Johnsonburg Nature Preschool Director of Education/Lead Teacher

Johnsonburg is a year-round camp and retreat center, serving children, youth and adults through day events, nature education, overnight retreats and gatherings, in northwest New Jersey. The new nature preschool will support the mission of Johnsonburg through rich experiential learning, place-based inquiry and connecting children at a very early age to nature.

Johnsonburg Camp and Retreat Center is excited to start a nature preschool and we are seeking a candidate to develop the marketing plan, the program, the facility-use plan, and the curriculum with the assistance of the staff and board of Johnsonburg. The ideal candidate will meet the qualifications (below) and have the creativity and vision to make this new venture a success! This is a full-time, exempt position.

If this is you, read on!

The development of the Johnsonburg Nature Preschool will ideally happen in two phases, over the next 7-12 months:

Phase I: 6-9 months for program development, licensure, facility prep, assistant teacher search Phase II: school begins

Core Values:

A nature-based early childhood education program takes an immersive approach, putting nature at the heart of the program. In a nature-based early education program, nature is a setting for the program and an object of study. In addition, the care and protection of nature and the environment are regarded as a key outcome of the program

• Focus on building the whole child (mental, social, physical, emotional development)
• Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion in governance, program enrollment and instruction
• Structured around inquiry-based learning
• Outdoor classroom: place-based learning
   

Position: The Director of Education will be a highly qualified and driven educator ready to fill a position of leadership, guide the education of children 3 - 5 as a lead teacher, and develop curriculum and teaching practices for the school. This position is 35 hours a week with roughly 25 hours a week teaching and 10 hours a week for administrative tasks to maintain position as a Director. A typical day for this position will include teaching at outdoor field stations on the 300-acre Johnsonburg Camp and Retreat Center property. All staff must be prepared to spend the majority of the teaching day outside in a variety of seasons and weather conditions. The Director of Education will collaborate and work closely with the camp and retreat center staff, as well as a designated advisory committee.

Responsibilities:

▪  Showcase an authentic drive to create a physically and emotionally safe learning environment for children.

▪  As Lead Teacher: lead the early education of preschool and kindergarten mixed age students with both emergent and planned curricula, recognize and follow child-led interests, and lesson plan with play-based philosophies in mind.

▪  As Director of Education: pioneer our school’s curriculum with progressive philosophies in mind, oversee all education practices, and lead/mentor the growth of supporting teachers, parent volunteers, and student teachers.

▪  Maintain a thorough understanding of the native species (plant, mammal, bird, insect) present on the Johnsonburg property, as well as a basic understanding of regional forest, river, and lake flora and fauna.

▪  Demonstrate the ability to establish healthy relationships with enrolled families including easy and clear communication in person, via email, and phone appointments to ensure equity and inclusion of all.

▪  Schedule and lead any additional family conferences required to meet the social/emotional/physical/cognitive needs of all students.

▪  Establish individual relationships with all students to ensure you can recognize their unique form of learning and can foster custom opportunities for growth.

▪  Take initiative to research, read books/articles, take seminars/training in the Nature- Based Education industry

▪  Take pride in your position as an advocate of community outreach and play a role in school events such as fundraisers, donor meetings, festivals, and celebrations both public or private.

▪  Work with staff to complete the admissions process which may include but not limited to: open house for interested families, private tours, admissions meetings to meet potential families and students, one on one meeting with students, admitted student play dates, and admitted student home visits.

▪  Acknowledge and respect diversity and promote inclusion of all people regardless of ethnic, cultural, linguistic backgrounds, gender identity, sexual orientation, and physical and mental disabilities.

Qualifications:

Johnsonburg Nature Preschool will be under the permit/licensure of DCFS as a Daycare Center and all staff must fulfill licensed position requirements. Because this is a dual position for Director of Education and Lead Teacher, the terms of both requirements with DCFS will have to be met.

▪  A Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education (0-6) is required.

▪  A prior course in administration, leadership, or management

▪  At least 3-5 years’ experience working in an early childhood education setting such as a

school, preschool, or daycare is required.

▪  Familiarity with New Jersey Early Childhood Education Standards

▪  Must have the knowledge of principles and techniques in early childhood education and

the ability to implement this knowledge through developmentally appropriate

curriculum.

▪  An understanding of the ecology, geology, botany, and zoology of our native landscape

or a willingness to learn is required.

▪  Experience in Environmental Education is preferred.

▪  An understanding of our regional history is preferred.

▪  Prior CPR and first aid certifications, or willingness to obtain.

▪  The ability to sit, stand, crawl, lift children, hold children, and walk on uneven terrain

will be essential. Reasonable accommodation for these physical requirements can be made to enable the right candidate.

The Director of Education / Lead Teacher exemplifies a genuine interest in the wellbeing of children. The ability to listen, engage, teach, and communicate with children of all ages and developmental levels and with the adults in their lives is necessary. Working with a small, tight- knit team of both supervisors and supporting staff will be crucial. Cultivating parent relationships and representing our program well through written and verbal communication will be required as this is the first/pilot year of our program! The best candidate must show leadership to work independently and effectively guide your own students while always maintaining the flexibility to work as a cohesive team in our small nonprofit organization.

Job Type: 7 hours a day, 35 hours a week, 40-42 weeks a year *with potential to add on summer programming

Salary Range: $45-50,000
Start Date: Immediate opening (for development of school, program and staffing with target start date for school of January 2023)

Contact Person: Elise Bates Russell, Executive Director Email: naturepreschooljburg@gmail.com
Address: 822 Rt. 519, Johnsonburg, NJ 07825