Outdoor Preschool Lead Teacher/ Program Director

OUTDOOR PRESCHOOL LEAD TEACHER/ PROGRAM DIRECTOR

2023-2024 School Year

Summary

Fidalgo Nature School is seeking a Lead Teacher for our all-outdoor preschool program for youth ages 3-6 at Bowman Bay in Deception Pass State Park, Washington State.

This position requires 35-40 hours per week. The date commitment is August 1, 2023 through June 26, 2024. If possible, the hired individual may start before that time with limited hours to shadow our current Lead Teacher. School times are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:00am- 2:00pm and Wednesdays from 9:00am until 4:00pm. Administrative hours are largely flexible. 

Our licensed, nature-based school aims to provide high-quality education, grounded in emergent outdoor play. The outdoor classroom presents an engaging, dynamic environment for this; our teachers are an essential part of helping students develop a sense of connection with nature, explore themes of compassion, respect and stewardship, and learn through exploration and play. We operate on Coast Salish land, and Indigenous life, past and present, is an important part of what students learn about at Fidalgo Nature School. The Since Time Immemorial curriculum is embedded in our program.

We are committed to hiring and retaining staff with a diverse range of experiences and creating an equitable environment and community. Please note: We strongly encourage applications from people of color, immigrants, male-identifying educators, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIAA2+ community and other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups. 

Lead Teacher Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include

• Being the Lead for medical emergencies, fire, disaster evacuation and emergency preparedness plans.
• Create an inviting and emotionally safe classroom meeting the cultural, behavioral and physical needs of our students and staff.
• Working cooperatively with Assistant Teachers and Aides to create developmentally appropriate curriculum and activities.
• Student protection, guidance, and discipline techniques include following individual health care or special needs plans.
• Track the development of each individual child, maintain student records and lead parent/teacher conferences including twice yearly student progress reports.
• Leading student enrollment, invoicing and Procare software management where student records are maintained.
• Purchase and maintain program supplies.
• Oversee food service.
• Assist students in the restroom and do standing diaper changes.
• Ensure that the classroom operates within the guidelines and standards of the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, & Families (DCYF).
• Maintains staff schedules.
• Reports to the Executive Director and attends weekly meetings. 
• Maintains consistent and positive open communication with preschool families, children, co-teacher, Executive Director, board and partners.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

18 years or older
Early Childhood Education State Certificate

• Commitment to integrating early childhood education with outdoor education.
• Wilderness First Responder or complete upon hiring. $850 reimbursement if needed.
• Have two years of experience as a teacher of children ages 3-6 years and at least six months of experience in administration or management.
• Ability to work outside in various weather conditions including winter.
• Shows genuine warmth and respect for children’s feelings, abilities, and differences.
  Openness to learn about and support equity in education with an anti-bias approach.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs, swim, hike comfortably, as well as twist, bend, and kneel to interact with young children.

 

Desired Qualifications

Bilingual: Spanish, ASL, or other languages to be used in the classroom.

• Experience teaching, coaching or leading preschool-aged children outside.
• Understanding of Indigenous Nation sovereignty, history, culture, and local communities.
• Knowledge of natural history/science, plant/animal identification, knowledge of agricultural practices, trail building or land stewardship, 4H experience and other experiences that have allowed you to connect with nature.
• Emergency preparedness and response training such as EMT or Lifeguard.

 

Pre-Service Requirements

Portable Background Check through the WA State DCYF MERIT system (reimbursement available if needed)

• Record of negative TB test within last 12 months (reimbursement available if needed)
• Record or exemption letter for MMR immunization, proof of measles immunity, or medical history of measles
  Compensation:

 

This non-exempt, hourly position pays $23 per hour. Paid school holidays, spring and winter break, as well as paid time off, which accrues at a rate of 1 hour per 40 hours worked. We offer a SIMPLE IRA plan with a non-elective contribution equal to 2% of compensation. There is an annual $100 gear stipend. 

How to Apply

Please complete an application at: https://www.fidalgonatureschool.com/careers 

Send questions to

molly@fidalgonatureschool.com or call #360-375-3809

 

About Fidalgo Nature School 

Fidalgo Nature School’s mission is to provide quality, accessible, nature-based education for children in the local community, fostering their sense of belonging in the natural world and a lifelong connection with the outdoors.

Play is central to high-quality early childhood education programs. The kind of play that leads to learning is characteristically self-chosen and directed by the child, which allows children to explore their own theories about how the world works. Children are deeply engaged in this style of learning because it is interesting and meaningful to them. 

Building on what children already know, teachers provide opportunities to discover more and dig deeper. The curriculum is lively and always developing rather than pre-planned. The learning process is documented in various ways to make what children are wondering about visible.

Fidalgo Nature School is committed to a curriculum that reflects the identities of the children, families, and staff that make up our Skagit/Island county communities with a focus on the children’s interactions with each other, the community and the natural world. 

Our programs currently serve babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. For more information about our school, please see www.fidalgonatureschool.com.

 

Discrimination Policy

Fidalgo Nature School provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

 

This program participates in Early Achievers.