Job Announcements

Nature Preschool Teacher

Part-time - Regular 16 hours OR up to 36 hours per week 

Starting September 3 2024 

Salary Range: $24.00 to $30.00 Hourly (depending on education and experience)

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About Our Forest School

We were founded in 2020 by Lacey Hemming and have just recently opened a 2nd sister school, Little Bees Forest School, owned by Bri Ramsey. Our school offers a play based learning environment in an outdoor setting. We focus on child-led free and open ended exploration where imagination and wonder can thrive. Play is the work of the child and our school provides a space for children to foster discoveries in science, math, literacy and art. We utilize best practices in early childhood education, Waldorf-inspired curriculum, and a child-led teaching environment. As a multi-age (ages 3-5) program, students will have the ability to both stretch themselves and become leaders to those younger than them. As an outdoor program, students will learn how to navigate the world confidently, gain essential creative problem solving skills, and develop a deep and abiding connection to nature. 

 

About This Position

We are located in residential neighborhoods where we have access to many outdoor parks and forests.

Candidates for this position must possess a love of nature and teaching outdoors with children ranging in age from 3 to 5 years. This is a part-time school-year position (September through May), with an option for summer hours depending on summer camp schedules. 

The nature preschool assistant teacher is 1 of 2 early childhood educators of the co-teaching team.  They hold responsibility for assisting in preschool management of 8 students, managing curriculum development, implementation, and family communications for students. Preschool assistant teacher candidates must possess a deep respect for young children and families, a passion for teaching young minds, and a strong desire to foster a connection between children and nature, promoting outdoor learning. They will assist in planning daily multi-sensory, play and nature-based, anti-bias, emergent and developmentally appropriate curriculum, incorporating a variety of hands-on experiences. The assistant teacher maintains a warm, professional relationship with children, their parents and caregivers.

Assistant teachers must be ok with being outside in extreme weather conditions for 2+ hours of their work day. 

Application Instructions
Please submit a resume, cover letter, and three references to abbcak@gmail.com.

Responsibilities

• Provide a physically and emotionally safe environment for young children both indoors and outdoors.  

• Maintain clear communication with co-teachers and collaborate on teaching within the faculty team.  

• Responsible for emotional and physical health and safety of students and completing accident reports/injury forms as needed as well as medication logs. 

• Maintain the physical environment by contributing to school space housekeeping tasks as needed.

• Enhance the physical space by thoughtfully placing child-initiated art, emergent language poems, emergent math charts and graphs, photographs of nature, students/families in class community, murals and other learning centers that reflect a nature-based curriculum. 

Education

• Assist in the preparation and presentation of nature-based, multi-sensory, integrated, anti-bias and emergent curriculum for multi-age groups (3-5 years) of children in collaboration with co-teaching faculty. 

• Understand early childhood development and manage reasonable expectations for young children.  

• Works with teacher colleagues to develop a nature-based curriculum that enhances the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive growth of young children. 

• Serve as a resource for parents/caregivers, families, and faculty. 

      

Qualifications

Research has shown that people of color and women are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t believe they meet every one of the qualifications described in a job description. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our described qualifications or you have a less traditional background. 

Some qualifications we are looking for:

• Associates Degree of Applied Sciences in Early Childhood Development or a Bachelor's Degree. Also candidates currently enrolled in a degree program with an emphasis in early child education, outdoor education, or  k-12 education.

• At least 2 years of experience caring for or teaching young children.

• Excellent writing and communication skills and ability to work cooperatively and independently.

• Interest and/or experience in nature-based, emergent, and anti-bias teaching in early childhood education. 

• Ability to pass a background records check 

• Compensation, Benefits and Perks

This position’s pay range is $24.00 to $30.00 per hour; actual salary will reflect level of experience and qualifications relative to position requirements. 

Benefits include paid holidays, 8 days of paid leave.. We highly encourage parents to apply as their child may attend with a discounted tuition rate. 

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Work Schedule

September through May, Monday through Thursday, 9:00AM- 1:00PM with More hours possible. Including a schedule 9:00AM to 4:30PM if more hours are desired. (this schedule includes our after-school program at Scenic Park Elementary) 

Summer hours will be dependent on our summer camp schedule. 

Other Requirements
Employees must successfully complete a CPR and First Aid Training, preferably wilderness first aid.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

 

Contact Info:
Apple Blossoms Forest School
Lacey Hemming
abbcak@gmail.com
541-760-1604