Boston Outdoor Preschool Network
Assistant Teacher in Nature-based Early Education
School Year 2023 - 2024
Join our team as an assistant teacher where you will spend your days out-of-doors in the forest fostering play and community among our students. In this role you will combine your passion for young children and the environment to foster an inclusive, safe environment for the children. Under the guidance of the lead classroom teachers, site coordinators, and administrative staff, you will encourage the development of socio-emotional skills, as well as dispositions such as resilience, perseverance, & problem solving in the children in our classes. You will have the opportunity to support the preschoolers’ learning and growth through engaging them in discussions and activities that encourage discovery and hands on learning. You will develop your own expertise and love of all weather, animals, and insects and inspire the children to become stewards in caring for their environment!
Overview:
We build joyful communities connected to each other and to their outdoor environments through discovery and play. We believe that children are intrinsically motivated to learn, and that they do so by exploring the world around them. This is the right opportunity for an aspiring educator who enjoys teaching young children outdoors snow, rain, or shine.
Locations:
We are currently recruiting for school year assistant teachers to join us at our Boston, Malden, Milton, & Wellesley locations.
Position Description:
- Our most common schedule is Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., but we encourage applicants to reach out if they can be onsite at least three days a week during this timeframe or at least two days a week from 9 AM - 3 PM.
- Funding is available through the city of Boston SuccessLink youth employment program at a rate of $15-$17/hr.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Nurture the spirit and curiosity of each child while building community. Learn about our nature-based and child-centered approach.
- Set goals for your internship with your supervisor and check in on a regular basis.
- Assist the Lead Teacher to ensure the health and safety of each child.
- Assist the Lead Teacher to develop and implement engaging nature-based early childhood curriculum that connects children with one another and to nature.
- Design and lead a project related to early childhood education, environmental education, and/or anti-bias education.
- Explore varied terrain, learn about local flora and fauna, and make music and art.
- Gracefully communicate with parents, caregivers, and the general public.
- Assist the Lead Teacher to document the children’s growth and learning.
- Attend an orientation and occasional professional development events related to nature-based early education.
- Complete state-required fingerprinting and background checks in a timely manner.
- Maintain consistent attendance and punctuality.
- Respond emails, phone calls, and text messages from their supervisors within 24 hours
- Related duties as assigned.
Skills Development:
Assistant teachers who strive to learn and grow over the course of their time at BOPN often acquire a diverse set of transferable skills that go beyond traditional classroom settings. Through your work in our program, you may develop the following skillset:
- Nature Observation & Awareness:
- Identifying local flora and fauna.
- Understanding seasonal changes and their impact on the environment.
- Developing a keen sense of observation in the natural surroundings.
- Nature-Based Arts and Crafts:
- Creating art projects using natural materials.
- Fostering creativity through outdoor artistic expressions.
- Nature Exploration & Hiking:
- Leading nature walks and hikes, emphasizing curiosity and exploration.
- Teaching basic navigation skills and map reading.
- Environmental Stewardship:
- Instilling a sense of responsibility for the environment in children.
- Nurturing a lifelong commitment to caring for and preserving the environment.
- Outdoor Team-Building:
- Promoting collaboration and communication among children.
- Outdoor Classroom Management:
- Implementing effective strategies for group management in outdoor settings.
- Adapting teaching methods to varying weather conditions.
- Outdoor Risk Assessment:
- Conducting risk assessments for outdoor activities.
- Ensuring the safety of children during nature-based experiences.
- Parent & Community Engagement:
- Communicating the benefits and philosophy of nature-based education to parents.
- Cultural Competence in Nature Education:
- Incorporating inclusive practices in outdoor education.
Qualifications:
- Must be a city of Boston resident between the ages of 14 - 24, as this position is funded through the SuccessLink grant program.
- Strong interest in nature-based early childhood education
- Eager to learn about classroom management in an outdoor setting
- Engaging and easily able to communicate with children, families, and colleagues
- Embrace a wide variety of weather conditions as unique and interesting, part of the ebb and flow of the natural rhythm and seasonal changes
- Able to hike across varied terrain while carrying supplies, including on hot and rainy days
How to Apply:
Please fill out this application form
Additional Information:
- Starting immediately through the end of May.
- Summer internships also available.
- Successful background checks are required.
- Candidates who add to our diverse community are encouraged to apply.
- Boston Outdoor Preschool Network is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.