Lead Forest Preschool teacher

Work with newly arrived earthlings in this incredibly beautiful environment providing opportunities for direct experiences during this amazing child-led all outdoor program! Little Earthlings Forest School!

LEAD FOREST SCHOOL TEACHER
Little Earthlings Forest School
Location: Golden Gate Park / Ocean Beach
Type: Full Time     

Little Earthlings Forest School is seeking a Lead Forest School teacher for our all outdoor program in Golden Gate Park. At Little Earthlings Forest School, we strive to nurture the whole child. We understand that they are new on Earth and learning what it means to be themselves and to be here. We believe that a wonderful childhood starts with imaginative play and a supportive community; with a meaningful connection to nature and wildlife; with vigorous physical work and nourishing food; with simple rhythms and consistency; with feeling at home in the forest. Learn more about us here. 

https://www.wonderschool.com/ca/san-francisco/littleearthlingsforestschool

https://www.instagram.com/littleearthlingsforestschoolca/

Little Earthlings Forest School is a powerful counter-balance to the increasing electronic presence in the lives of young children. We provide and all year all outdoor experience with the Earth. Children climb trees instead of structures, get wet and muddy, learn to become strong and self sufficient, anticipate and plan for eventualities, plant seeds and pull grass, collect flowers and learn herb lore, identify trees, animal species, and explore on and off trail through all seasons. In these first 5 years, the connections young children make with the natural world, through sensory experiences, emotional development and social interactions, will remain for the rest of their lives. Child led, nature based, experiential learning provided, supported and protected by you.

We are seeking like-minded individuals who are up for the hard, yet invigorating work of a forest school teacher. Potential candidates must be flexible and exhibit a willingness to perform any job, be it crouching low to the ground to build tiny houses made of leaves and sticks, getting down in the dirt to make mud pies, or lifting and/or moving up to 50 pounds.

Duties with Children

• Make sure the children are safe and and supported
• Leave space for the children by not filling it with too much talking or direction
• Interact with children in a positive, supportive, respectful and open-minded manner
• Maintain visual and auditory supervision of children at all times to ensure their safety in the forest, the park playgrounds, and on field trips.
• Use positive, appropriate and supportive language with children
• Observe children's behavior and learning, and scaffold experiential learning based on those observations
• Help children resolve and negotiate conflicts when they arise; support development of self regulation, impulse control and coping mechanisms through supporting conflict resolution; use consistent techniques in guiding children's behavior
• Work closely with Director regarding all duties

Parent Relations

• Model Developmentally Appropriate Practices for parents
• Communicate in a positive, supportive and professional manner
• Maintain confidentiality in terms of children, staff, and parents when communicating with parents
• Collaborate with parents regarding group projects, class activities and children's interests

Staff Relations

• Establish and maintain a positive relationship of cooperation, communication, and respect with co-workers
• Contribute to the development of community among staff
• at an appropriate time, communicate directly with fellow staff when conflicts arise
• use conflict resolution technique rather than avoidance
• communicate concerns and resolution to the Director
• Participate in staff meetings (Tuesday afternoons and online) discussions and group process, collaborate with other staff in development of ideas and understandings
• Communicate with fellow staff regarding discussions about children

Professional  Expectations

• Positively project the mission, goals, philosophy and policies of the preschool to parents, staff and community
• Maintain regular attendance and punctuality
• Attend training, staff development meetings and some evening meetings as scheduled
• Attend professional development workshops and trainings when provided
• Work to increase skills and knowledge in early childhood education

Desired Qualifications

• Minimum 12 ECE units in the core subjects (Child Development, 3 units; Child, Family, and Community, 3 units; ECE Curriculum, 3 units; ECE Principles and Practice, 3 units).
• One to two years preschool teaching experience
• Loves working with young children and is energetic and passionate about working one-on-one with children, as well as with groups of children.
• Able to work cooperatively and collaboratively in an all outddor, forest setting, and open and flexible to new ideas.
• Active in the field of early childhood education, child development,  forestry, environmentalism, conservation, herbology, any and all Earth based / nature based wisdom or knowledge, and knowledgeable about community resources that can be tapped as enrichment activities for students and parents.
• Current Emergency First Aid and Child CPR certificate; (or willing to obtain quickly) current health screening and negative T.B. test. 
• Prior experience working in a an all outdoor setting is a plus.

Salary: Competitive, and Based upon Experience, starting at $25/hour
Hours: The school follows the SFUSD calendar. 
Full-time position requires 7 hours a day from 8:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. 

The school day is 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Required attendance at school meetings/events such as community pot lucks and Camping trips.

How to apply:

Please submit your resume along with a cover letter telling us why you are interested in joining our team.

David Calabrese

[email protected]