Agriculture Teacher

POSITION TITLE - Agriculture Teacher

POSITION OVERVIEW

Working from within one of our Family Service Centers in Pennsylvania, Commonwealth Charter Academy’s (CCA) Agriculture teacher will play a vital role in delivering agricultural education, facilitating FFA activities, and inspiring students to explore and pursue careers in agriculture.  This role will provide leadership in coordinating FFA events, supervising student projects, and preparing students for FFA competitions.  The position is responsible for ensuring students are prepared for career and post-secondary success in agricultural fields. 

CCA’s Teachers are responsible for providing virtual instruction to CCA learners and handling all other related duties of a full-time content teacher.  Communication, instruction, and engagement efforts are conducted via proprietary CCA systems and tools with instruction being provided to learners both synchronously and asynchronously.  Teachers are expected to perform homeroom duties, engagement and wellness check-ins, complete variants, and provide one-on-one support to learners for successful outcomes.  CCA teachers are required to attend Back-to-School sessions, meetings with learners/families/administrators, participate in Outreach and Field Trip events, and support State Testing activities. 

The objective for all CCA teachers is to align and support the mission, vision, and values of CCA, to measure efforts by aligning with CCA’s Five-Way Test, and to ensure that each child successfully completes his/her instructional program.  CCA instructional positions will receive new hire orientation and onboarding by reporting full-time in office for the first 12 weeks (60 school days) of employment.  Upon successful completion of orientation, instructional staff may be permitted to switch to a hybrid (in-office/work from PA-based home location) schedule with supervisory approval.  

In order to be successful in any role at CCA, employee must carry out all responsibilities in such a way that demonstrates and models the values of CCA, abides by all standards and behaves in a professional and engaged manner at all times. 

1. Curriculum and Instruction

• Deliver engaging and standards-aligned instruction in courses such as Introduction to Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources; Animal Science; Plant Science; Animal Health and Veterinary Science; and Natural Resources and Ecology.
• Incorporate project-based learning and relevant industry practices into the curriculum and instruction.
• Implement and maintain positive classroom management strategies that foster a respectful, inclusive, and productive learning environment.
• Assess student performance, track progress, and provide timely constructive feedback to enhance student learning and increase student achievement.
• Stay informed about current trends in agriculture and education, actively seeking out the best instructional practices, and sharing innovative teaching strategies to enhance student learning.

1. FFA and Student Leadership

• Serve as the FFA Advisor integrating FFA into daily instruction.
• Supervise student participation in Leadership Development Events (LDEs), Career Development Events (CDEs), Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs), leadership conferences, fairs, and other events.
• Coordinate and facilitate FFA meetings, events, and competitions, ensuring compliance with FFA guidelines and regulations.
• Oversee all FFA-related documentation including rosters, activity plans, reports, and travel arrangements.
• Maintain a year-round FFA program, including summer responsibilities such as student supervision, community engagement, and program development.

1. Industry and Community Engagement

• Work closely with agriculture industry professionals, post-secondary partners, and advisory committees to align instruction with workforce expectations.
• Facilitate student attainment of industry-recognized credentials (IRCs).
• Encourage student participation in work-based learning opportunities.
• Build partnerships with local businesses and community organizations to provide students with internship and work-based learning opportunities.

Competencies

1. Flexibility to adapt teaching methods and strategies to meet the diverse needs and learning styles of students
2. Passion for agricultural education and commitment to preparing students for successful careers in agriculture
3. Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with students, fostering their personal and professional growth
4. Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, community, and industry partners
5. Must be able to work full time at a CCA Family Service Center
6. Demonstrated strength in technology skills (especially with Microsoft OS and MS Office programs)
7. Ability to provide instruction using CCA technological platforms in an engaging manner with demonstrated strong presentation skills
8. Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
9. Customer focused approach with a high degree of flexibility
10. Demonstrated ability to work well in fast paced and ever-changing environment
11. Team player track record
12. Willingness to travel on occasion for community outreach, field trips, and state testing events (may require occasional overnight travel)
13. Ability to work occasional evening hours, as needed to support some families

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture education or a related field

• A valid Pennsylvania state agriculture education certification
• Strong knowledge of agriculture, including plant science, animal science, and natural resource management
• Experience in FFA, leadership development, and coordinating FFA activities

 Preferred Education and Experience

• 2 years of relevant work experience
• Experience in FFA, leadership development, and coordinating FFA activities.

Work Environment
This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
 
Physical Demands
This is largely a sedentary role. Requires the ability to lift, squat, sit, bend or stand as necessary.  Ability to travel to other sites/locations as needed.
 
Position Type

• Full-time
• Exempt
• Salary

Travel

• Travel will be required for this position. 

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• Valid PA Driver's License
• Appropriate Automobile Insurance Coverage
• Must be able to commute to a Family Service Center regardless of commute complexity.
• Candidates must reside within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 

Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
 
Commonwealth Charter Academy is an equal opportunity employment, educational and service organization.