La Follette Gardener-in-Residence

Rooted is seeking an experienced educator to serve as Gardener-in-Residence (GiR)/ Culinary Instructor at La Follette High School in Madison, Wisconsin for the 2025-2026 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.

General Statement of Duties and Responsibilities

The Gardener-in-Residence (GiR)/ Culinary Instructor leads a popular after school cooking club, Lancer Kitchen, in collaboration with Madison Schools & Community Recreation (MSCR). The GiR develops and implements engaging cooking activities for diverse populations of La Follette students. The GiR collaborates with school administration, staff, students and families to ensure the culinary program serves as a thriving teaching resource for the school community.

Schedule

• Rooted training: August 26-28, 2025, 10 hours of training 


• La Follette High School: September 2025- June 2026, 5 hours/ week leading Lancer Kitchen, an after school culinary program with MSCR (includes 4 hours for club + 1 hour prep/ planning)


• Must be available at least one afternoon per week from 2:30-6:30 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays; exact schedule to be determined with MSCR site director at school.
  
  

Compensation

• $20/ hour, part-time LTE
  
  

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Builds relationships and coordinates with teachers, school staff and volunteers.


• Develops and leads engaging, culturally relevant cooking activities for high school students. 


• Collaborates with school/ MSCR staff to ensure Lancer Kitchen supports the school community.


• Encouraged to utilize local produce and connect with La Follette’s school garden and/or local farms when applicable. 


• 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 high school-aged children in educational and/or recreational settings is preferred. 


• At least one year of experience cooking 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.

Review of applications will begin right away and continue until the position is filled.