Fiddleheads Forest School Lead Teacher

Seattle Botanic Gardens Education Program Mission

Provide meaningful educational experiences that enrich participants’ connections with plants and the natural world.

Purpose of Position

This position will serve as the Lead Teacher in the Fiddleheads Forest School. This position reports directly to the Fiddleheads Head of School.

Teachers at Fiddleheads act as guides, helping children to cultivate senses that are attuned to the affordances of their surroundings during a developmentally crucial time. Daily observation and experimentation on an individual and group level foster a love of science as well as social and emotional development. By providing structure in the environment, teachers encourage children to guide their own learning experience in a way that fosters the development of responsibility, independence, and executive functioning skills in order to create a strong foundation for future growth.

This position is responsible for ensuring the health and safety of students; delivering appropriate lessons and activities that support students’ social, emotional, and physical growth; modeling a healthy relationship with and curiosity for the natural world; maintaining teaching supplies and supporting materials in an organized and efficient manner, internal and external communication to keep families and other Fiddleheads staff well-informed, and participating in occasional community-building events and activities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and teach culturally responsive, place-based curriculum, lesson plans, and activities that support the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development of children ages 3–6 in a half-day, mixed-age classroom that meets five days a week, year-round. Use developmentally appropriate practices that respect all children while modeling curiosity about and a healthy relationship with the natural world. Represent Seattle Botanic Gardens with professionalism and compassion at all times.
• Ensure the health, safety and well-being of students through site surveys and daily check-ins with students. Developing and implementing on-going evaluation methods designed to aid in the creation of individualized growth plans for each student that can be shared with parents. Documenting the learning and development that occurs in the classroom using a variety of methods for both internal and external use. Maintaining clear communication with fellow staff, admin, interns, volunteers, students, and their families to achieve common goals and avoid potential conflicts.
• Promote a close relationship with parents through daily, weekly, and monthly communication; regular meetings and phone calls; home visits and parent conferences; and family events during and outside of class time. Ensuring families feel that their traditions, experiences, and individual needs are reflected through all aspects of the program.
• Prepare, cleanup, and maintain teaching supplies and supporting materials in a well-organized and efficient manner.
• Assist with the training, coordination, and mentorship of associate teachers, student interns, and volunteers; reporting on their participation in the classroom.
• Follow all established policies, procedures, and protocols related to internal and external communications, child safety, crisis management, and risk management. Supporting the development of new classroom risk and hazard assessment and response procedures as needed.
• Other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Associate or Bachelor’s Degree or formal training in early childhood education, environmental education, or related areas.
• Licensing requires the following for a Lead Teacher in an Outdoor Nature-Based program:
  • Have 10 hours or one credit of nature-based education training at the time of hire;
  • Have an ECE initial certificate or equivalent within five years of being hired;
  • Have an ECE short certificate or equivalent within two years of receiving an ECE initial certificate.

DESIRED SKILLS

• Minimum of two years of experience as a Lead Teacher for preschool-age children.
• Ability to communicate effectively with children at an age-appropriate level.
• Understanding of cultural competency in the context of early childhood education.
• Exceptional verbal, written, and interpersonal skills. Creativity, flexibility, and understanding necessary for working with children, parents, and staff members.
• Ability to work as part of a team and make contributions through collaboration.
• Ability to problem solve and maintain a sense of calm & flexibility as unforeseen situations arise.
• Outstanding planning, organizing, and time-management skills.
• Ability to stand, stoop, squat, bend, kneel, and sit for 15-20 minutes at a time.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to walk 0.5 a mile.
• Ability to work outdoors in all types of weather.

Equivalent education/experience (personal and professional) may substitute for all required qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

TO APPLY

Please electronically send application materials, including resume and cover letter, to Seattle Botanic Gardens: jobs@arboretumfoundation.org. Please, no calls or in-person visits without an appointment. Position open until filled.