Elementary Teacher for K-1

Are you ready to embrace a holistic teaching approach? We're seeking an elementary teacher who loves guiding children through the kindergarten to first-grade transition. This role involves teaching kindergarten for the 2024-2025 school year and continuing with the same group into first grade for the 2025-2026 school year.

Our school embraces the Reggio Emilia philosophy at Pip and Pickles Farm with labs, studios, and the exploratorium. We also embody the Scandinavian education spirit on our 10-acre campus, a classroom that includes forests, gardens, ponds, and fields. Learning happens both indoors and outdoors through experiential opportunities. We foster an emergent curriculum, where teachers and students collaborate as co-researchers, with each group enjoying autonomy on their learning journey and chances to collaborate on projects.

Imagine starting your day with your ten students in a community that values each member, surrounded by nature. Imagine experiencing year-round weather patterns, graphing data from our weather station, and studying what it means to salamanders, birds, deer, groundhogs, goats, plants and insects. Alongside immersing in nature, you'll have the time to read together and expand your understanding of world cultures that will certainly be fueling further projects.

You'll have the freedom to employ various innovative teaching methods while meeting Tennessee standards. From games and scientific inquiry to tools like the Science of Reading, Wild Learning curriculum, Orton-Gillingham phonemic awareness, Secret Stories, Handwriting Without Tears, and Montessori materials, you'll provide a well-rounded education for each student to thrive.

If you're passionate about nurturing young minds, fostering curiosity, and merging nature with education, join us in creating a community where every child thrives on their educational journey.

Qualifications required:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in early childhood education (K-2) or elementary education.
• Minimum of one year of experience teaching Kindergarten or first grade.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, including coordination with other grade-level teachers and farm educators.
• Proficiency in project-based teaching, demonstrating examples of past projects and a strong passion for this approach.
• Familiarity with the Reggio Emilia approach to education.
• Willingness and capability to transfer skills and experiences from indoor classroom environments to outdoor settings.
• Competence in addressing Tennessee Standards and ensuring academic progress for students.
• Dedication to fostering a sense of community and healthy relationship development among all participants.
• Physical stamina for outdoor activities such as hiking on uneven terrain and tolerance for insect bites and ticks, coupled with a genuine love for wildlife.
• Interest in gardening and enthusiasm for integrating animals like goats, chickens, and native species into the curriculum through project-based learning.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Experience in documenting learning through photographs and written reflections (e.g., albums, portfolios, books).
• Excellent organizational abilities.
• A commitment to promoting a naturalistic lifestyle and advocating for environmental conservation at both local and global levels.

Details:

• Yearly renewable position from July 29th 2024 to July 25th 2025. Summers are spent with camp duties, professional development, teacher training, and in-service days.
• Benefits:
• Paid planning time weekly
• Paid time off: 28 days
• Paid In-Service days: 22 days
• Paid personal time: 48 hours
• Paid sick time: 40 hours
• Monthly bonus of $200 to be applied to your choice of tuition, health care, or IRA.
• Cancer insurance or Short Term Disability insurance.
• Worker’s Compensation Insurance.
• Accident at work medical coverage.
• Half price summer camps for your children.
• Schedule: 8am to 4pm
• Living in Nashville or the surrounding area to reliably commute to school on time, or planning to relocate before starting work is required.

Applications:

Our interview process is comprehensive and designed to ensure the best fit for our teaching team. Here's what you need to know:

Step 1: Submit your resume along with a cover letter. Your cover letter should address the following points:

• Share your teaching philosophy.
• Highlight a few projects that you have conducted with students.
• Discuss your understanding of the Reggio educational approach.
• Highlight your hobbies and passions.
• Showcase your abilities and skills.
• Describe your relationship with the outdoors.
• Explain what your ideal teaching position entails.
• Outline your short and long-term career goals.

Step 2: Selected candidates will be invited for an in-person interview to meet with the directors and take a tour of the campus.

Step 3: A selection will be made for candidates to come for a discovery Day Interview. During this day, you'll have the opportunity to teach alongside our educators, experiencing the role of a co-teacher. This step allows us to assess your teaching style and compatibility with our educational environment.

Additionally, please note that certification in adult/child/infant first aid and CPR is required (or willingness to obtain training). Furthermore, upon receiving an offer, candidates must undergo an FBI background and criminal check, as well as provide a health report.

We appreciate your interest in joining our team and look forward to reviewing your application.