Secondary AgriscienceScience Teacher - FFA Advisor

Job Summary:

The Secondary Agriscience/Science Teacher - FFA Advisor provides engaging, hands-on instruction in agriscience and science while helping lead the development of a growing K-12 agriscience program in Grand Ledge Public Schools. This position is located in a newly developed agriscience and science facility outside of the district's traditional K-12 school buildings and is designed to support innovative, experiential, and community-connected learning opportunities for students.

In addition to classroom instruction and FFA leadership responsibilities, the successful candidate will help shape and expand district agriscience programming through partnership development, student leadership opportunities, career-connected learning experiences, and collaboration with staff across grade levels. This role requires an educator with initiative, vision, flexibility, and a passion for building meaningful student experiences connected to agriculture, science, STEM, natural resources, and related career pathways.

Program Vision & Development

• Help develop and expand a comprehensive K-12 agriscience program.
• Assist in establishing traditions, student organizations, and community partnerships connected to the agriscience facility.
• Promote student awareness of agricultural, environmental, STEM, and skilled trades career pathways.
• Support the development of innovative student learning experiences connected to agriculture and science.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Instructional Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver engaging instruction aligned with state standards and district curriculum in agriscience and/or science courses.
• Develop lessons that integrate hands-on, laboratory-based, and project-based learning experiences.
• Differentiate instruction to meet the academic, social, and emotional needs of all students.
• Assess student learning using a variety of formative and summative assessment methods.
• Maintain accurate student records, grades, and progress reports.
• Utilize instructional technology and data to support student achievement and growth.
• Maintain a safe and organized classroom, laboratory, and agricultural learning environment.

FFA and Agricultural Education Responsibilities

• Serve as advisor to the local FFA chapter and supervise all chapter activities.
• Organize and support student participation in leadership development events, competitions, conferences, fairs, and community activities.
• Coordinate supervised agricultural experiences (SAEs) and experiential learning opportunities for students.
• Promote agricultural education programs and recruit students into agriscience courses and FFA activities.
• Build partnerships with local agricultural businesses, community organizations, and post-secondary institutions.
• Assist with grant opportunities, fundraising activities, and program development initiatives.
• Supervise students during after-school, evening, and weekend activities as required.

Professional Responsibilities

• Collaborate with colleagues, parents, administration, and community stakeholders to support student success.
• Participate in district and building professional development activities.
• Maintain compliance with district policies, safety procedures, and state/federal regulations.
• Demonstrate professionalism, effective communication, and positive relationships with students and staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned by administration.
• Collaborate with elementary, intermediate, and middle level staff to promote agricultural literacy and STEM experiences.
• Support K-12 program articulation and career pathway development.
• Help design student experiences that build awareness and engagement in agriculture-related careers beginning in earlier grades.

Note: These duties and responsibilities are judged to be "essential functions" in terms of the Americans With Disabilities Act or ADA. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The statements below are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by a person in this position. They are not constructed as an exhaustive list of all duties that may be performed by such a person.

Qualifications

• Valid Michigan Teaching Certificate.
• Required endorsement: DS, DI or DA and HX
• Demonstrated competency in Agriscience and CTE certification (or ability to obtain).
• Strong integration of instructional technology.
• Ability to differentiate instruction for diverse learners.
• Effective classroom management and relationship-building skills.
• Demonstrated leadership, public relations, and communication abilities.
• Experience developing agricultural education programs.
• Experience with FFA leadership and SAE coordination.
• Experience with grant writing and community partnerships.
• Experience designing experiential or project-based learning.
• Ability to support interdisciplinary STEM learning.
• Willingness to assist with facility/program development.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of instructional best practices and curriculum development.
• Ability to effectively engage students in hands-on and experiential learning.
• Strong leadership and student mentorship abilities.
• Ability to organize and manage multiple activities, events, and deadlines.
• Effective collaboration and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.

Work Environment

• Classroom, laboratory, greenhouse, and outdoor instructional settings.
• Regular interaction with students, staff, parents, and community partners.
• Evening and weekend responsibilities related to FFA events, competitions, and student activities may be required.
• Occasional travel for conferences, competitions, and field experiences.

Physical Demands

• Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout instructional areas for extended periods.

• Ability to lift and carry instructional materials and equipment.

• Ability to supervise students in classroom, laboratory, and outdoor environments.

The employee shall remain free of any alcohol or non-prescribed controlled substance in the workplace throughout his/her employment in the District.

Grand Ledge Public Schools District shall provide equal opportunity and shall not discriminate in matters of employment or enrollment on the basis of age, religion, race, traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, color, national origin, gender/sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, height, weight or marital status in its programs, services or activities.