Youth and Schools Education Coordinator

About GrowBuildLearn

GrowBuildLearn (GBL) is a social impact enterprise combining smart hydroponic technology, AI-powered education support, and immersive STEM curriculum to address food security and educational engagement challenges. Our mission is to empower individuals and communities to grow food, build sustainable systems, and learn together.

We're creating innovative solutions that make year-round food production accessible while delivering engaging hands-on STEM education to schools and communities across Ontario.

Eligibility Note (OJCP Funded)

This role is funded through the Ontario Job Creation Partnerships (OJCP) program. Candidates must be Ontario residents who are currently unemployed or working under 20 hrs/week and must have a qualifying EI history (currently receiving EI, received EI within the last 60 months, or paid EI premiums in at least 3 of the last 10 years).

What you’ll Do

Design and develop hands-on STEM curriculum and build school board partnerships to expand GrowBuildLearn's Mars Farmer Academy across Ontario. This role combines curriculum development expertise with relationship building, creating engaging programs that teach sustainability and environmental science while ensuring deep alignment with Ontario curriculum mandates and securing school board adoption. 

This role is perfect for educators, curriculum developers, or those with educational sales backgrounds who want to shape innovative STEM programming and drive institutional partnerships across the province. 

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive hourly wage based on experience (minimum $18/hour)

• Commission or bonus structure tied to goals

• Mileage reimbursement for school visits and field travel

• Flexible hybrid work arrangement

• Professional development opportunities

• Meaningful work with direct community and environmental impact

Key Responsibilities

Curriculum Development & Alignment 

• Design and develop Mars Farmer Academy curriculum materials aligned to Ontario expectations (Grade 3 "Growth and Changes in Plants" and Grades 7-8 "Engineering Design Process") 

• Create comprehensive lesson plans, student activities, and hands-on STEM learning experiences 

• Develop assessment rubrics and learning outcome tracking tools aligned to Ontario achievement standards 

• Write teacher implementation guides and classroom resource materials 

• Integrate Indigenous perspectives and environmental stewardship principles into curriculum 

• Adapt and refine content based on teacher feedback and pilot program results 

• Create cross-curricular connections (Math, Language, Science) 

• Stay current with Ontario curriculum updates and educational policy changes 

• Develop differentiated materials for diverse learning needs including neurodivergent students 

School Board Partnerships & Relationship Building 

• Develop relationships with school boards across Ontario (Catholic and public boards) 

• Navigate school board approval processes and curriculum requirements 

• Conduct needs assessments with schools to tailor program offerings 

• Present curriculum and program value to administrators and decision-makers 

• Represent GBL at EcoSchools Ontario events and educational conferences 

• Build partnerships with curriculum consultants and STEM coordinators 

• Identify schools aligned with GBL's mission and program capacity 

• Support outreach and sales efforts through educational presentations and demonstration programs 

• Follow up with school administrators to advance partnerships and secure program adoption 

• Maintain CRM records and track partnership development pipeline 

Program Delivery & Teacher Support 

• Deliver pilot Mars Farmer Academy experiences to demonstrate curriculum effectiveness 

• Facilitate teacher professional development workshops on curriculum implementation 

• Model effective instructional strategies for hands-on STEM education 

• Provide ongoing pedagogical support and resource consultation for classroom teachers 

• Train teachers on Mars Farmer Academy program delivery and system integration 

• Guide pilot schools through program launch and initial implementation 

• Collect feedback from educators to inform curriculum refinement 

Education & Experience 

• Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) with Ontario teaching certification (OCT) OR post-secondary degree in education, curriculum development, instructional design, environmental science, or related field 

• 1-3 years experience in curriculum development, instructional design, or classroom teaching 

• Strong understanding of Ontario K-12 curriculum, particularly elementary science and/or intermediate technology 

• Experience developing educational materials, lesson plans, or learning resources 

Core Competencies 

• Strong curriculum development and instructional design expertise 

• Excellent written communication skills for creating educational materials 

• Deep understanding of pedagogical principles and learning theory 

• Ability to align content with curriculum standards and assessment frameworks 

• Exceptional presentation and communication skills with educators and administrators 

• Relationship-building and account management skills with ability to work effectively with school personnel and decision-makers 

• Comfortable with outreach, business development, and consultative sales approaches 

• Research skills to stay current with educational best practices and policy changes 

• Cultural competency and commitment to inclusive, accessible education 

• Self-motivated with strong project management and organizational abilities 

• Valid Ontario driver's license and reliable transportation for school visits across Ontario 

Knowledge & Skills 

• Deep familiarity with Ontario curriculum expectations and assessment standards 

• Expertise in STEM education best practices and inquiry-based learning 

• Understanding of backward design and Understanding by Design (UbD) frameworks 

• Knowledge of food security, sustainability, and environmental science concepts 

• Proficiency with educational technology and digital learning platforms 

• Strong project management and organizational abilities 

• Excellent writing and editing skills for educational content 

Preferred Qualifications (Nice to Have, But Not Required!) 

• Master's degree in Curriculum & Instruction, Educational Leadership, or related field 

• Additional Qualifications (AQ) in environmental education, STEM, curriculum development, or Special Education 

• Experience with Understanding by Design (UbD) or similar curriculum frameworks 

• Published curriculum materials or educational resources 

• Knowledge of hydroponic growing or sustainable agriculture 

• Familiarity with Ontario EcoSchools certification process 

• Experience working with neurodivergent learners or Universal Design for Learning (UDL) 

• Background in educational sales, business development, or account management 

• Experience with CRM systems or relationship management tools 

• Track record of building institutional partnerships or securing program adoption 

• Bilingual (English/French) an asset