Lead Teacher_Outdoor Preschool

Tiny Trees Preschool gives children a quality education and a joyful, nature-rich childhood: one full of play, exploration and wonder in outdoor classrooms at Seattle and King County public parks. Tiny Trees is an official partner of Seattle Parks and Recreation; King County Parks and Recreation, Seattle Art Museum, and Burien Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services. Tiny Trees offers multiple financial aid options for families in different circumstances. These programs include the Seattle Preschool Program, Best Starts for Kids and Tiny Trees funded financial assistance.

We strongly encourage applications from people of color, immigrants, male-identifying educators, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, non-binary applicants and other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups.

As a Lead Teacher and On-site Supervisor, you will:

Be the most senior educator at your outdoor classroom’s park and will work closely with our Preschool Program Director, and fellow teachers. Duties will include:

Lead Educator

• Teach and develop the curriculum of your classroom with other members of your teaching team
• Develop your classroom with consideration for the cultures and backgrounds of your students by incorporating an anti-racist, anti-bias curriculum
• Create a welcoming and emotionally safe classroom

Be Responsible for the Health, Safety, and Wellbeing of all Students

• Manage risk in an outdoor setting
• Manage inclement weather related challenges
• Address student conflict and challenging behaviors
• Assure that the classroom operates within the guidelines and standards of the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, & Families (DCYF)

Reflective Practices

• Conduct ongoing assessment of students using Teaching Strategies GOLD
• Contribute to the development, implementation, and review of Tiny Trees Preschool policies and procedures in conjunction with Tiny Trees administration, as appropriate

Family Communication and Support

• Lead family-teacher communication and student data tracking, using technology/collaborative tools such as Gmail, Google Drive, Facebook, and online search engines on a regular basis
• Conduct family-teacher conferences three times per year
• Be the primary contact for families in your program; gracefully and professionally communicate with parents and caregivers, both formally and informally, individually and in groups

Supervise and Coach Teaching Team

• Collaborate with and cultivate a team of equally passionate, engaged educators, modeling best practices for the teaching team at your site
• Help train and mentor assistant teaching staff for your classroom in partnership with the off-site Preschool Program Director
• Mentor classroom volunteers and apprentices/service learners from our college and university partners

Manage Classroom and Site Needs

• Maintain planning for equipment and supply needs in partnership with the Assistant Teacher and other program staff aligned with the monthly budget.
• Setup and take down the classroom daily, including canopies in wet/cold weather

Commit to Anti-Racism Learning and Teaching

• Participate in trainings, reflective groups and/or caucus to learn about anti-racist practices and teaching pedagogy
• With support from your teaching team, intentionally incorporate anti-racist practices in your teaching

Represent Tiny Trees

• Be an ambassador for the classroom’s park when interacting with the public
• Other duties as assigned

You Are:

• Intentional and reflective in your work with children.
• Looking to grow professionally through mentorship and teamwork.
• Dedicated to expanding access to early learning, child-directed and play-based learning, and the outdoors.
• Interested in and committed to anti-racism and anti-bias teaching.
• Engaging and able to communicate effectively with students, families, and peers.
• Excited to get dirty and laugh a lot while teaching outside even in Seattle’s cold and wet winters.
• Open and eager to learn, grow, adapt, be flexible as a part of a learning organization.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Have a minimum of a Washington State ECE initial certificate or equivalent (approximately 12 Early Childhood Education Credits, or be willing to get one within five years of being hired or promoted to this position.
• Experience teaching children 3-5 years old in environmental education programs or preschool settings.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds on a regular basis, including loading and unloading boxes of classroom materials, pulling a wagon, moving sticks and logs, and moving children.

Job Title: Lead Teacher & On-site Supervisor

• Reports to the Preschool Program Director.
• Weekly hours: Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week.
• The typical work schedule will be 8:30 am to 4:30 pm with a 30 minute paid lunch break ● Weekly flexible planning and prep time.
• Occasional evening and weekend hours.

Apply: Please submit a single document that includes a cover letter and resume with contact info for three references at tinytrees.org/about/careers. The hiring process is rolling; please apply at your earliest convenience. This position requires successful reference and background checks