Assistant Nature Preschool Teacher

Hours: M-F 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM, plus 2 additional hours per week of planning time as a teaching team on Thursdays from 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM (let us know if you have any conflicts with this schedule). Planning days will include a paid break, totaling 32.5 paid hours per week. 

Tentative Dates of Employment: The position is scheduled to begin on April 8th, 2024, and conclude on June 28th, 2024. If both the employee and Lichen Early Learning agree that it is a good fit, this teaching position may continue for the following school year. A decision regarding this potential offer will be made around May 15th, 2024. If offered, the position for the 2024-2025 school year would commence on August 19th and end on June 27th, with an unpaid summer break from July to mid-August.

Roles & Responsibilities: 

• Assist teaching team in guiding children through a daily routine while building positive relationships, scaffolding their learning, and facilitating social-emotional growth. 
• Support students through common challenges, including but not limited to: emotional regulation, communication, peer problem solving skills, toileting needs, etc.
• Actively contribute to risk management in an outdoor preschool setting; being watchful and responsive to weather, unsafe student behaviors, hazardous plants and animals, and additional safety concerns.  
• Collaborate with the teaching team on curriculum planning, reflecting on teaching practice, and goal-setting for students and as a teaching team. This will occur during the additional 2 hours of paid planning time per week, and informally each day during set up and clean up.
• Participate in training, family orientation night, and one-on-one family visits for one week (prior to the start of the school year). 
• Play, explore, laugh, and learn alongside children in nature, in all weather, year round! 
• Become an integral member of a 4 person teaching team who trust, challenge, and communicate with one another.
• Provide additional support in family communication as needed (note: this will primarily be the lead teacher’s role). 

Qualifications:

• Must pass a background check before interacting with the students
• CPR & First Aid training (completed before first teaching day) 
• Previous experience working with 3-5 year olds preferred
• Strong communication, collaboration, and problem solving skills
• Brings patience, joy, and curiosity in working with children
• Ability and desire to work outdoors for 6 hours a day, 5 days a week, 5 days a week- rain, cold, wind, snow, or shine!
  • As we are outside for long periods of time in all weather, outdoor gear is a must to stay warm and dry! Please let us know if this is a barrier for you. Depending on funding, we may be able to offer a small stipend to help get you set up with good, quality gear.
• We are looking for folks who are curious and passionate about:
  • Anti-racist and anti-bias teaching
  • Growing and learning as an educator
  • Spending time in nature 

Since we are located outside of the city, you will need your own form of transportation to get to and from the site. (Note: Biking is possible, but on the heavily trafficked county roads required to get here, a vehicle is a safer option.)

About Us: At Lichen Early Learning, our core values are community, equity, and joy. Our purpose is to cultivate an environment where children, families, and community are celebrated and valued through a holistic, nature-based learning experience. To learn more, visit our website at lichenearlylearning.org

To Apply: Please email your resume, references, and letter of interest to admin@lichenearlylearning.org We will review applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled. 

Non-Discrimination Policy: At Lichen Early Learning, we welcome all students and families, and work everyday to cultivate an inclusive, welcoming space that is emotionally and physically safe. When recruiting and admitting students or hiring staff, we will not discriminate on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion, color, ethnic origin, or physical or developmental disability.