The Natural Beginnings Early Learning Program is looking for Nature Preschool teacher to share the awe and wonder of nature with young children, ages 3-6 who attend our program.  Our teachers are organized, responsible, joyful, energetic, flexible, child-focused, safety-conscious, and enjoy being outdoors year round for the majority of the day. They have a growing understanding of child development, their own nature identity, and excellent social and emotional skills.

Classes at Natural Beginnings spend at least 75% of each day outdoors learning foundational skills through hands-on experiences. We approach learning through play and exploration, centering our practice on the natural world and child-led learning.

Natural Beginnings is part of the Kendall County Forest Preserve District and is based on over 400 acres at the Hoover FP, in Yorkville, Illinois.

Position Summary

We are currently hiring a new educator to join our Early Childhood Education team in a part-time position. The teacher will co-lead three days a week and lead the alternating two days. With their co-teacher, the teacher will facilitate mainly outdoor classes that nurture a child’s close relationship with the natural world through developmentally appropriate play, hikes, games, stories, animal encounters, songs, and art. A love of nature, a comfort with mud, and a nurturing spirit are musts! The teacher will create class communities in which students feel safe to be themselves, take risks, and develop skills at their own pace.

The ideal candidate will have a variety of life experiences and skillsets in local naturalist knowledge, child development and emergent curriculum, and practical outdoor skills. This individual must also be dedicated to personal self-reflection and evaluation of their pedagogy while ECE staff begin their journey in anti-bias work to improve ourselves and programming.

Time Commitment

Approximately 25 hours a week, mid-August through mid-June, Monday through Friday.

Responsibilities

• Co-teach groups of no more than 12 children in mixed age classes of 3-6
• Create an environment of joy, appreciation, and wonder through word, action, and presence
• Embrace the beauty of each moment in all types of weather through vigorous outdoor play
• Approach teaching as a facilitator/guide, allowing children to take the lead
• Co-plan and facilitate whole group and small group playful experiences
• Encourage and supervise child-led  nature play
• Foster problem solving, collaboration, and imagination
• Regularly observe children during all activities to assess growth and inform future planning
• Document learning and activities to share in program specific manners with families
• Develop strong positive partnerships with families, students, and co-teachers
• Communicate clearly, empathetically, and regularly with other staff, families, and interns
• Collaborate with supervisors to conduct on-going risk analysis and hazard-mitigation
• Maintain supplies through routine cleaning
• Attend and contribute to regular staff meetings
• Attend on-going professional development opportunities
• Contribute to/participate in special Preschool events (roughly 5 a year)

Qualifications

• Experience working with children 3-6 yrs. old and an understanding of child development
• Experience working in an outdoor setting with children
• A college degree or pursuing a college degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Elementary Education, Environmental Education, or related fields
• Comfortable with meeting children where they are on a given day at their pace, whether that is a slow wander or deer-like sprint
• Flexibility to deviate from a lesson plan
• Willingness to get dirty and handle live creatures (small and large)
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Basic computer experience (i.e., Word processing, Outlook, digital photos, etc.)
• Current First Aid and CPR certification or ability to complete by end of August, 2021
• Dedication to self-reflection and a desire to continually improve your craft
• Physically able to walk up to 2 miles a day, in all weather, and lift objects of up to 50lbs
• Your own reliable transportation

The ideal candidate:

• Is warm, approachable, and joyful
• Is curious, flexible, and creative
• Has a strong base knowledge of local flora and fauna or a willingness to learn
• Has completed coursework in forest schooling, nature-based education, or similar
• Has practical skills in fire-making, bush craft, and/or similar
• Is experienced with emergent curriculum, planning loosely, and teaching “off script”
• Has a back pocket of ideas for engaging students, redirecting behavior, and activities
• Approaches challenges with calm and a sense of humor