Gilroy Unified School District

7810 Arroyo Circle

Gilroy, CA 95020

Position Title:   High School Agriculture w/FFA program

Under the direct supervision of the Principal and/or Assistant Principal, the Agriculture Teacher will provide instruction in the specific aspects of agricultural science.

Classification:  Certificated

Salary Level:  Teacher Salary Schedule

Credential Required:  Single Subject – Agriculture w/CLAD

Job Duties

Curriculum Responsibilities:   Utilize the courses of study adopted by the Board of Education.

The job of agricultural science teacher requires all the basic abilities of a teacher:

• the specialization in the content of his or her area of activity
• extensive knowledge on matters related to his or her area of activity
• instructional skills and skills in class management
• knowledge of teaching techniques and learning strategies
• critical thinking and active listening
• ability to facilitate discussion
• to motivate, to moderate and to mentor the students, and also ability to identify individual characteristics and adapt to various group dynamics, including the capacity to straighten out conflict

Some of the more specific abilities of an agricultural science teacher are: being able to prepare the lectures on different subjects of agriculture sciences and also the syllabi, the papers and the assignments for the students; being able to plan class work with the students, but also laboratory work and learning field trips. He or she must have the capacity to evaluate and monitor the students' development, to supervise their work in the class, laboratory or on field and to advise them in academic matters and vocational pursuits. As any other teacher, an agricultural sciences teacher must keep his knowledge and instruction up to date with the developments in his or her area of activity and to participate at professional conferences, discussion tables and scientific communities. There is the need of research, data compiling and publication of professional literature in journals or electronic media.

The knowledge of an agricultural science teacher covers not only specific agricultural sciences, but also other basic subject matters: obviously a good knowledge of the structure and content of the language in use, and of the possible technical support and equipment designed for class learning, such as computers and other electronics, but also specific instruments, such as the microscope. Knowledge in biology is very important, starting with the cell structure and functions and ending with the interdependencies between various organisms, either vegetal or animal, and the interactions between them and the environment. Chemistry is important as well, knowledge in the composition and properties of different substances, the chemical processes and the means to contain hazardous situations in laboratory safety plan, chemical process technique and disposal methods.

Mathematics, communications, and media are other subject matters that could be useful to the agricultural sciences teacher, and last but not least, knowledge in food production including the professional equipment used in agricultural production: planting and harvesting of both animal and plant origin food products.

Position Title:   High School Agriculture w/FFA program (cont.) page 2

In conclusion, the activity of an agricultural sciences teacher is a social activity that involves constant contact with people and enhanced abilities of communication and human service. An investigative activity refers to working with ideas, facts and solving of problems. In addition, a realistic activity includes practical work with plants and animals and the specific agricultural tools. 

Essential Job Requirements – Qualifications

 Incorporated within one or more of the previously mentioned performance responsibilities, which are essential functions of this job description, are the following essential physical, mental and environmental requirements (reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the

essential job functions):

 Physical:

a. Ability to push, pull, and transport instructional and/or presentation materials.

b. Ability to communicate so others will be able to clearly understand a normal conversation

c. Ability to sit, stand and circulate for extended periods of time.

d. Ability to lift/carry/push/pull up to twenty-five (25) lbs. on a regular basis and up to forty (40) lbs. occasionally.

e. Ability to understand speech at normal levels.

f. Ability to bend, twist, stoop, kneel and reach in all directions.

i. Ability to follow and comply with all safety procedures and policies relative to

maintaining a safe work environment

Mental:

a. Ability to organize and coordinate schedules

b. Ability to analyze and interpret data

c. Problem solving

                d. Ability to effectively manage coinciding multiple tasks and responsibilities

e. Ability to communicate with the public

f. Ability to read, analyze and interpret printed matter and computer screens

g. Ability to create written communication so others will be able to clearly understand

the written communication

h. Ability to communicate so others will be able to clearly understand a normal

conversation

i. Ability to understand speech at normal levels

 Environment:

a. Indoor – frequently

b. Outdoor – frequently

c. Ability to work in a laboratory setting, desk and in meetings of various configurations