Part-Time Nature Preschool Teacher — Outdoor Learning

Mass Audubon; Ipswich (MA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 33,000; Part time

Job summary

Mass Audubon’s Ipswich River Nature Preschool in Ipswich, MA is seeking a part-time Preschool Teacher to join a collaborative teaching team. You will teach one or more preschool classes, develop curriculum with co-teachers, write progress reports twice a year, and maintain strong family communication while guiding children in a nature-based program.

The role emphasizes outdoor learning, emergent and play-based approaches, and adherence to MA EEC guidelines.

Qualifications

• Massachusetts EEC Preschool Teacher certification required.
• At least 1 year of experience teaching young children.
• Excellent writing and communication skills and ability to work cooperatively and independently.
• Interest and/or experience in nature-based, emergent, play-based and anti-bias early childhood education.
• Must pass multiple background checks (CORI/DCF/SORI) and fingerprints.
• Three employment references.
• First aid/CPR preferred but not necessary (training provided).

Responsibilities

• Provides a physically and emotionally safe environment for young children both within an indoor and outdoor environment
• Maintains clear communication with co-teachers and share teaching amongst the co-teaching faculty team
• Creates and maintains a healthy, safe, and positive environment for children using best practices in early childhood nature-based education
• Works with other faculty colleagues to develop and steward a sense of community, belonging, and connection to nature in the preschool community
• Responsible for emotional and physical health and safety of students and completing accident reports/injury forms as needed as well as medication logs; assist in communicating incidents with parent/guardian at the end of class, obtain signature and provide photocopies for parent and child’s preschool file
• Assess and document student development; complete progress reports twice a year and assist in conducting parent-teacher team conferences, as scheduled by Preschool Director
• Maintain the physical environment by contributing to classroom housekeeping tasks as needed and storing personal belongings away from preschool program space
• Enhance the physical space by thoughtfully placing child-initiated art, emergent language poems, emergent math charts and graphs, photographs of nature, students/families in class community, murals and other learning centers that reflect a nature-based curriculum
• Keeps up with relevant and ongoing changes in policies and guidelines within Mass Audubon, specific Mass Audubon sanctuary, and within MA Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) policies and regulations
• Attend to all required safety and risk management requirements including, but not limited to conducting fire drills, filling out accident forms and medication logs, and informing Preschool Director of safety concerns as noted in daily activities
• Must be comfortable exploring the natural world in a variety of weather throughout the year for 2 or more hours a day
• Responsible and accountable to all Mass Audubon/MA EEC health and safety policies and guidelines
• Always maintains communication with co-teachers and other relevant staff throughout the day
• Meets weekly with teacher team to plan curriculum /troubleshoot challenges as applicable
• Communicate with families about their child’s development and daily learning and play experiences including working with teaching staff to plan and conduct parent/teacher conferences
• Professionally communicate with families about classroom activities, lessons, and school community (i.e. written class message or class newsletter)
• Engage with parents/caregivers in conversations about children’s challenging behaviors under the direction of the Preschool Director; be a part of preparing and planning meetings with parents/caregivers to explore appropriate strategies, interventions and possible collaboration with outside consultants

Skills

Writing skills

Communication skills

Nature-based education interest

Background checks readiness

Education

Massachusetts EEC Preschool Teacher certification

1 year of experience teaching young children

Job description

Mass Audubon’s Ipswich River Nature Preschool in Ipswich, MA is seeking a part-time Preschool Teacher to join a collaborative teaching team. You will teach one or more preschool classes, develop curriculum with co-teachers, write progress reports twice a year, and maintain strong family communication while guiding children in a nature-based program.

The role emphasizes outdoor learning, emergent and play-based approaches, and adherence to MA EEC guidelines.