POSITION DESCRIPTION

TITLE:                    Preschool Teacher

REPORTS TO:          Preschool Director

STATUS:                   3/4 Time to Full Time

SALARY:                $30,000 (Pro-rated for Part Time)

BENEFITS:              Health and Dental, 403B with 3% Match, Disability and Life

                              Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick Leave, and Holidays)

START DATE:          August 24, 2020

Thorne Mission and History:

Thorne Nature Experience is a non-profit organization that is committed to building Earth stewardship by connecting kids to nature through joyful, hands-on, place-based environmental education experiences.  Thorne believes in discovery, exploration, and a connection to the natural world.  Founded in 1954, Thorne has a rich history and has reached more than 300,000 children and adults through its three current programs: In-School (including After School), Summer Camp, and the Field Trip Program.

Thorne Nature Preschool Mission:

To support the holistic development of young children and their relationship to the natural world, through joyful, hands-on, place-based, developmentally appropriate experiences that nurture the whole child and foster an emotional connection to nature.

Learn more at: www.thornenaturepreschool.org

Expectation for All Employees:

Support the Thorne mission and exhibit a commitment to:

Working collaboratively, with integrity and respect for fellow employees, associates, and our communities,
Embracing personal responsibility and accountability for your job.

Job Purpose:

The Preschool Teacher ensures the well-being of the children in the preschool program.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Teaching of preschool program- maintaining a healthy, safe, and positive environment for children utilizing nature as the organizing principal for all learning
• Assist Preschool Team with the development and implementation of daily practices and routines, as well as seasonal, place-based, emergent curriculum that promotes early childhood development and deep nature connection
• Communicate with parents about their child’s development and daily experiences; including involvement parent/teacher conferences at least twice per school year
• Participate in family events and parent education programs
• Observe and document children’s progress in the areas of their social, emotional, physical, creative, and cognitive skills and communicate with parents about their child’s abilities and goals
• Ensure the indoor and outdoor learning environments are in good condition to support safe, engaging, rich in experience, and positive child development
• Serve as the Preschool teacher for Summer Camp starting in 2021
• Attend Thorne staff and educational meetings, trainings, and professional development as schedule permits

Desired Outcomes:

• Exceptional teaching of Nature Preschool Program
• Exceptional communication with parents, staff, and children
• High level of engagement from preschool families in community events
• Achieve 90% or better positive rating of Preschool’s ability to reach learning objectives
• High level of engagement as a member of the Thorne Nature Experience team

Desired Skills and Abilities:

• Strong communication skills with parents, staff, and children
• Good knowledge and desire to learn about early childhood development, nature, science, and Colorado ecology
• Strong decision making skills to respond to risk management, emergencies, or difficult situations
• Ability and desire to create excellent place-based, child-centered, emergent curriculum
• Good organizational skills and ability to handle multiple tasks and roles, patiently and professionally
• Proficient with MS Office suite (Word, Excel, and Outlook)

Desired Behavioral Traits and Attitudes:

• Leader, team player, fun, outgoing, passionate, organized, creative, empathetic, resourceful, critical thinker, results-oriented, and self motivated.  Passionate about Thorne’s mission and environmentally concerned and aware.

Education/Experience:

• Experience working with young children and families in a preschool setting
• Minimum of Level III ECT qualified through Colorado Dept. of Early Childhood, Childcare Licensing
• CPR, First Aid, Standard Precautions, and Medication Administration certified or be willing to obtain

Job Interrelationships:

• Thorne Staff and Preschool Staff
• Parents and Families
• Preschool Students
• Volunteers and Interns
• Community Partners and Land Managers
• General Public

Physical Demands:

This position requires the ability to work outside in various weather conditions. The employee is frequently required to walk, stand, and sit for extended periods of time. This employee will occasionally climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Special Requirements:

• Must be willing to drive preschoolers in a Thorne Approved vehicle to field trips
• Additional time may be required as necessary, including occasional weekend and evening work for family events

Inclusiveness Statement:

Thorne believes that, to remain relevant as an organization and ensure access to joyful, hands-on, place-based Environmental Education experiences for all youth, its programs, leadership, and participants must reflect the range of diversity, culture, and unique differences in our community.

Anti-Discrimination Statement:

Thorne Nature Experience is an equal opportunity organization.  Thorne Nature Experience does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, age, national origin (ancestry), physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender variance or expression, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.  This Anti-Discrimination Policy applies to, but is not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers, selection of Board Members, selection of vendors, and provision of services.