Program Educator

About Firefly Explorers Nature School

Firefly Explorers is a nature enrichment program on a mission to preserve the magic of childhood outdoors. We offer fully outdoor classes for children ages 0–8 in Suffolk, Chesapeake, and Virginia Beach. Our classes connect young learners to the natural world through exploration, seasonal rhythms, hands-on learning, and joyful time together outdoors in a safe, nurturing environment. 

Position Overview

We are seeking a dependable and passionate part-time program educator to assist in leading our fully outdoor classes. Our classes serve children ages 0–8 across Suffolk, Chesapeake, and Virginia Beach. We follow a seasonal curriculum built around how local plants and animals change through the year to connect our students with what is happening in the natural world around them. You will guide small groups of 10–12 children & their care givers through themed hikes, hands-on activities, story time, and take-home crafts.

Key Responsibilities

• Class Facilitation: Lead classes from start to finish — greeting families, guiding the hikes, facilitating hands-on nature activities and story time, and closing out the day — creating a warm, safe, and joyful experience for every child.
• Teach Outdoors: Teach entirely outdoors in all kinds of weather and across the seasons, keeping the group safe, comfortable, and engaged.
• Curriculum Implementation: Bring our seasonal curriculum to life while following the children's curiosity — adapting activities to child-led discovery and the dynamics of each group.
• Safety & Supervision: Maintain continuous supervision of your group across trails and gathering areas; assess the environment for safety and handle first-aid needs as they arise.
• Group Management: Use gentle, positive guidance to support children's social-emotional growth, peer interactions, and smooth transitions through the class rhythm. Interact and partner alongside caregivers & parents who attend class to manage and support students.
• Setup & Take down: Prepare, arrange, and reset outdoor learning areas and materials before and after each class.
• Team Collaboration: Meet with and check in regularly with the program director on curriculum, class needs, and scheduling.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Experience: 1-2 years leading groups of children in an outdoor, nature, or environmental education setting.
• Education/Background: Coursework or background in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Environmental Education, or related field.
• Outdoor Adaptability: Comfortable leading a group fully outdoors in all kinds of weather and across seasons.
• Physical: Able to hike uneven park trails with children, sit on the ground, and lift up to 40 pounds.
• Certifications: Current CPR & First Aid certification (required).

If you do not meet all of these qualifications, but are passionate about our mission and feel you could be good fit for the position, we'd still love to receive an application from you!

To apply: Please send your resume, cover letter, and 2 references to hello@fireflyexplorers.com by November 22, 2026. In your cover letter, please describe a nature lesson you have led independently.