Nature School Assistant Teacher

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direction of and in collaboration with  the lead teacher

• Assist in facilitating immersive outdoor classes, maintaining a caring environment with safety routines that protect and empower children.
• Nurture individual student needs while managing whole-group experiences, unstructured play, and exploration.
• Provide direct, differentiated instruction that emphasizes collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
• Understand each child’s developmental stage through observation and discussion.
• Maintain appropriate limits and guidelines for both individual and group activities.
• Recognize and engage families as essential partners in the educational process.
• Implement lessons in alignment with school expectations and curricular guidelines.
• Exercise clear and consistent classroom management strategies to support students’ social-emotional growth.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding children and their families.
• Actively support the school's mission and strategic objectives.
• Communicate and collaborate effectively with the lead teacher, students, families, and colleagues.
• Model professionalism and ethical standards in interactions with students, families, and colleagues.
• Embrace ongoing professional growth opportunities and processes based on research-driven standards and practices.
• Attend all required professional development and school meetings.
• Actively support the mission and strategic plan of the school
• Other duties that support families, children, and staff may be assigned

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of a B.A. or B.S. in a related field.
• Experience in early childhood education and outdoor/nature education programs preferred

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND QUALITIES

• Current First Aid, AED, and Child CPR (recertification provided by EDS)
• Love of children, love of learning, love of nature
• Forest School Certification (certification provided by EDS)
• Patient, compassionate disposition
• Adaptable to working in all weather conditions (cold, wet, hot, humid)
• Comfortable moving around in rough terrain, including creek exploration, tree climbing, and the like
• The ability to pick up 50 lb students in emergencies.
• Attend all required professional development sessions and meetings
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively with the Nature School team.