School Garden Teacher Training Application Instructions & FAQs
2011 School Garden Teacher Training
& Support Program
Click here to download the instructions for application and FAQs pdf.
Dear School Garden Program Applicant,
You are invited to apply to participate in the School Garden Teacher Training & Support Program at Occidental Arts and Ecology Center (OAEC). More information including a full agenda, a list of things to bring, and directions to OAEC will be sent to you upon acceptance into the program.
The application is intended to give us a picture of your school and garden project so that we can best support you. Please read the FAQs, check our website www.oaec.org, and if you have further questions, please feel free to contact us at (707) 874-1557, ext. 202 or via email at lisa@oaec.org.
HOW TO APPLY:
APPLICATION FOR THE 2011 SEASON WILL BE POSTED IN JANUARY 2011.
Submit application by email (preferred) or by fax.
Include full contact information for each participant, including zip code and telephone number, which are valid after June 1st. Your acceptance packet will be sent by mail so please give your complete mailing address. Please do not use your school’s address for participant contact information.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR PARTICIPATION:
In order to create and sustain a successful school garden project, a wide base of support and involvement is needed from your school’s community, including the principal, teachers, facilities managers and parents. OAEC’s selection of schools will be based on a school’s interest, commitment and ability to provide a nurturing environment for a garden.
Your school’s acceptance to our program, in part, is based on the commitment of all the participants to attend the entire five-day session, and to work with OAEC for the full length of the program.
Participation in the program requires:
- A garden project team/committee made up of two or more people*.
- All individuals from the school garden team attending the entire session together.
- A location for a garden.
- Preliminary support from your principal and school board.
- A commitment to working with OAEC for the full length of the project.
* If you wish to apply as an individual, please see the FAQs for more info.
COST:
Because of grant support we receive for the Program, the inclusive fee is $500 per participant. This covers food, lodging, materials, instruction, follow up support and training, and staff costs. The program is already deeply discounted, and we cannot offer additional scholarships. Full payment is due two weeks before the start of each session. OAEC accepts purchase orders and checks. We are happy to provide an invoice to your school or other entity upon request.
DEPOSIT:
Upon acceptance to the program, a non-refundable deposit of $250 per team will reserve space for your team.
ACADEMIC CREDIT:
Through Sonoma State University, participants can receive 3.5 Continuing Education Units, or 2 units of Academic Credit. If you wish to receive credits, please bring a separate check or credit card. Current fees are $55 for the CEUs, and $110 for Academic Credits. To receive these units, participants must attend all five days of the session and the three evening programs.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a school garden team?
A team needs to be a minimum of two people. Teams can consist of any combination of teachers, principals, garden coordinators, other school staff, parents or volunteers. Teachers are especially encouraged to attend. We generally do not accept individual applicants or people that do not have an ongoing relationship with a specific school(s). All team members must attend the same week. If you have a pressing reason that you cannot attend any part of the course, please contact us in advance.
Can I apply as an individual without a team?
If you are working with multiple schools, or have an ongoing relationship with a non-profit or other group that supports school garden programs, you may be a good fit for our program. Individuals who think they might qualify are encouraged to contact us before submitting an application.
Do I have to sleep at OAEC?
No, however we strongly recommend that you do stay on site. Our program schedule is full, and sessions start on time. We begin the daily program at 9:00 a.m. after breakfast and harvesting, and the evening sessions, which are an integral part of the course, end at 8:30 p.m.. Additionally, the evening and early morning is your free time to enjoy the gardens, participate in harvest, swim in the pond, take a hot tub, and informally chat and network with other participants and stay connected to your team.
Can I camp on the site?
Yes, camping is available for participants in the school garden program who would like to bring their own gear. Some participants prefer camping for more privacy or for other reasons. A full bathhouse is readily accessible. Please indicate on the application if you wish to camp.
Will you consider schools not in Sonoma County?
Yes. Most of the schools that participate in our training are located in the Greater Bay Area, but schools in other areas have attended and are encouraged to apply.
What are the payment options for the course?
Schools often arrange to make direct payment to OAEC for this professional development. Sometimes a PTA, or a neighborhood non-profit in partnership with a school garden project pays all or part of the costs for the team. We will provide an invoice to your school or other entity upon request. Please note that a non-refundable deposit of $250 per team is required to hold your space.
What follow up support after the summer training will our school receive?
The Program provides 18 months of follow up support for your project. Included are 2 one-day skills workshops offered in the spring at OAEC, site visit(s) to your school as requested, and phone and email consultation and referrals.
Can our school reapply if we were previously put on the waiting list?
If your school applied previously and would like to reapply, please contact us so we may retrieve your application from the waiting list and make the necessary changes, such as names of people on your team. If there have been substantial changes in your circumstances, we may request a new application for this year.
Can a school repeat the training?
We are happy to train new people from schools that sent a team to a prior training, however no one can repeat the training. Because there is always turnover and evolution in garden programs, we welcome applications from new teams, or from new additions to an existing team.