Overview:

Boston Outdoor Preschool Network is growing! We build joyful communities of children and teachers connected to each other and to their outdoor environments through discovery and play. We believe that children are intrinsically motivated to learn, and that they do so by exploring the world around them.  This is the right opportunity for an experienced preschool teacher who enjoys spending time in nature.

Position Description:
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Monday through Friday

Location: Outdoors at the Arnold Arboretum

Compensation: $20/hour for 21 hours/week

Schedule: Summer Program (July 5 through August 27)

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Nurture the spirit and curiosity of each child while building strong relationships with families and children. Use a nature-based and child-centered approach.
• Be responsible for the health and safety of each child. This includes helping children stay warm and dry in rainy and cold weather, managing risk in an outdoor setting, and addressing conflict
• Gracefully and professionally communicate with parents, caregivers, and the general public
• Use daily written documentation as a tool for communication, reflection, new learning, and advocacy
• Mentor interns
• Attend occasional evening/weekend events as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Ability to stimulate the inherent curiosity children have about their surroundings, and expand on it with emergent and nature-based curriculum
• Strong classroom management skills and ability to maintain a safe learning environment indoors and outdoors
• Embrace a wide variety of weather conditions as unique and interesting, part of the ebb and flow of the natural rhythm and seasonal changes
• Engaging and easily able to communicate with children, families, and colleagues
• Eager to work in a start-up culture. Tolerant of uncertainty and change and understand that organizations continue to improve when the people who work there are adaptable, take chances, and learn from their mistakes
• Preferred: experience in environmental education and anti-bias education

Additional Information:

This position requires successful reference and background checks. Candidates who add to our diverse community are encouraged to apply.