The Boston Nature Center is looking for a Preschool Teacher (DEEC teacher qualified) who possesses the following dispositions and skills:
- A love of nature and teaching outdoors with children ages 3 to 5 years old
- Ability to plan and implement a developmentally appropriate, inquiry-based, emergent curriculum based on current research and knowledge of child development, while adhering to Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care regulations
- A deep respect for the competencies of young children
- The ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and families; must have excellent communication skills and a warm, professional relationship with children, families and the education team
- Experience observing and documenting children’s learning through the use of notes, photos, newsletters, video, etc.
- The ability to incorporate early literacy and numeracy learning into nature-based long and short term projects and investigations
- The ability to create and maintain beautiful and inspiring learning environments. These include the gardens, natural play areas and indoor classrooms
Responsibilities
- Provide a physically and emotionally safe environment for young children in both indoor and outdoor settings
- Develop and implement a curriculum that reflects the needs of the children, developmentally appropriate standards for early childhood education and the mission of Mass Audubon
- Follow protocols established by Boston Nature Center and all other preschool regulations
- Help maintain the physical environment by contributing to housekeeping tasks as needed
- Spend significant time outdoors with the students during all seasons
- Participate in Parent/Teacher Conferences and community engagement activities
- Maintain schedule as determined by the Preschool Director
Qualifications
- EEC Preschool Teacher
- Experience and educational background in environmental and science education preferred
- Familiarity with inquiry-based education and a constructivist, project based approach
- Familiarity with state early childhood standards
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to work cooperatively and independently required
- Demonstrated ability to promote and respect diversity of ethnic, cultural, linguistic backgrounds and, physical and mental disabilities
- Demonstrated interpersonal skills and commitment to helping others grow in understanding of and concern for the environment and people’s relationship to it
- Ability to lead walks on trails, current first aid/CPR or willing to obtain
- Successful candidates will need to pass a back records check (CORI, SORI and Fingerprinting)
Compensation and Benefits
Salary: $16.00-17.50 an hour based on experience. Full time (40 hours) plus full time benefits.
How to Apply
Please send your resume and cover letter to:
Claire Harris, Preschool Director
charris@massaudubon.org