Outdoor Preschool Lead Teacher

This position requires up to 29.5 hours per week. The date commitment is August 1, 2024 through June 27, 2025. If possible, the hired individual may start before that time with limited hours. Staff school times are Monday through Friday from 9:00am- 2:00pm. Administrative hours are largely flexible with some mandatory meetings. This position reports to the executive director. 

Our licensed, forest school aims to provide inclusive, high-quality education, grounded in emergent outdoor play. The outdoor classroom presents an engaging, dynamic environment for this; our teachers are an essential part of helping students develop a sense of connection with nature, explore themes of compassion, respect and stewardship, and learn through exploration and play. We operate on Coast Salish land, and Indigenous life, past and present, is an important part of what students learn about at Fidalgo Nature School. The Since Time Immemorial curriculum is embedded in our program. 

We are committed to hiring and retaining staff with a diverse range of experiences and creating an equitable environment and community. Please note: We strongly encourage applications from people of color, immigrants, male-identifying educators, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community and other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups. 

Lead Teacher Responsibilities: 

Responsibilities include 

• Report to the executive director. Timely completion of assignments and attends weekly meetings. 
• Maintain consistent and positive open communication with preschool families, children, co-teachers, executive director, board and partners. 
• Ensure that the classroom operates within the guidelines and standards of the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, & Families (DCYF). 
• Ensure that the classroom operates within the Washington Administrative Code. 
• Create an inviting and emotionally safe classroom meeting the cultural, behavioral and physical needs of our students and staff. 
• Working cooperatively with Assistant Teachers and Aides to create developmentally appropriate curriculum and activities.
• Manages the outdoor nature-based benefit-risk assessment, policies, and procedures.
• Being the Lead for medical emergencies, fire, disaster evacuation and emergency preparedness plans. 
• Focuses on student protection, guidance, and discipline techniques include following individual health care or special needs plans. 
• Track the development of each individual child, maintain student records and lead parent/teacher conferences including twice yearly student progress reports. 
• Support student enrollment, invoicing and Procare software management where student records are maintained. 
• Assist students in the restroom and do standing diaper changes. 
• Maintains staff schedules. 
• Collaborate with staff to purchase and maintain program supplies. 
• Mandatory reporting of suspected child abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
• Other duties as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

●  18 years or older 

●  Early Childhood Education State Certificate (or actively working towards it)

●  Commitment to outdoor nature-based, early childhood education. 

●  Wilderness First Aid or complete upon hiring. $350 reimbursement if needed. 

●  Have two years of experience as a teacher of children ages 3-6 years and at least six 

months of experience in administration or management. 

●  Ability to work outside in various weather conditions including winter. 

● Shows genuine warmth and respect for children’s feelings, abilities, and differences. 

●  Openness to learn about and support equity and inclusivity in education. 

●  Ability to lift 50 lbs, swim, hike comfortably, as well as twist, bend, and kneel to interact 

with young children. 

Desired Qualifications: 

● Bilingual: Spanish, Russian, Somali, ASL, or other languages 

● Experience teaching, coaching or leading preschool-aged children outside. 

● Understanding of Indigenous Nation sovereignty, history, culture, and local communities. 

●  Knowledge of natural history/science, plant/animal identification, knowledge of 

agricultural practices, trail building or land stewardship, 4H experience and other  experiences that have allowed you to connect with nature. 

● Emergency preparedness and response training such as EMT or Lifeguard. 

Pre-Service Requirements: 

● Portable Background Check through the WA State DCYF MERIT system-    

     reimbursement available if needed 

●  Record of negative TB test within last 12 months- reimbursement available if needed

● Record or exemption letter for MMR immunization, proof of measles immunity, or    

   medical history of measles