Forest Preschool Teacher

Wauhatchie School Inc.; Lookout Valley (TN); On-site; USD 22,041 - 24,796; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays aligning with school calendar

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Wauhatchie School Inc. in Lookout Valley, TN is seeking a passionate Forest Preschool Teacher for our half-day nature immersion program for children ages 3-5. This role emphasizes a play-based, child-centered approach to learning in a nurturing outdoor environment.

The ideal candidate should possess experience working with young learners and a love for nature. They will be responsible for creating engaging activities, documenting children's progress, and maintaining communication with parents. The position runs from August to May with a pay range of $16-$18 per hour.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children aged 3-5 in a school, camp, or organized setting.
• Familiarity with outdoor learning and early childhood methodologies.
• Ability to work in a team and communicate effectively.

Responsibilities

• Create a nurturing outdoor learning environment.
• Use diverse activities to engage and develop children's abilities.
• Maintain communication with parents and document children's progress.

Skills

Play-based learning

Child-centered experiences

Collaboration

Communication

Outdoor learning

Education

Associates or Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education

Job description

Wauhatchie Forest School offers families a holistic, nature-based approach to education through programs that foster collaboration, curiosity, creativity, connection, and a profound sense of belonging – empowering learners to become compassionate leaders and active contributors to a vibrant community and a sustainable world. Wauhatchie School is located at four campuses around Chattanooga, TN.

Pre-K classes for our youngest learners build on the innate sense of wonder children have about the natural world. While immersed in the forest, Pre-K teachers are fierce protectors of childhood. We encourage play, practice kindness, and express ourselves as individuals as we all grow together. This slow, experiential approach to learning through exploration, risk-taking, social & emotional support, and gentle invitations to expand understanding creates a foundation of curiosity, endless resilience, and a joy in learning that our students carry forth into the rest of their educational journey.

Job Description

Wauhatchie Forest School is seeking part time employees for our half-day nature immersion program for children ages 3-5. We seek nature loving educators who are intentional and reflective in their work with children and who are looking to grow professionally through mentorship and teamwork within a supportive community of outdoor practitioners. The ideal candidate has a background working with young learners, is dedicated to child-directed and play-based learning, practices a growth mindset, and holds a love for nature. The Forest Preschool Teacher will work with a co-teacher to create an optimal learning environment for students and will spend the entire class session outdoors in all weather, including hiking and moderate physical challenges. Employment is 10 months, from August to May with the possibility of summer camp employment available.

Responsibilities

• Using a variety of activities (songs, stories, art, movement, manipulatives, etc.) to motivate, stimulate, and help grow children’s knowledge & abilities
• Encouraging connection and awareness of nature, others, and self
• Meeting the emotional, social, and physical needs of each child
• Maintaining daily open communication with parents by checking in at dropoff/pickup times, posting photos, and sharing weekly short narratives on our school app
• Same-day documenting and distributing of accident and incident reports to parents and administration
• Overseeing a daily site assessment of the outdoor site before each session, making sure all hazards are properly assessed and amended to provide a safe environment for children
• Documenting and recording children’s behaviors, progressions, and development in nature journals to share with the parents and administration twice per year
• Working with a teaching team to collaborate on nature immersion activities and best practices in forest school ethos

Attendance at all planned school events, weekdays and 2-3 weekends per year

Attendance at all inservice & professional development days and all staff meetings

Demonstrate loyalty and commitment to Wauhatchie School and all staff members as a positive team player

Participation in reflective journaling and ongoing education of forest school philosophy and ethos

Qualifications

• Documented experience working with children aged 3-5 in a school, camp, or other organized setting.

Ability and desire to encourage experiences that are play-based and child-centered.

Deep appreciation for and connection to nature.

A mindset of ongoing growth and learning in your teaching practice.

Familiarity with outdoor learning; some familiarity with Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, Montessori, and other early childhood methodologies is preferred.

Highly relational and effective collaborator and communicator

Associates or Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education is preferred, but not required.

Physical Ability: Able to teach for extended periods of time outdoors in all weather, with hiking and moderate physical challenges, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Additional Information

Salary & Schedule

Pay range is $16-$18 an hour depending on experience.

Paid holidays, including fall, winter, & spring breaks aligning with the Hamilton County School Calendar

General daily schedule is from 8:30am - 1:30pm

Teachers are expected to attend all inservice & professional development days

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.