Job description

Early Childhood Forest School Lead Educator

at Educatio Rad School in Livingston, Montana (30 miles outside of Bozeman)

Contact: Head of School, Sara Driscoll at sara_driscoll@educatio.life

Website: educatio.life

Position details:

● 2023-2024 school year

● Salaried position with locally competitive salary based on experience

● 12 four and five year old students with one lead and one support teacher

● Lead program development, curriculum, logistics, and communication for this new program

● Outdoor learning in all weather

● 4-day school week with Friday teacher workdays

● 9 am-2 pm with students; 2-4 pm for daily planning

Educatio’s forest school philosophy:

Cognitively, or intellectually, nature provides an ever-changing environment for children to explore and discover, engaging all of their senses, in order to build on existing knowledge and experience. In nature children learn to observe the world around them and then develop the ability to sort and classify. Nature preschools enhance social and emotional development. Students develop their social and emotional skills by interacting, discovering, creating and problem solving with other children and teachers. Imagine the conflicts that can arise when a group of children are building a fort, but that’s exactly what early childhood is about – learning how to constructively resolve conflicts. Nature provides endless opportunities for children to find wonder and in turn ask questions about the world around them. This helps build their intellectual capacity, but it also helps develop their confidence and sense of place in the world. In a nature based preschool the outdoor learning does not stop when the children cross the building’s threshold.

The right candidate will:

● have a teaching credential and/or successfully completed teacher training

● have early childhood and environmental education training and experience

● demonstrate strong leadership and organizational skills

● have flexibility, a strong work-ethic, and a commitment to building this new program

● have a passion for getting children outside

● be a co-learner with children

● comfort in using daily responsive planning to follow these child-initiated learning opportunities

● have general content knowledge, such as reading and math, and an understanding of developmentally appropriate practice

● have a strong knowledge of the natural world in the Livingston/Paradise Valley geographic setting

● believe that nature is a powerful, meaningful teacher in and of itself that is necessary for children’s overall development

● believe that children are capable, competent individuals with ideas worthy of being heard

● believe that the best curriculum emerges out of children’s experiences and ideas

● be passionate to be outside IN ALL WEATHER, for multiple hours per day

● demonstrate an understanding of asking open-ended questions, eliciting and extending children’s ideas, addressing children’s physical and emotional needs, helping children resolve conflicts, and providing direct and meaningful feedback to children

● be comfortable emphasizing play and discovery over didactic instruction, being and active participant in that play and discovery, listening to children’s voices in planning and decision-making, and having an attitude of yes

● model care and concern for natural environment

● differentiate instruction based on the academic and social-emotional needs of each student

● use non-violent communication with students, staff, and parents, grounded in kindness and celebration of students

● actively listen, get curious, and ask questions when communicating with others

● partner with students, parents, and fellow teachers to create developmental goals for students and measure their progress through clear, narrative assessment

● be an empathetic leader who values the lived experience of all community members, including students, parents, and staff

● be a social justice and equity champion who actively seeks to create equitable and inclusive learning spaces

● work collaboratively with other staff members to best support students

About Educatio:

Educatio is an accessible independent school for 4-14 year olds in Livingston, Montana. Our three schools include Educatio Early Childhood Forest (new program!), Elementary, and Middle schools. We provide a joyful, individualized, and meaningful experience for students and educators, through hands-on learning, healthy relationships to self and others, and connection to community. Centered in kindness, wellbeing, and purpose; these visionary change-agents unfold to their fullest expression - living an engaged, connected, conscious life. All community members find meaning, purpose, and value in what they are doing through project-based learning, on-going growth and discovery, and developing a love of learning. All community members build a healthy relationship to self, others, and place. We emphasize social-emotional learning, connection to our natural and built environment, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Educators, family, and students work together to build individualized learning plans for each student. Finally, all community members practice critical thinking and awareness to benefit ourselves and others. We develop citizens who will become compassionate, informed, and educated change-agents who make their communities better.

To apply, send the following to sara_driscoll@educatio.life:

● Resume

● Cover letter explaining why you're interested in working at Educatio’s Forest School, what you're looking for in your next position, your educational philosophy, and how your experience would contribute to our school

● 3 professional references

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $40,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

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