiative and work well independently, and also as part of a team

·      Energetic and willing to work outside during all weather conditions

·      Comfortable working with people of all ages and backgrounds

·      Spanish ability preferred

·      Outstanding verbal and written communication skills

·      Computer skills, including Word, Excel, and internet research

Interns will work 2 days a week from 9am to 3:00pm plus one Saturday per month from 8:30am to 1pm.  Internships are unpaid; however, we are happy to arrange academic credit with your school or university in exchange for your work with GSF. Please send a resume and short cover letter to Lina Swislocki and Cassie Martinez at lina@gardenschoolfoundation and cassie@gardenschoolfoundation.org.