Nature Explorers Teacher

A Nature Explorer teacher provides opportunities for children to learn about nature and the environment experientially while maintaining safe surroundings. He/She supports caregivers through early childhood awareness. A Nature Explorer Teacher helps foster the academic, social, and emotional growth of the child. 

Nature Explorer Teacher applicants must be able to commit to work from September 2023 – June 2024. 

Report To: Nature Explorers Coordinator 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

  • Instructing 18 month- 6 years old and their caregiver in nature-based, play-driven curriculum 
  • Encourage the nurturing of the physical, emotional, and social health of each child
  • Continuously assess and manage health and safety risks on site
  • Implement age-appropriate curriculum and behavioral education as well as provide any feedback to an evolving curriculum
  • Maintain, house, and keep record of classroom supplies
  • Ability to sing songs, use puppets as a teaching tool, and talent in storytelling 
  • Setup and tear down outdoor classroom each week including shelter building. 
  • Administer any first aid and keep records of all injuries
  • Send weekly emails to caregivers 
  • Represent the school philosophy and core values at community and regional networking and fundraising events
  • Source books appropriate to curriculum to read during class 
  • Work outside in all types of weather, with the exception being if temperatures reach below 13F (with/without windchill) or there is lightning expected.   
  • Intermittent trips to the store for specialty supplies or to replenish supplies
  • Able to work occasional weekends and evenings (i.e., community events, Open Houses)
  • Attends training opportunities and monthly staff meetings as provided and scheduled.
  • Ability to independently problem-solve, schedule daily activities, model good communication and to communicate and work effectively with professional staff and parents. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

  1. Complete Nature Teacher Training
  2. Supportive of caregivers and charismatic towards others 
  3. Experience in the outdoor field
  4. Comfortable in teaching in all weather
  5. Ability to read curriculum and bring it to life in an outdoor classroom setting
  6. Experience working with children ages 2-6 
  7. Ability to stand, bend and stoop for prolonged periods of time, and hike on varying terrains.
  8. Knowledge about early childhood education and Waldorf practices 
  9. Knowledge of the outdoors and outdoor safety practices 
  10. Talents in the arts, playing instruments, multilingual, wilderness skills are a plus but not required 

BENEFITS 

  • Summers off: with option of being a summer leader 
  • Flexibility: Set your own schedule, choose your location, and frequency of classes to fit your needs. Must be able to commit to the same schedule/location from September-June. 
  • Bring your kids to work: Teachers who are also parents can bring their own kid(s) to class
  • Training: Online and in-person training in play-based learning, early childhood development, Waldorf practices, and outdoor education. Direct in-person support from Nature Explorers Coordinator.

COMPENSATION:  

$15 an hour 

Part time position 

Two and a half hours for each class you teach

Teachers are employees with Wild Beginnings Nature School

Continued need to attend training and participate in professional development in order to update knowledge and to implement the curriculum and positive behavioral interventions effectively to meet the changing needs of students.