Wild Roots Preschool Teacher

Responsible for planning and teaching a class of twelve children ages 3-5 in a fully outdoor environment at Wild Roots Nature Preschool.

Supervision Received: Works under the direction of the Backcountry Environmental Education Coordinator for Early Childhood Programs and other Backcountry Wilderness Area staff.

Supervision Exercised: May help supervise and guide a teacher’s aide working with the same class.

The Backcountry Wilderness Area’s mission is to improve wildlife habitat, inspire the next generation of environmental stewards, and ignite a lifelong love of the outdoors for all. Located at 5,920 feet in the heart of the Front Range, our 8,200-acre campusfeaturing outdoor learning spaces, natural play spaces, a vegetable garden, chicken coop, donkey and goats, horse corrals, state-of-the-art archery range, fire pits and picnic tables, and preschool centers complete with a water table, mud kitchen, easels, and sensory tableserves as the ultimate learning environment.

Backcountry Wild Roots Nature Preschool is an outdoor-based early childhood education program for children ages 3-5. Our program offers an immersive experience in nature with a play-based approach to learning. Our flexible outdoor learning environment allows for an emergent curriculum, with teachers acting as guides, noticing each child’s observations and interests.

Wild Roots Nature Preschool operates under CDEC’s single-skill exemption. Our curriculum is designed to focus on specific weekly single-skills related to a monthly theme that follows the seasons and rhythms of the Earth. Monthly offerings build upon one another, allowing the school community to grow and strengthen. Classes are offered in 3-week or 4-week (monthly) sessions, and the typical school day runs from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: The following examples of duties are intended to be illustrative only and are not intended to be all inclusive.

• Enthusiasm and a passion for early childhood education in an outdoor or nature-based setting
• Must provide a safe and welcoming environment for all children and families
• An ability, and excitement, to implement emergent curriculum, following the needs and interests of each child
• Facilitate child-led inquiry and explorations in nature in all types of weather
• An ability to facilitate true child-led play
• Responsible for the health and safety of all twelve children in the class
• Coordinate and work alongside another teacher or aide
• Understand and use developmentally appropriate practices for each child
• Maintain and organize all materials to keep a tidy appearance and meet all Human Services guidelines
• Communicate professionally and warmly with parents each morning and afternoon
• Performs other duties as assigned and required
• Wild Roots Nature Preschool Teachers are responsible for maintaining high standards of health and safety for a class of 12 children ages 3-5. Teachers use an emergent curriculum to follow the needs and interests of each child, and understand play is how children learn best.

HRCA Backcountry Wilderness Area is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Qualifications

• Candidates must be 21 years of age or older
• Must have an interest in, respect for, and ability to work with preschool aged children
• Previous experience working in early childhood education is required
• Previous childcare experience in a nature-based setting is strongly preferred
• Must meet the requirements of Lead Teacher according to the Department of Human Services and must be able to provide proof of education and experience at the time of interview
• Must have knowledge in child development and Developmentally Appropriate Practices
• An active understanding of emergent curriculum, and an ability to develop activities around each child’s needs and interests.
• Ability to act as a guide in a play-based, child-led environment
• Must have a passion for nature and the natural world and a knowledge of basic ecological principles
• Ability to plan, coordinate, and teach age-appropriate lessons and activities
• Ability to adapt instructions to meet a wide variety of learners
• Must be able to collaborate and teach alongside other teachers
• Ability to supervise and be responsible for the health and safety of up to 12 children
• Strong work ethic and motivation to contribute positively to the Backcountry Wilderness Area at large
• Strong communication skills with ability to effectively interact with people of all backgrounds
• Ability to work in a busy environment with many distractions
• Must be cool-tempered and friendly
• Current adult and pediatric First Aid and CPR certifications required, or ability to obtain before the first day of employment
• Valid driver’s license and a clean driving record
• Must pass pre-employment background check and drug screening

Expected Hours: 8-16 hours/week (1 to 2 days / week)

Salary: $19-28/hour; a combination of professional work experience, experience supervising children, and education will determine hiring rate