Part Time and Full Time Nature Preschool Teacher

We are currently hiring a full time and a part time educator to join our Early Childhood Education team. This teachers will both co-lead two Nature Preschool classes on alternating schedules during the school week. They will facilitate mainly outdoor classes that nurture a child’s close relationship with the natural world through developmentally appropriate play, trail walks and games, stories, animal encounters, song, and art. A love of nature, a comfort with mud, and a nurturing spirit are musts! The teacher will create class communities in which students feel safe to be themselves, take risks, and develop skills at their own pace.
The ideal candidate will have a variety of life experiences and skillsets in local naturalist knowledge, child development and emergent curriculum, and practical outdoor skills. This individual must also be dedicated to personal self-reflection and evaluation of their pedagogy while ECE staff continue their journey in anti-bias work to improve ourselves and programming.

Part Time Commitment
- 34.5 hours a week;
- Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 8-2pm; Tuesday/Thursday, 8-4pm;
- August 15- June 16, (10 months with the possibility to renew for the following school year)

Full Time Commitment
- 40 hours a week;
- Monday through Friday, 8-4pm;
- August 15- June 16, (10 months with the possibility to renew for the following school year)

Responsibilities
- Co-teach groups of no more than 14 children in mixed age classes (3-5 yrs old)
- Create an environment of joy, appreciation, and wonder through word, action, and presence
- Embrace the beauty of each moment in all types of weather through vigorous outdoor play
- Approach teaching as a facilitator/guide, allowing children to take the lead
- Encourage and supervise child-led nature play and developmentally appropriate risk analysis
- Foster problem solving, collaboration, and imagination by providing just enough scaffolding
- Regularly observe children during all activities to assess growth and inform future planning
- Document learning and activities to share with families
- Develop strong positive partnerships with families, students, and co-teachers
- Collaborate with supervisors to conduct on-going risk analysis
- Maintain supplies through routine cleaning, including possible state-mandated disinfection
- Authentically reflect and evaluate self-practice and programs
- Attend and contribute to Preschool and Irvine Staff meetings
- Attend required on-going professional development courses as required by MSDE
- Contribute to/participate in special Preschool events (roughly 5 a year)

Qualifications
- Experience working with children 3-5yrs old and an understanding of child development
- Experience working in an outdoor setting with children
- 90-hour MSDE childcare certification or the ability to complete it by August, 2022
- Current First Aid and CPR certification or ability to complete by end of August 2022
- A college degree (for full-time) or pursuing a college degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Elementary Education, Environmental Education, or related fields
- Comfortable with meeting children where they are on a given day at their pace, whether that is a slow wander or deer-like sprint
- Flexibility to deviate from a lesson plan
- Willingness to get dirty and handle live creatures (small and large)
- Strong communication and organizational skills
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Basic computer experience (i.e., Word processing, Outlook, digital photos, etc.)
- Dedication to self-reflection and a desire to continually improve your craft
- Physically able to walk up to 2 miles a day, in all weather, and lift objects of up to 50lbs
- Your own reliable transportation
- Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or an approved medical and religious waiver

The ideal candidate:
- Is warm, approachable, and joyful
- Is curious, flexible, and creative
- Enjoys silly play and music
- Has a strong base knowledge of local flora and fauna or a willingness to learn
- Has completed coursework in forest schooling, nature-based education, or similar
- Has practical skills in fire-making, bush craft, and/or similar
- Is experienced with emergent curriculum, planning loosely, and teaching “off script”
- Has a back pocket of ideas and activities for engaging students and redirecting behavior
- Approaches challenges with calm and a sense of humor

Full Time Salary: starting 10-month salary of $35,000 with full benefits including health insurance

Part Time Salary: hourly starting pay of $16.50 an hour
 

Please note, employment is contingent upon completing and passing a criminal background check and fingerprinting and submission of proof of COVID-19 vaccination or approved waiver.

How to apply:

Send cover letter, resume, and three professional references to the attention of:
Katie Rooney, Director of Early Childhood Education Programs, Irvine Nature Center, 11201 Garrison Forest Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117

or email HR@ExploreNature.org