Forest Preschool Guide/Lead Teacher

Notchcliff Nature Programs is seeking a forest preschool guide/lead teacher to facilitate forest preschool programs and summer nature camp (Summer 2022 and during the school year, Sept. - May 2023).

Our playful, immersive outdoor programs offer a wonderful way for children to make lasting connections with the natural world. Essential social, emotional, cognitive, and physical skills grow as does a genuine love for nature in our forest preschool, homeschool cooperative, and Summer Forest Friends camps. We cultivate gratitude, empathy, and appreciation of our diverse community and we honor our elders through an intergenerational approach with residents at Glen Meadows Retirement Community. Position works with children ages 3-5 or 5-8, depending on the class. Notchcliff Nature Programs is a project of the 501c3 nonprofit Eastern Region Association of Forest and Nature Schools (ERAFANS.org). Learn more at naturalcommunity.org.

Goals of Notchcliff Nature Programs:
• To honor young children as independent, capable thinkers through child-directed, experiential, place-based approaches to learning;
• To engage in a rhythm of reflection, inquiry, observation, trial-and-error, risk-taking, perseverance, discussion, problem-solving, expression, and teamwork through a balance of emergent curriculum, intentional activities, and unstructured nature play;
• To offer opportunities for children to explore identity in the context of nature and the larger community, while cultivating kindness, empathy, compassion, and gratitude; and
• To model best practices and approaches to nature-based early childhood education

Job description
Forest preschool guide/Lead teacher works closely with a co-teacher and children to facilitate outdoor classes with children. Tasks include thoughtful curriculum design based on children’s emergent interests, on-going reflection about and assessment of children and the forest school program, and collaboration with other teachers and/or volunteers. Lead teacher will manage support staff and/or volunteers as needed. Lead teachers set the tone for learning as engaged, enthusiastic role models of nature-based education while maintaining a safe, positive atmosphere.
This position requires a blend of qualifications that span having sound knowledge about early childhood education as well as nature-based pedagogy. Candidates should possess curiosity, if not deep understanding, of the local ecosystem with a commitment to helping young children develop their ecological identities through inquiry and play.
Position requires personal and programmatic reflection, collaboration with teachers and parents, open dialogue about children’s progress, and interfacing with Glen Meadows Retirement Community partners and residents. Position may also include writing content, providing data, or other supplemental information to assist in the grant-writing process. Specific targets and goals for grant tracking and evaluation may also be required.

The ideal candidate will:
● Be passionate about educating children in nature.
● Be self-motivated and self-directed with the flexibility to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
● Have strong leadership abilities and excellent interpersonal skills, organizational, and time-management skills.
● Be a skilled communicator, guided by a desire to listen to and speak compassionately with both children and adults.
● Feel comfortable and confident about meeting the needs of children outdoors in all seasons.
● Approach education with a committment to equity and inclusion to ensure that all children can access the benefits of nature-based education.

Primary Job Responsibilities:
● Responsible for planning and facilitating immersive outdoor experiences for young children. This includes maintaining a safe, loving environment with safety routines that protect yet empower children, including policies to safeguard against the spread of COVID-19.
● Nurture individualized needs of children while managing whole group experiences and unstructured play in the forest.
● Daily set-up/break-down of forest classroom (hands-washing station, fire ring, toilet tent, etc.).
● Utilize an emergent curriculum plan, daily ‘sketch of the day’ based on children’s and seasonal interests, and loosely refer to curricular standards as relevant.
● Participate in various community-building initiatives with staff and local partners.
● Manage materials and equipment; request/order new materials as needed.
● Participate in authentic child assessment, self-evaluation, and program evaluation.
● Other duties that support families, children, and staff will also be assigned as needed.

Collaborative duties with fellow staff:
● Document learning processes in many formats for children’s portfolios (written documentation, photos, content for blog/FB posts, Instagram, ERAFANS website, etc.).
● Provide positive guidance to children in navigating their social interactions with peers and adults.
● Maintain friendly yet professional interpersonal communication skills with children, families, fellow staff and volunteers.
● Participate in staff meetings and on-going professional development.
● Implement community events (IE. Open Houses) for prospective families and stakeholders.

Essential Experience & Education
● Possess or in pursuit of bachelor’s degree in nature-based early childhood education, environmental studies, outdoor education, natural history, biology, elementary education, or closely related field
● Minimum of two years of experience leading outdoor education programs, with emphasis on coyote mentoring, directional teaching, flow learning, and emergent outdoor learning approaches (preferred)
● Hold valid credentials to work in an MSDE-licensed preschool program (90-hour certificate)*
● Possess the following credentials, certifications, or licenses: Current first aid and CPR credentials (Wilderness First Responder preferred)
● Must pass background check, child abuse clearances, and drug test before starting employment
● Experience working with young children as appropriate for the classes you will teach
● Physically able to hike, carry gear, and carry a small child if needed (up to 50 lbs)
● Naturalist background with knowledge of local ecology, flora, and fauna; Master Gardener or Master Naturalist certification (not required but preferred)

*The 90-hour certificate is made up of two 45-hour courses: one called Human Growth/Child Development and one called Curriculum Development/Materials and Methods (offered in person and online). Please indicate if you have or are pursuing this qualification; if your classes are in progress, we will consider your application.

Classes are entirely outdoors, so you must be experienced and eager to facilitate outdoor learning in all seasons!

Most Desirable Qualities
● Love of children
● Love of nature
● A strong work ethic with a track record of being reliable, honest, and kind
● Ability to laugh, remain calm, and persevere when faced with challenges
● Patient, positive disposition
● Eager to grow and learn with others

Additional Skills & Training
● Excellent written and verbal communication skills
● Proficient in Microsoft Office programs including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
● Proficient use of social media platforms including Instagram, Twitter, and FaceBook
● Excited to lead outdoor programs in all kinds of weather
● Flexible mindset and positive attitude
● Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team

Salary
This is a part-time, hourly position with pay range between $17-18/hour.

How to apply:

This job description offers guidelines for the position, not hard and fast rules. If you have 75% of the qualifications listed, we encourage you to apply! Send your resume and three references to Monica Wiedel-Lubinski, director@erafans.org. If hired, you will complete a background check, fingerprinting, and formal application of employment.
 
Equal Opportunity Statement
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote
regardless of race, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender or transsexual
individual), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Persons from Indigenous, Latinx, African-American and other diverse racial or cultural backgrounds are encouraged to apply. If you have a disability and require accommodation or assistance with our online application process, please contact us so we can help.