Course Instructor | Horticulture Capstone

Teaching Opportunity

The School of Continuing Studies (SCS) is recruiting an instructor for Horticulture Capstone with industry and academic knowledge, teaching experience, and horticulture experience—specifically in the area of sustainable and climate-responsive horticulture—to facilitate an asynchronous online course in the Horticulture program at the University of Guelph. Based on research and evidence-based practice, the course content draws on industry and academic expertise within Horticulture.

Position Description

We are looking for an instructor to facilitate our Horticulture Capstone course in the Fall 2026 semester beginning September 14, 2026, and ending December 6, 2026.

Course topics include:

• Climate Change
• Plant Adaptation and Land Restoration
• Soil Health and Management
• Food Security
• Ethnobotany
• Seed Saving
• Capstone Project Development
  

We provide our students with an engaging, relevant learning experience where they can immediately apply the concepts learned in the course. As an instructor in the Horticulture program, you are required to facilitate the instruction and learning of the current course using the tools available on the course website: encouraging discussion, asking questions, providing support material, and interacting with students to deliver an engaging learning experience.

Course Format

Horticulture courses are non-degree credit courses. All courses are 12 weeks in length, delivered asynchronously through the University of Guelph’s online learning management system (D2L), and follow the semester timeline with courses beginning in September, January, and May. The courses are fully facilitated by an instructor, and all students begin and end the course together.

Instructor Responsibilities

With a systems and sustainability focus, you will:

• Lead students to apply advanced horticultural knowledge to emerging industry issues and to design and deliver a self‑directed capstone project aligned with professional goals
• Encourage student learning by creating a supportive online community
• Establish a presence in the online classroom and communicate effectively with students
• Share real world experiences and provide examples that demonstrate your expertise in the topic area and meet the needs of the learners currently taking the course
• Provide feedback to students by engaging in online discussions and answering questions
• Work from the existing course, complete a review, and provide revisions for the course outline, materials list, and course website when needed/requested
• Grade all assignments and quizzes following the rubric/grading criteria in the course outline and provide appropriate feedback on submitted work

Qualifications and Requirements

You have:

• Demonstrated expertise in sustainable and climate‑responsive horticulture—including soil health, plant adaptation, food security, and ecologically informed production and restoration practices
• A proven ability to mentor and guide self‑directed capstone projects, integrating interdisciplinary knowledge, applied research, and professional skill development aligned with student goals
• Remained up to date in your field and are knowledgeable of current resources and research
• Exceptional written communication skills—you can communicate effectively with students and are competent at using various communication tools
• Teaching experience in an online environment—you show a dedication to teaching and learning and you are committed to quality teaching
• Participated in an online course as a student—you have first-hand experience as a student in an online course
• A level of confidence with computer technology, and the ability to master a learning management system—you can and desire to learn the software required to be a successful online facilitator
• A commitment to meeting timelines—you can balance the competing priorities for your time and ensure they do not interfere with delivering the course
• Access to the internet and computer technology to participate in the course, including access to audio and video equipment and software—you have the equipment to successfully participate in and facilitate an online course

Compensation

The compensation range for this position is $4,000-$5,000 and is dependent upon a combination of industry and field-related expertise, and online teaching experience.

Please note this role is an independent contractor position.

To Apply

If you are interested in this position, please respond by sending a resume/CV with a cover letter that outlines your education and experience, how you meet the stated qualifications, and why you want to teach this online continuing education course by Monday, May 18, 2026.

Resumes must be submitted to:

Cynthia Eden, Manager, Program Development, School of Continuing Studies
Email: ceden@uoguelph.ca