Forest Based K1 Microschool Lead Teacher

THE VILLAGE NEST; Eliot (ME); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Competitive salary

Employee discounts

Job summary

A local educational institution in Eliot, Maine, is seeking a Lead Teacher to design and facilitate an outdoor, play-based learning experience for kindergarten and first-grade students. The ideal candidate must have over three years of experience with early elementary children, possess excellent communication skills, and be comfortable teaching outdoors year-round. This role emphasizes strong relationships with children and families, supporting joy and growth in a nature-rich environment through innovative teaching methods.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience teaching or working with early elementary-aged children (K–1).
• Experience with outdoor education and play-based learning.
• Demonstrated ability to align instruction with state learning standards.
• Comfort working outdoors year-round in a forest or natural setting
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Ability to lead a small group with confidence, warmth, and flexibility

Responsibilities

• Design and implement a play-based curriculum for K–1 students.
• Lead daily learning experiences outdoors in varied weather.
• Maintain individual student portfolios and documentation.
• Differentiate learning experiences to meet the needs of individual students
• Maintain portfolios and document learning for state development credit
• Lead daily outdoor learning experiences and enforce safety protocols
• Foster respect for nature and ecological awareness
• Build strong relationships with students and families
• Collaborate with assistants, co-teachers, and program directors

Skills

Teaching experience with early elementary-aged children

Understanding of child development

Communication skills

Ability to work outdoors year-round

Small group leadership

Curriculum alignment

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Education or related field

Valid Maine Teacher’s License

First Aid/CPR

Forest school experience

Job description

Benefits

• Paid time off
• Competitive salary
• Employee discounts

About Our Microschool

Our forest-based microschool is a small, learner-centered K–1 program rooted in outdoor education, play-based learning, and developmental appropriateness. We believe children learn best through meaningful experiences, curiosity, and strong relationships—with each other, with educators, and with the natural world. Our program prioritizes joy, wonder, emotional growth, and foundational academic skills in a supportive, nature-rich environment.

Position Overview

The Lead Teacher designs and facilitates a developmentally appropriate, forest-based learning experience for a mixed-age group of kindergarten and first-grade students. This role is responsible for ensuring that children are supported in meeting the Maine State Learning and Development Milestones and that learning is documented to parents and through individual student portfolios for state development credit.

Responsibilities

Curriculum & Instruction

• Design and implement an emergent, play-based, and inquiry-driven curriculum aligned with K–1 developmental and academic goals
• Integrate literacy, numeracy, science, and social-emotional learning into outdoor, hands-on experiences
• Use observation and documentation to assess student growth and guide instruction
• Differentiate learning experiences to meet the needs of individual students

Assessment, Documentation & Portfolios

• Maintain individual student portfolios, particularly for children ages 6 and older
• Document learning using work samples, photographs, narrative observations, and milestone alignment
• Prepare and manage documentation required for Maine state development credit
• Communicate assessment progress and portfolio outcomes with families

Outdoor & Forest School Leadership

• Lead daily learning experiences primarily outdoors in varied weather conditions
• Establish and maintain safety protocols, routines, and risk-aware practices
• Foster respect for nature, stewardship, and ecological awareness
• Model curiosity, resilience, and problem-solving in outdoor settings

Classroom & Community Culture

• Build strong, trusting relationships with students and families
• Create a warm, inclusive, and emotionally safe learning environment
• Support social development, conflict resolution, and self-regulation skills
• Communicate regularly with families through conferences, documentation, and updates

Program Collaboration & Operations

• Collaborate with assistants, co-teachers, or program directors as needed
• Participate in planning meetings, professional development, and program events
• Support daily logistics such as attendance, supplies, and transitions
• Maintain required documentation and licensing or program standards (if applicable)

Qualifications

Required

• 3+ years of experience teaching or working with early elementary-aged children (K–1)
• Strong understanding of child development and play-based learning
• Demonstrated ability to align instruction with state learning standards or milestones
• Comfort working outdoors year-round in a forest or natural setting
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Ability to lead a small group with confidence, warmth, and flexibility

Preferred

• Valid Maine Teacher’s License (preferred but not required)
• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Early Childhood Education, Environmental Education, or related field
• Experience with forest school, outdoor education, Reggio-inspired, Montessori, or progressive education models
• First Aid/CPR certification (or willingness to obtain)

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is joyful, adaptable, and deeply committed to honoring childhood. They value curiosity over compliance, understand that learning is not confined to four walls, and see nature as a co-teacher. They are confident translating rich, outdoor learning experiences into meaningful documentation aligned with Maine expectations and thrive in small, relationship-driven learning environments. They are comfortable with muddy boots, big questions, and the unpredictability of working with young children outdoors.

How to Apply

• Resume
• Brief cover letter describing your K–1 teaching experience and approach to outdoor or experiential learning
• [Optional] Sample lesson plan, documentation, or portfolio artifact