Overview:  Boston Outdoor Preschool Network is growing!  We build joyful communities of children and teachers connected to each other and 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 eager to build community and express their creativity outdoors at the beautiful Arnold Arboretum.

Position Description:

Location: Outdoors at the Arnold Arboretum
Start date: September 2020
Hours: 18 hours/week (teach from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday through Friday, plus 3 hours/week for admin tasks)

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Nurture the spirit and curiosity of each child while building strong relationships with parents 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, colleagues, and the wider community
• Use daily written documentation as a tool for communication, reflection, new learning, and advocacy
• Mentor interns and volunteers
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• At least 3 years of experience as a Lead Preschool Teacher
• Passion for the natural world and ability to convey a sense of awe and wonder to the children
• Ability to stimulate the inherent curiosity children have about nature, and expand on it with emergent and place-based curriculum
• Strong classroom management skills and ability to maintain a safe learning environment
• 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
• Bonus points: experience in Environmental Education or familiarity with anti-bias education

Additional Information:

We are also hiring for similar positions in Wellesley and the North End.  Please inquire for details.

Hiring process is rolling; please apply at your earliest convenience. 

Candidates who add to our diverse community are encouraged to apply.