Seasonal Educators

The Children’s Museum Group (TCMG) with campuses in West Hartford and Canton, Connecticut offers hands-on fun with science and nature for children and families, school and community groups, and home schooled children. At the Museum, Nature Center, Preschool and in classrooms and community spaces across Connecticut, we encourage children of all ages to become creative thinkers and lifelong learners. TCMG strives to be a premier provider of experiential learning content for children and a forward-looking, adaptable place where children and adults feel safe to explore, imagine, discover, create, and fail. Our unique Children’s Museum Preschool, co-located on our West Hartford campus, integrates science experiences into early childhood learning. Roaring Brook Nature Center in Canton, completes the TCMG with its skilled environmental educators, nature exhibits, pollinator gardens, animal sanctuary including birds of prey, wildlife rehabilitation clinic, and outdoor trails.

Spring and Summer Seasonal Educators

Multiple Seasonal Educator positions are currently available at our West Hartford and Canton, CT locations. The length of the position and required hours will differ depending on the specific role and site. All seasonal educator applicants should have a minimum of two years of college-level studies or relevant experience in; physics, chemistry, earth science, agriculture/horticulture, environmental or biological sciences, science education, or elementary education. Experience engaging children in informal learning environments is expected along with strong communication skills. Applicants must be willing to commit to the duration of the position as stated in the descriptions below. All applicants must successfully pass a background check.

Seasonal STEAM Educators – West Hartford Campus

Seasonal STEAM Educators will work alongside our Year-Round Education Team to prepare and deliver hands-on STEAM-focused education programs at schools, libraries, camps, and other community locations throughout Connecticut. Specific roles may include working with under-resourced families through our “Bringing STEAM to the Neighborhoods” initiative, providing daily STEAM enrichment programming for summer school students, and presenting outreach programs from our large program catalogue. Educators will be trained on current Museum curriculum and be able to collaborate on the development of new informal science curricula and hands-on activities utilizing the Museum’s unique educational resources including live animals, robots, and other scientific equipment. Educators will work closely with the Education Team to create and deliver age-appropriate, positive learning experiences designed to meet the Museum’s mission of inspiring life-long learning among children and their caregivers.

Essential Skills and Functions:

• Must be a dynamic presenter who can comfortably present effective, age-appropriate, and engaging lessons to diverse audiences.
• Must demonstrate the ability to manage participant behavior, mediate minor conflicts, and prioritize safety in group settings.
• Must demonstrate a solid understanding of early childhood through middle school level of STEAM subjects and topics including but not limited to: physics, chemistry, earth science, biology, engineering, math, technology, art, astronomy, and environmental science.
• Expected to maintain and inventory equipment and supplies used in programming.
• Must have experience or willingness to learn how to handle and present with live animals during presentations.
• Must project a positive attitude with both customers and co-workers.
• Must be able to lift 40 pounds of education equipment into and out of vehicles and within assigned teaching spaces. Access to teaching spaces will require the ability to bring equipment and supplies up and down stairs and be outdoors.
• Travels to schools and other community locations to present outreach programs at their site.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Candidates should have a minimum of two years of college-level studies or career experience in; physics, chemistry, earth science, agriculture/horticulture, environmental or biological sciences, science education, or elementary education.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and clean driving record. Access to a reliable and insured vehicle is required for offsite travel.
• This position is considered seasonal at approximately 40 hours per week and will fall between mid-June and mid to late August. Only applicants with consistent availability during this time will be considered for this role.

This position reports to the Director of Education and works collaboratively with staff at the Museum in West Hartford.

Lead Teachers – Roaring Brook Nature Center, Canton

Lead Teachers will work with the Roaring Brook Nature Center team to create, implement and evaluate one-week, hands-on, place-based curriculum designed to connect children with the natural world. With the help of all of the Nature Center’s resources including miles of trails and live animals, Lead Teachers will lead a full morning of programming, blending education and recreation in the out of doors. Lead Teachers will work closely with an Assistant Teacher to supervise and ensure the safety of all participants while creating a fun, engaging, and memorable summer experience. Lead Teachers will take a lead role in planning, teaching, and evaluating each program week with the help of an Assistant Teacher.

Essential Skills and Functions:

• Must be a dynamic presenter who can comfortably present effective, age-appropriate, and engaging lessons to diverse audiences.
• Must be a creative, innovative educator with experience developing engaging outdoor curricula on a variety of nature-based topics.
• Must demonstrate a solid understanding of early childhood through middle school level of STEAM subjects and topics including but not limited to: biological, geological, environmental and physical sciences.
• Must demonstrate the ability to manage participant behavior, mediate minor conflicts, and prioritize safety in program settings.
• Must have experience or willingness to learn how to handle and present with live animals during presentations.
• Must project a positive attitude with both customers and co-workers.
• Must be able to carry heavy loads of up to 20 pounds and hike uneven terrain and be comfortable working outside during summer months in all kinds of weather.
• Knowledgeable about local flora and fauna and comfortable in nature
• Observant, caring, reliable, and friendly
• Patient and enjoys working with children
• Other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Candidates should have a minimum of two years of college-level studies or relevant experience in; earth science, agriculture/horticulture, environmental or biological sciences, science education, or elementary education.
• Experience working in camp, youth programs, recreation, out-of-school settings, or in a related field with children
• First Aid Certification and Epi-Pen Trained Preferred
• This position is considered seasonal at approximately 25 hours per week and will fall between mid-June and mid to late August. Program runs Monday through Fridays from 9 AM – 12 PM. Teacher hours are 8 AM- 1 PM. Note: July 4th week is a three day, Monday-Wednesday week. Only applicants with consistent availability during this time will be considered for this role.

This position reports to the Roaring Brook Nature Center Director and works collaboratively with staff at the Nature Center in Canton.

Assistant Teachers – Roaring Brook Nature Center, Canton

Assistant Teachers will work with the Roaring Brook Nature Center team to create and implement hands-on, place-based curriculum designed to connect children with the natural world. Using all of the Nature Center’s resources including miles of trails and live animals, Assistant Teachers will help lead a full morning of programming, blending education and recreation in the out of doors. Assistant Teachers will work closely with a Lead Teacher to supervise and ensure the safety of all participants while creating a fun, engaging, and memorable summer experience. Assistant Teachers will take an active role in planning, teaching, and evaluating each program week with the help of a Lead Teacher.

Essential Skills and Functions:

• Must be a dynamic presenter who can comfortably present effective, age-appropriate, and engaging lessons to diverse audiences.
• Must be a creative, innovative educator with experience developing engaging outdoor curricula on a variety of nature-based topics.
• Must demonstrate a solid understanding of early childhood through middle school level of STEAM subjects and topics including but not limited to: biological, geological, environmental and physical sciences.
• Must demonstrate the ability to manage participant behavior, mediate minor conflicts, and prioritize safety in program settings.
• Must have experience or willingness to learn how to handle and present with live animals during presentations.
• Must project a positive attitude with both customers and co-workers.
• Must be able to carry heavy loads of up to 20 pounds and hike uneven terrain and be comfortable working outside during summer months in all kinds of weather.
• Knowledgeable about local flora and fauna and comfortable in nature
• Observant, caring, reliable, and friendly
• Patient and enjoys working with children
• Other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Candidates should have a minimum of a high school diploma and prior experience in; earth science, agriculture/horticulture, environmental or biological sciences, science education, or elementary education.
• Experience working in camp, youth programs, recreation, out-of-school settings, or in a related field with children is a plus
• First Aid Certification and Epi-Pen Trained (Preferred)
• This position is considered seasonal at approximately 25 hours per week and will fall between mid-June and mid to late August. Program runs Monday through Fridays from 9 AM – 12 PM. Teacher hours are 8 AM- 1 PM. Note: July 4th week is a three day, Monday-Wednesday week. Only applicants with consistent availability during this time will be considered for this role.