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.
OJCP Funding & Eligibility
This position is funded through the Ontario Job Creation Partnerships (OJCP) program. To be eligible for this opportunity, you must meet the following requirements:
Be an Ontario resident
Currently unemployed or working less than 20 hours per week
Actively seeking full-time employment
Meet ONE of the following criteria:
Currently receiving EI benefits, OR
Received EI benefits within the previous 60 months, OR
Has paid EI premiums (deductions taken off your pay stub) in at least 3 of the last 10 years
Position Overview
Build school board partnerships and deliver hands-on STEM programming to expand GrowBuildLearn's Mars Farmer Academy across Ontario. This outreach-focused role combines relationship building, program delivery, and consultative sales, working directly with school administrators, educators, and students to bring sustainable agriculture education into classrooms.
This role is perfect for educators with entrepreneurial skills, former teachers interested in educational sales, or business development professionals passionate about education and environmental sustainability who want to drive institutional partnerships and program adoption.
Key Responsibilities
School Board Partnerships & Business Development (30%)
Develop and maintain relationships with school boards across Ontario (Catholic and public boards)
Conduct needs assessments and discovery meetings with school administrators
Present GBL's value proposition to principals, superintendents, and curriculum coordinators
Navigate school board approval processes, procurement requirements, and budget cycles
Represent GBL at EcoSchools Ontario events, educational conferences, and networking opportunities
Build partnerships with curriculum consultants, STEM coordinators, and environmental education leads
Qualify leads and identify schools aligned with GBL's mission and program capacity
Negotiate program packages and secure contracts with schools and boards
Follow up with decision-makers through strategic touchpoints to advance partnerships
Develop skills and become comfortable with outreach strategies through work on other Social Impact Enterprises accounts
Maintain detailed CRM records and manage partnership development pipeline
Track sales metrics, conversion rates, and partnership progress
Collaborate with marketing team on school-focused campaigns and collateral
School Program Delivery & Demonstrations (30%)
Deliver Mars Farmer Academy immersive experiences (90-minute Grade 3 programs, extended Grade 7-8 programs)
Facilitate hands-on STEM lessons that demonstrate curriculum value to administrators and teachers
Lead student "Launch Team" training to create peer-to-peer leadership models
Conduct demonstration lessons for school administrators considering program adoption
Guide harvest celebrations and connect food production to health and nutrition education
Adapt programming for diverse learning needs including neurodivergent students
Provide school site visits that showcase program effectiveness
Collect testimonials and success stories from participating schools
Curriculum Development & Alignment (20%)
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
Teacher Support & Professional Development (20%)
Deliver teacher professional development workshops on Mars Farmer Academy implementation
Provide onboarding and training for teachers adopting the program
Offer ongoing support and troubleshooting for participating schools
Model effective instructional strategies for hands-on STEM education
Gather teacher feedback to inform program improvements
Create champions among teachers who can advocate for program expansion
Support teachers in integrating hydroponic systems into daily instruction