Job description

Hiring for the 2023-24 school year. This job will begin in August 2023. We are an intimate, nature-based forest preschool located in an historic home in Manchester Center, VT. We operate Monday through Thursday on a school year schedule. We spend most all day, every day, outside. Nature study, immersion into seasonal rhythms, emotional intelligence and interpersonal relations are the core tenets of our program. We believe in encouraging children to explore freely while focusing on mindfulness, awareness, observation, and empathy. Our philosophy and unique curriculum is built around connection to both the natural and human worlds. We strive to connect children and families with each other and with nature and to build community within both human and non-human realms.

We are looking to hire a caring, dedicated, experienced and creative person for our team to work with our head teacher on weekday mornings and to lead our aftercare program from 1:00-4:00. There is room to grow into head teacher position for the right candidate who takes the time to become familiar with our program. This is a great position for an experienced forest school teacher interested in learning how to use that experience in a more traditional school schedule, or for an experienced early childhood teacher who is motivated to take that experience and use it in a forest school setting and curriculum. Early childhood classroom experience or early childhood forest school teaching experience is a must.

Paid $37-40K a school year, with all BRSU holidays and vacations off with pay. Programming with the children is from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Thursday. Fridays are on a flexible schedule and are dedicated to organization and maintenance, planning, gathering of materials and evaluations. Occasional additional hours for meetings and events. 3 paid sick/personal days a year.

Responsibilities include:

-co-planning and executing thematically arranged, ecology based lessons and art projects for young children aged 3-5

-co-planning and executing sensory activities and other “classroom” elements

-co-planning and executing larger group art projects with other teacher

-some gathering of materials for lessons and activities

-co-writing bi-annual teacher evaluations for each student and conducting bi-annual parent teacher conferences with the head teacher

-helping to plan and execute seasonal school events

-assist in the maintenance of attendance logs, injury reports, students paperwork files and other necessary paperwork

Requirements:
-Must be willing and happy to be outside with children for 2-4 hours or more every day, in all weather, all year round.

-Candidates must have classroom or equivalent experience working with young children, preferably in early childhood, Kindergarten or 1st grade.

-Experience as an environmental educator and some knowledge of ecology and natural history is desirable.

-Must be reliable. There are many vacations days and a flex schedule planning day every week, teachers are expected to be present for programming time unless it is absolutely necessary to be absent.

-Must have excellent communication skills, self awareness and emotional intelligence.

-Must be a supportive team player and be interested in becoming familiar with the curriculum and in continuing the mission of the school.

-Must recognize the importance of early childhood education and ecological education and strive for excellence.

-Must have excellent references.

-Must complete all VT state required trainings for working in early childhood (first aid/cpr plus some online classes around child safety) and create and maintain a BFIS account with the state of VT. We can assist in orienting new staff to these requirements.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $37,000.00 - $40,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Paid time off

COVID-19 considerations:
All staff must be fully vaccinated against covid-19. Must be willing to follow guidance for mask use and other safety precautions recommended by the state.

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Manchester, VT: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Application Question(s):

• Are you willing to be fingerprinted, background checked and complete any necessary trainings for the state of VT?

Education:

• Associate (Required)

Experience:

• Teaching or childcare: 1 year (Required)

Work Location: One location

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