Nature Based Preschool Teacher

We invite you to apply to our co-teacher position in our Nature Based Preschool (ages 3-5) as we work to change the landscape of early childhood careers. If you want an exciting challenge we are interested to meet you!

The Preschool Co-Teacher is responsible for the care, supervision and management of a class of children ages 3-5 years old in accord with the nature based educational philosophy of First Roots-Wild Roots. The Co-teacher is responsible for creating a warm and nurturing relationship with each child and family. Using observation and assessment tools, the Co-Teacher documents each child’s growth and learning in relation to his or her developmental level and Vermont Early Learning Standards to design an age-appropriate curriculum that supports communication, social skills, and autonomy through exploration and play. The Co-Teacher reports to the Center Director.

Our Mission: We are a 5 STAR, nature focused early care and education program that views each child as an individual with a unique developmental profile. Through developmentally responsive outdoor programming, we serve children ages 6 weeks to 8 years. Our mission is to Achieve the highest level of professional development, Build a community where families feel connected and respected, and to
Cultivate sustainable environmental choices and business practices to support the health and well being of all who work and play here!

Our Purpose: These are our fundamental reasons for doing what we do. If these resonate with you, come and talk to us!

Collaboration: We believe that our best work is done together with reflection and intention at the core.

Empathy: We believe in putting people first.

Quality: We believe in setting the standard for excellence in early childhood education.

Positive Impact: We believe in building a better world through our work with children as competent meaning-makers with deep associations and experiences in nature.

Sustainability: We believe in creating and developing practices that will sustain our planet, our local environment and our future.

Key Responsibilities: When you join our team, we’ll definitely fill your bucket with a detailed program orientation, a more formal job description, and a chance to dig in to play and get dirty!

Some of the things we are looking for in you!

● Education. B.A.or Associates in Early Childhood or Elementary Education, Ecology, Environmental Humanities, or Environmental Education. You may have a VT State Teaching License with Early Education Endorsement, but we look beyond formal studies for the best candidates who can thrive and get excited teaching within a nature based curriculum.

● Teaching Experience. Minimum 2 years (+) experience developing and implementing developmentally appropriate and meaningful curriculum for children (age 3-5 years)

● Love the outdoors. We have a great outdoor space and are actively engaged in building a new adventure playscape. We want this to be your passion too!

● Communication Skills. Be skilled in thoughtful and reflective communications with colleagues and seek dialogue that values all perspectives.

● Interpersonal Skills. Build trust and effectively collaborate with everyone.
● Sense of Humor: Our kids laugh a lot, and you should too!

More about the folks you’ll be working with:

All our teachers put their heart into teaching and value nature-based play as the core of this work. This shows when our teachers support children by responding to and extending their play interests using natural materials, the out of doors, storytelling and songs to encourage language, numeracy, science, and social interaction to develop a strong appreciation of the wider world. And our team understands and appreciates the value of a really good question! They do this because our teachers share a common passion for professional development, community building and care for our environment -- and for having a sense of humor and a sense of FUN!

Our commitment to a healthy work environment: We constantly strive to create an environment that allows our employees to do the best work of their lives. We are also committed to keeping our employees healthy, motivated, focused and creative. We've designed our benefits program with these goals in mind. In a nutshell, we've built a place where teachers truly love to work, and we think you will too.

Our commitment to diversity: We believe that a workplace, classroom or community thrives when all voices are at the table, are heard and appreciated! We welcome applicants of all gender identities, expression, sexual orientation, race, religion, age, national origin, citizenship, disability, or pregnancy status. Supporting diversity is an essential way for children to be able to understand the spectrum of our world and to be affirmed by and learn from the adults around them. It is also one of our nine fundamental behavioral competencies for every employee as a life-long learner at our school.