Forest Preschool Assistant Teacher

Prairie School of DuPage is a small, private, nature-based preschool through 8th-grade school in Wheaton, IL. We are looking for an assistant for our nature-immersion preschool that runs from September through May. The Forest School at Prairie School of DuPage is an outdoor, unstructured, emergent preschool program for ages 3-5 and is held on 42 acres of woods, wetlands, and meadows. With a 5-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio, this small, adventurous group will be hiking, exploring, and playing in all kinds of weather all year long. This is an exciting and rewarding position for the right teacher!

Qualifications:

• 1+ years of experience working with children ages 3-5
• Preferably a degree working towards one in Early Childhood Education or a related field, or in an environmental/natural science-related field. Knowledge of and experience with the Forest preschool model is a plus
• An affinity for nature and the outdoors
• Enjoy being outside in all kinds of weather (this is a nature immersion program, and we will be outside the entire class)
• Passionate about or interested in learning more about, the local environment, flora, and fauna
• Helpful, hardworking, proactive, and collaborative
• Able to listen, take direction, and support the lead teacher
• Be reliable, punctual, and organized
• Kind and patient disposition with children
• Curious, energetic, and positive attitude
• Able to lift 35+ pounds and pull a loaded-up wagon across multiple acres
• Commitment to serving and furthering the educational philosophy of Prairie School of DuPage