Vocational Culinary Instructor-Bonus Eligible

The Home for Little Wanderers is a well-established, compassionate organization dedicated to making a positive and lasting impact on the lives of vulnerable children and their families. Known for its commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, this organization provides comprehensive services and support to children presenting emotional impairments and other special needs, empowering them to achieve their fullest potential. As a leader in social services and education, The Home for Little Wanderers integrates innovative therapeutic and vocational programs to foster growth in emotional, psychological, and intellectual areas for the youth it serves.

This specific opportunity is for a Culinary Instructor within The COVE School, a specialized educational program that focuses on vocational training for special education students primarily presenting with emotional impairments. Reporting directly to the Principal and Vice Principal/Vocational Director, the Culinary Instructor plays a crucial role in coordinating and enhancing school-wide vocational programming, particularly in culinary arts, hospitality, and small business initiatives. The position is eligible for an up to $5,000 bonus and offers a competitive salary with a comprehensive benefits package. Employment is full-time and demands a collaborative approach, including working with job coaches, teaching assistants, and various members of the vocational and educational teams.

The role involves developing and implementing innovative vocational curricula designed for therapeutic class groupings, tailoring lessons to meet diverse academic levels and emotional needs of students. In addition to teaching culinary skills, the instructor is responsible for fostering computer literacy and entrepreneurship skills, essential for student growth and future workforce entry. The position requires active involvement in creating internship opportunities, overseeing on- and off-site hands-on learning experiences, and supporting individualized vocational plans in alignment with each student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals and transition plans. This ensures each student can gain meaningful skills while progressing academically and socially.

The Culinary Instructor must also maintain an up-to-date understanding of behavior management strategies and therapeutic interventions such as Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) and EQ2 training. They participate actively in crisis management procedures, ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment. Additionally, the position includes responsibilities outside traditional classroom settings, such as monitoring meal times, supervising halls, and chaperoning field trips, underscoring the multifaceted nature of the role. The Culinary Instructor is instrumental in building student portfolios and tracking progress toward certification completion, providing personalized coaching, and facilitating communication with multi-disciplinary treatment teams to optimize student outcomes.

The Home for Little Wanderers values professional growth; thus, this role offers extensive training opportunities and tuition reimbursement of up to $2,400 per fiscal year. The organization supports employees with health, vision, and dental insurance, retirement plans with employer matching, and various insurance benefits. The environment promotes a culture of inclusion and respect, making it an excellent fit for professionals passionate about vocational education, special education, and youth development. Candidates joining this role can expect to contribute to a nurturing academic environment dedicated to fostering permanent, positive change in the lives of children facing significant challenges.