JOB SUMMARY

This job is a lead teaching and caregiving position for the Wild Earth Preschool program, a nature preschool at the Dallas Zoo. Classes are mixed-age groups of children ages 3-5 years old who attend full or partial week care between the hours of 6:40 am and 6:20 pm. Equipped with a strong background in early childhood development or a related field and the ability to inspire children to connect with nature through play and exploration, the teacher fosters positive relationships with children, parents, and staff to benefit whole-child growth. Together with the teaching team, this position is responsible for planning, implementing, and documenting learning; maintaining safety and regulation standards; and participating in nature-based activities with the children in all safe weather conditions. Teachers are organized, responsible, joyful, energetic, flexible, child-focused, safety-conscious, and enjoy being outdoors year round for the majority of the day. This position will also take responsibility for the preschool center in the absence of the Early Childhood Manager.

Regular working hours, typically 40 per week, are scheduled Monday – Friday though some weekends and evenings will be required for family events and staff meetings. Hours may vary. This is a year round, full time, non-exempt position with benefits.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Teaching and Curriculum:

• Facilitate developmentally appropriate nature-based preschool programming.
• Incorporate project based learning in an emergent curriculum that follows National Association for Educators of Young Children (NAEYC) and North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) Guidelines.
• Plan learning opportunities based on child interests, including outdoor activities, play, art, music, dance and drama, language, math, science, technology, social/emotional, gross and fine motor.
• Help young children with self-help skills in dressing, grooming, bathroom activities, etc.
• Prepare environments and materials to support learning opportunities.
• Conduct formative assessments and maintain child portfolios.

Relationships:

• Create and sustain a welcoming, peaceful and joyful classroom family atmosphere.
• Develop children’s emotional, social, and behavioral skills through connection with nature, positive guidance, conflict resolution strategies, and mindfulness approaches.
• Create a culturally responsive inclusive environment for children and their families.

Physical Environment:

• Assure children’s physical and emotional safety, including following procedures in medication administration, allergy management, and authorized release.
• Maintain clean, healthy, safe outdoor and indoor environment. Ensure accurate and timely documentation of compliance logs.
• Respond to emergencies in a calm and responsible manner.
• Communicate concerns about the learning environment or children to the Preschool Manager.

Families:

• Involve families in their children’s educational growth, and encourage families to fully participate in the program.
• Positively communicate child progress with family members and other teaching staff.

Administration and Operations:

• Collaborate with parents, guardians, education staff, and other zoo departments.
• Maintain compliance with all relevant governmental, company, and departmental rules and regulations.
• Lead teaching assistants, volunteers, and aides.
• Assume the responsibilities for the center in the absence of the Early Childhood Manager.

Qualifications:

Education and experience          

• At least a CDA or Associates degree required. Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Experience working with children younger than 8 years old in a group setting required.
• College credit hours in Early Childhood Education, child psychology, or child development preferred.
• 2 years teaching experience in a licensed child care center preferred.
• Experience in nature based programming and demonstrated interest in conservation and environmental education preferred.

Knowledge and Skills 

• Knowledge of basic biologic, ecologic, geologic, natural historic concepts preferred.
• Must demonstrate strong emotional intelligence, including empathy and listening skillset.
• Must demonstrate working knowledge of hazards and risk assessment as related to the environments of young children.
• Must be flexible and willing to assist with a variety of teaching and administrative duties.
• Must be able to create a culturally responsive inclusive environment for children and their families.
• Must be able to communicate positively and effectively in English, orally and in writing. Communication in another language a plus.
• Must demonstrate computer literacy, including use of Microsoft Office Suite and email.

Working Conditions

• Must be able to work outdoors in all seasons and all types of weather conditions 60% or more of each day.
• Must be able to safely navigate a variety of surfaces, walk long distances, stand for extended periods of time, sit, kneel, stoop, crawl, twist, reach above head, climb stairs or ramps, and carry up to 50 lb.
• A typical work week is 40 hours, M-F. Hours may vary. Occasional evenings and weekends are scheduled for parent meetings, in service trainings, and/or special events.

Other

• Pediatric CPR/first aid certification required, or the ability to receive certification within 2 weeks of employment.
• Complete drug screening, background check, TB test.
• Must be able to sign DFPS form 2985 Affidavit for Applicants for Employment with a Licensed Child Care Center.
• Must have a valid TX driver’s license to operate company vehicles and reliable transportation