Edible Schoolyard NYC Cooking Class Support Volunteer Program
Edible Schoolyard NYC’s mission is to cultivate healthy students and school communities through edible education. We do this by leading hands-on cooking and gardening programs in NYC public schools; supporting educators to implement food education in their classrooms; and advocating for long-term, sustainable changes for a better future for New York City.
Volunteer Position Description
This Cooking Class Volunteer position is a weekly commitment at one of ESYNYC’s school sites in the South Bronx, East Harlem, or Brooklyn. Please note that all volunteer shifts take place strictly Monday through Friday during the school day, typically between 8am and 3pm. Working under the supervision of the site’s Garden/Kitchen Teacher and Program Manager, volunteers will help with lesson prep and cleanup, co-teaching, positive behavior modeling, and classroom support. This position provides a unique opportunity for those passionate about food education and working with children to gain hands-on experience in an educational cooking classroom in a supportive and collaborative environment.
We are especially looking for volunteers who can commit consistently throughout the late fall and early winter, ideally at least up to the holiday break in late December. All volunteer positions are during weekdays and follow the school day schedule, typically during normal business hours. Opportunities are available across various school sites, providing flexibility based on location and schedule.
Responsibilities:
- Assist with lesson preparation and basic food preparation for cooking classes.
- Support students during cooking activities by modeling positive behavior and assisting with tasks.
- Help set up and clean up cooking classrooms, including dishwashing and organizing teaching supplies.
- Collaborate with the Garden/Kitchen teacher to ensure lessons run smoothly and provide the best experience for students.
- Co-teach cooking lessons, helping students explore healthy ingredients and cooking techniques.
Qualifications and Expectations:
- Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.
- A love for food, cooking, and supporting young learners.
- Comfort with working in a busy, active classroom environment.
- Previous experience working with children is preferred but not required.
- Ability to commit to a consistent weekly schedule.
- Volunteers must be punctual, reliable, and willing to work as part of a team.
- Volunteers must be fingerprinted and pass a background check with the Department of Education, which ESYNYC will cover the cost of.