The BC Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) is seeking ten members to participate as a BCTF representatives to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food’s development team for their BC Agriculture and Food Systems Teaching and Learning Stories project.

The Ministry is looking for teachers from all learning areas of the curriculum with current classroom experience, and has indicated that the development team will benefit from any of the following:

• teaching experience in more than one learning area is considered an asset
• agriculture/food studies teachers or teachers with an agriculture/food studies educational background

• teachers with previous experience in working on the Ministry of Education's BC Learning Pathways Development Team.

BCTF members selected will represent the BCTF as follows:

Context:

Local food literacy is understanding and valuing local food—how it's grown, processed, shared, and its impact on society and the environment. It means building a positive connection with local food, making informed choices to support local food systems, and helping ensure food security. 

To enhance local food literacy among students, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food is aiming to develop a series of Teaching and Learning Stories inspired by those previously developed by the Ministry of Education and Child Care. These materials will be designed to help teachers incorporate agriculture and food systems concepts into their lessons, providing students with a deeper understanding of and connection to BC’s food landscape.

Project:

This project aims to gather a team of teachers (development team) to create Teaching and Learning Stories that focus on unbiased representations of all types of agriculture and food systems in BC. The team would meet once for an orientation and then each teacher will create one teaching and learning story in their respective grade level and subject area.  These stories will empower other teachers across the province to integrate BC agriculture and food systems concepts into the curricular competencies across all areas of learning.

The resources will serve as practical guides for educators, offering strategies to design lessons, activities, and assessments that intentionally foster cross-curricular agriculture and local food literacy. They will align with the K–12 curriculum's learning standards, supporting educators in creating meaningful, place-based learning experiences.

By connecting students to the people, processes, and systems shaping agriculture and food in BC, these resources will uphold the Curriculum’s emphasis on critical thinking, communication, and social responsibility. The goal is to inspire students to engage deeply with local food systems while fostering an appreciation for their impact on society and the environment.

Commitment

The Development Team will meet once virtually in mid-February 2025 for an orientation outside of teaching hours. After this initial meeting, each teacher member will create one Teaching and Learning Story in their respective grade level and subject area by March 24, 2025.

Compensation

Participating teachers will receive $325 for each 7 hours of work done outside of district-contracted hours. 

Term of Appointment

Mid February, 2025 to end of March, 2025.

Selection criteria

• active BCTF membership status
• awareness of the role and responsibilities of representing the BCTF and the teaching profession
• ability to work collaboratively in a co-constructive team environment and meet deadlines
• balance of diversity—gender, Aboriginal, regional representation, etc., will be sought
• current K–12 classroom experience.

To apply:

Complete the appropriate CV form here.
Email your application to applications@bctf.ca

Direct enquiries to:

Grahame Rainey, B.C. Teachers’ Federation, government-liaison@bctf.ca
604-871-1845 or 1-800-663-9163, local 1845

Deadline for application: Friday, January 31, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
(Late applications will not be accepted)