Gardening Teacher & Garden Steward
Sunrise School of Ormond Beach is seeking a passionate and experienced Gardening Teacher & Garden Steward for the 2026–2027 school year.
We are a fully outdoor, Waldorf-inspired hybrid homeschool program located on 8 wooded acres at EarthPerks Farm. Our gardens are biodynamic / bio-organic and are an integral part of our educational philosophy. Gardening at Sunrise is not an enrichment activity — it is a living classroom.
We are looking for someone who understands that working with the land shapes the whole child — hands, heart, and head.
Responsibilities Include:
- Managing and maintaining all school garden beds year-round
- Planning seasonal planting cycles in alignment with biodynamic / bio-organic principles
- Teaching weekly, developmentally appropriate gardening classes for grades K–6
- Collaborating with classroom teachers to support integrated, nature-based learning
- Modeling stewardship, observation, and care in a fully outdoor environment
The Right Candidate Will:
- Be well-versed in biodynamic and/or bio-organic gardening practices
- Understand soil as a living ecosystem
- Have experience teaching children in outdoor settings
- Be knowledgeable about Florida-native plants and ecosystems
- Have familiarity with compost systems, seed starting, transplanting, and regenerative practices
- Bring calm presence, strong classroom leadership, and a genuine love of working with children outdoors
- Foraging knowledge and experience with permaculture or regenerative agriculture are preferred but not required.
At Sunrise, gardening education includes:
- Compost stewardship and soil health
- Seed starting and transplanting
- Pollinators and companion planting
- Crop rotation and seasonal rhythms
- Native plant identification
- Introduction to biodynamic preparations (upper grades)
- Garden design, mapping, and ecological awareness (grades 4–6)
This is a physically active, outdoor position in all Florida seasons. Candidates should be comfortable working in heat, rain, and varied natural conditions.
Schedule & Compensation:
This is a part-time position averaging 15–20 hours per week, which includes weekly instructional time with students (K–6) as well as garden planning, maintenance, and seasonal preparation. Compensation ranges from $25–$30 per hour, commensurate with experience and demonstrated knowledge of biodynamic / bio-organic and regenerative gardening practices. We value depth of expertise, initiative, and long-term stewardship of the land.
The Spirit of This Work
At Sunrise, gardening education goes beyond technique. Children are invited into rhythm, responsibility, observation, and meaningful contribution. They learn that soil is alive. That cycles matter. That care yields nourishment. That they themselves are participants in a living system.
Our Gardening Teacher is not simply maintaining beds — they are cultivating awareness. Through consistent rhythm and hands-on experience, students come to understand that the earth is not a resource to extract from, but a relationship to tend.
We are seeking someone who feels aligned with this level of stewardship — someone who sees agriculture as both practical skill and moral education. Someone who understands that working with the land forms character, resilience, humility, and gratitude.
If you are called to guide children into lifelong relationship with the earth — through integrity, ecological intelligence, and reverent practice — we invite you to apply.
Grade 4/5 Teacher
Are you an experienced elementary educator who feels most alive in nature, honors the unseen forces that guide all life, and believes that education is a sacred calling?
We’re seeking a Grade 4/5 teacher to join our thriving Waldorf-inspired hybrid program at Sunrise School of Ormond Beach—a school where learning unfolds outdoors, in rhythm with the land, the seasons, and the child.
About Sunrise School
Nestled on 8 acres of woods and farmland at EarthPerks Farm, Sunrise School is a nature-immersed, Waldorf-inspired hybrid program for homeschooling families.
Our curriculum weaves academics, art, handwork, and movement through the living rhythms of nature and the child’s inner development. Each lesson is brought with intention, beauty, and warmth—honoring the whole child: body, mind, and spirit.
Grade 4/5 Teacher
The Grade 4/5 Teacher will guide students through a developmentally aligned Waldorf curriculum, incorporating storytelling, practical arts, form drawing, movement, and nature-based experiences to enliven the subjects of language arts, math, science, and social studies.
This role calls for an educator who can hold clear structure and gentle authority while nurturing wonder, courage, and connection—someone who lives with inner awareness, reverence, and authenticity—and can carry that frequency into their teaching presence.
Responsibilities include:
• Designing and delivering main lesson blocks in accordance with Waldorf pedagogy (curriculum assistance and training is provided)
• Integrating nature-based and hands-on experiences into daily learning
• Collaborating with colleagues to ensure a cohesive, heart-centered program
• Supporting students’ social and emotional development through rhythm, story, and modeling
• Communicating thoughtfully and warmly with families
• Participating in school festivals and community events
What We’re Looking For
• Bachelor’s degree in Education (required)
• Familiarity with or formal training in Waldorf education (preferred)
• A genuine love of nature and comfort teaching outdoors in all seasons
• A grounded, spiritual awareness
• Experience guiding children in upper elementary grades
• Warmth, creativity, and excellent communication skills
What We Offer
• A supportive, soulful teaching community
• Small class sizes and meaningful relationships with families
• A chance to help shape a pioneering Waldorf-inspired hybrid program
• Very competitive pay
How to Apply
If this resonates in your heart, we invite you to apply. Please send:
1. A brief cover letter (email) sharing your teaching journey and your relationship to nature and Source
2. Your resume
Email materials to:
hello@sunriseschooloformondbeach.com (mailto:hello@sunriseschooloformondbeach.com) with subject line: Grade 4/5 Teacher Application