Jesus D. Godinez
Program Coordinator
El Paso,Texas
Summary
Bilingual program coordinator and curriculum developer with 8+ years turning school-garden projects into region-wide learning experiences. Lead communications and logistics for 40 garden sites, draft and manage the grant narratives and budgets that fund them, and design Spanish/English resources that reach teachers, students, and families across three districts. Adept at translating data and community voices into clear reports, newsletters, and event messaging that mobilize volunteers and sustain multi-year funding. Known for self-directed project planning, collaborative leadership, and a deep commitment to equitable, culturally relevant education.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
2
2
Certifications
Work History
School Garden Program Coordinator
La Semilla Food Center
08.2019 - Current
- Acting Transition Manager (June-July 2025): directed a five-member Edible Education team for four weeks during the leadership transition; kept projects on schedule, and planned the program's fall calendar in collaboration with team members and the executive director.
- Lead liaison for 40 school gardens in the Paso Del Norte Region, delivering bilingual support on growing practices, irrigation repairs, and volunteer engagement to over 100 teachers and district staff each semester.
- Authored the school garden section and budget narrative for La Semilla’s annual PDNHF proposal ($1.15 M grant), and wrote mid- and end-year reports securing multi-year renewal.
- Designed and translated K-12 workbooks, planting guides, and recipe cards, reaching over 2,000 students and more than 100 educators every school year.
- Built a Google Suite tracking system, converting field data into concise monthly briefs used in internal and grant reports.
- Facilitated PD workshops for 50 to 60 educators per semester on garden-based pedagogy, outdoor classroom best practices, and irrigation basics.
- Trained staff members and AmeriCorps members on student engagement, food and harvesting safety, drip system installation and repair, and power tool safety, standardizing protocols across the program.
- Piloted and produced a monthly newsletter (Canva and Mailchimp) spotlighting program milestones, volunteer stories, grant opportunities, and local farmer and teacher features.
- Provide photos, quotes, and impact metrics to the Storytelling department for newsletters, grant narratives, and social posts.
Grant Reviewer
Whole Kids Foundation
03.2022 - 06.2025
- Evaluated over 300 school garden and nutrition education proposals using WKF’s scoring rubric. Ensured each application met mission and compliance criteria.
- Provided concise, actionable feedback (in English and Spanish) to help applicants strengthen project design, budgets, and evaluation plans.
- Flagged high-impact, innovative projects, prioritizing underserved communities for funding panel consideration.
Fellow
Environmental Education New Mexico
07.2021 - 08.2022
- Selected for a statewide fellowship focused on outdoor learning equity. Met monthly with a cohort of educators, community organizers, and tribal partners to share best practices.
- Completed a 40-hour “Transformational Leadership for Environmental Justice” training covering facilitation, cultural responsiveness, and policy advocacy.
- Co-developed draft K-12 lesson modules and resource toolkits that embed New Mexico science standards with land-based learning and cultural perspective.
FoodCorps Service Member
FoodCorps
08.2017 - 07.2019
- Helped the School Garden Coordinator build new school gardens, adding kid-friendly infrastructure (seating circles, chalkboards, and bilingual learning signs).
- Logged over 200 hours of hands-on garden and cooking lessons across three different school districts. Recipes and activities were culturally relevant, and often taught in Spanish, with bilingual take-home materials.
Student Research Assistant
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
10.2016 - 06.2017
- Conducted greenhouse trials and logged plant health metrics, and distilled technical findings into concise notes for the research team.
Intern
New Mexico Environmental Department
05.2016 - 08.2016
- Helped draft the region’s Exceptional Event report to the EPA, translating sensor data on PM 2.5, PM 10, and ozone into a clear, compliant narrative. Performed field checks on monitoring stations.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Science
The University of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX05-2017
Skills
- Bilingual writing and translation (Spanish/English)
- Strategic communications and narrative development
- Grant writing and budget narrative preparation
- Content design and email marketing (Canva, Mailchimp)
- Project planning and cross team coordination
- Data tracking, metrics reporting and analysis
- Community and stakeholder engagement
- Volunteer and event coordination
- Curriculum and resources development (K-12, community)
- Google Workspace and Microsoft Office proficiency
Certification
Rainwater Harvesting Practitioner. Watershed Management Group.
Timeline
Seeds of Safety, Safe Harvesting and Food Safety. Farm Fresh / La Semilla Food Center.
02-2025
Rainwater Harvesting Practitioner. Watershed Management Group.
03-2023
Grant Reviewer
Whole Kids Foundation
03.2022 - 06.2025
Fellow
Environmental Education New Mexico
07.2021 - 08.2022
School Garden Program Coordinator
La Semilla Food Center
08.2019 - Current
FoodCorps Service Member
FoodCorps
08.2017 - 07.2019
Student Research Assistant
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
10.2016 - 06.2017
Intern
New Mexico Environmental Department
05.2016 - 08.2016
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Science
The University of Texas At El Paso
Similar Profiles
Nadeem AZHAR HUSSAIN SHAHNadeem AZHAR HUSSAIN SHAH
OIC, Managing Head at La' VIOLETTE Food CenterOIC, Managing Head at La' VIOLETTE Food Center
Vivian Paulette MaciasVivian Paulette Macias
Waitress Trainee at SemillaWaitress Trainee at Semilla
Yeni MoralesYeni Morales
Secretary's Assistant at Empresa SemillaSecretary's Assistant at Empresa Semilla
Nicolas DuenasNicolas Duenas
Assembler at Eaton CorporationAssembler at Eaton Corporation
Nathan BlueNathan Blue
Restaurant Co-Owner at Dos Amigos Mexican RestaurantRestaurant Co-Owner at Dos Amigos Mexican Restaurant