Nature-Based Preschool Teacher

Overview: The ODC Network is a nonprofit organization focused on outdoor education and
conservation throughout West Michigan. The ODC Preschools are nature-based preschools
operated by the ODC Network in Allegan and Ottawa County. ODC Preschools provide early
childhood learning opportunities for children aged 3-5, building social emotional and academic
skills within a unique natural environment with an emphasis on nature based inquiry and
outdoor exploration.

Purpose: This role is a hybrid role of Lead Teacher in one or more preschool sessions and
Assistant Teacher in one or more preschool sessions. The Lead/Assistant Teacher will work
with their teaching team to design and implement and assess developmentally appropriate
high quality nature-based early childhood education for children ages 3 – 5 and work actively
with ODC Network staff to ensure children have a strong connection to nature. The
Lead/Assistant Teacher will collaborate, communicate, and guide their teaching team and
families.

Primary Responsibilities: 
– Work collaboratively with their team to design, organize and implement nature-based
early childhood education curriculum and experiences both in the indoor and outdoor classrooms;
– Facilitate a collaborative approach to planning and teaching within their instructional team;
– Assure compliance with all licensing rules and regulations;
Be aware of and responsive to early childhood best practices related to social emotional and academic learning, special needs, diversity, equity, and inclusion;
– Determine professional learning needs and opportunities;
– Maintain open communication with ODC Network staff and coordinate programming
with naturalists. Maintain open and regular communication with the ODC Preschool’s Early Childhood Leadership Team;
– Work with the Site Director to train, supervise, and evaluate Assistant Teachers, undergraduate teaching candidates, and volunteers;
– Communicate consistently with families in person or via email, phone call, or Child Pilot;
– Learn and implement social emotional skill building through the Conscious Discipline Model;
– Manage collection, organization, and use of anecdotal note taking via TS GOLD and Preschool Early Literacy Indicator (PELI);
– Plan and facilitate parent/caregiver and volunteer involvement;
– Participate in staff meetings, staff professional development events, and additional ODC Network events.

Professional Responsibilities: Maintain educational and training requirements for preschool
licensing and quality program assessments.

Supervision/Evaluation: Provided by the Preschool Site Director, Director of Support Services and Teaching Colleagues. This position supervises, and evaluates Assistant Teachers, undergraduate teaching candidates, and volunteers.

Education/Experience:
– Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development or a Child Related
Field preferred;
– Minimum of Current Preschool CDA or Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development or a Child Related Field required;
– Experience working with children.

Other Skills and Abilities:
– Demonstrated interest in young children and early childhood education;
– Interest in nature, nature-based inquiry and learning;
– Willingness to spend a significant amount of time outdoors each day, in all types of weather;
– Demonstrated good character, responsibility and suitability to meet the needs of children with diverse backgrounds and learning differences;
– Demonstrated ability to work in a team;
– Must complete and pass a Michigan background check, including fingerprinting;
– Current certification in Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR, training will be provided if
needed;
– Bilingual English speakers are encouraged to apply;
– Background/experience in nature-based instruction, outdoor education or similar field is encouraged.