Center Director & Lead Teacher

Are you passionate about nature-based education and protecting unhurried childhood? We’re seeking a creative, enthusiastic and inspired individual to be our new center director and lead teacher.

For more than 25 years, Prairie Flower Children's Center has provided children in Ames, Iowa, and beyond with a nature-based, love-centered and belonging-based early childhood experience. We are fiercely committed to protecting the simplicity and wonderment of early childhood and believe all children have the inherent capacity and desire to learn through play, deep connection to nature and place and a curriculum that nurtures their minds, bodies and spirits.

This is a unique opportunity for the right person to take the helm of a small but committed nonprofit center while building on our existing programs – which include a preschool and mixed-age kindergarten, after-school nature club for children ages 5-12+, a parent-child playgroup and more – and offering vision and leadership to help sculpt the future of nature-based early childhood education in the Ames, Iowa, area.

As center director and lead teacher, you will:

• Craft a curriculum that engages children in art, music, stories, meaningful work and play – such as shared meal preparation tasks, bread baking, lunch clean-up and other tasks – and free play and exploration in nature in all seasons and weather

• Train, supervise and work alongside other teaching staff to carry out the intent of the program

• Plan for periodic community festivals, including their rhythms and flow and how they connect with waypoints in the preschool year as it unfolds in tandem with nature’s shifting seasons

• Envision the possibilities for nature-based early childhood education in our area, communicate that vision to the public and lead efforts to sustainably grow Prairie Flower’s programs

• Handle a range of administrative tasks related to enrollment, communication with parents and to ensure Prairie Flower’s compliance with state licensing requirements and the terms of our rental contract

• Lead fundraising and grant-seeking opportunities to expand Prairie Flower’s financial portfolio

This position requires a unique blend of qualifications that include knowledge of nature-based early childhood education; skill in artistic, musical or other creative endeavors; the ability to shift between managing teaching and administrative tasks; capable communication skills; and comfort assuming a leadership role.

Learn More: Read the full job description at https://www.prairieflowercc.org/employment.html

To Apply: Please email your resume and two professional references to Abi Gundlach-Graham, Prairie Flower board president, at awa-president@prairieflowercc.org. We will review applications on a rolling basis. For priority consideration, please apply by Feb. 10, 2023. 

A cover letter is optional, but you are welcome to submit one if you think it would help us get to know you, your background, interests or vision better than by reading your resume alone. (We will consider all applications equally on their merits, with or without the submission of a cover letter.)