Benefits eligible staff at Mass Audubon may elect to enroll in medical, dental, and vision plans. Mass Audubon also offers disability and life insurance plans, a retirement plan through MetLife, and Flexible Spending Account options. Mass Audubon employment also includes access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and the Reciprocity Agreement through the Consortium of Non-Profit Arts/Cultural/Environmental Organizations of New England. Mass Audubon employees also enjoy 13 paid holidays (holidays may shift annually due to where days fall within calendar).
Internal Number: 1252
About This Position Located on the grounds of the Boston Nature Center in Mattapan, we have access to 67-acres of wetland, meadows and forests. The students and staff spend their days exploring and investigating the natural world through multi-sensory, hands-on, nature-based science curriculum.
Candidates for this position must possess a love of nature and teaching outdoors with children ranging in ages 3 to 6 years. This is a full-time year-round position, so come and join us for all four seasons. Application Instructions Please submit a resume and cover letter with your ADP application.
Responsibilities
Provide a physically and emotionally safe environment for young children in both indoor and outdoor settings
Maintain clear communication with the co-teachers and share teaching amongst the co-teaching faculty team
Responsible for engaging parents/caregivers in conversations about children’s challenging behaviors and teams with the Director to plan meetings with parents to explore appropriate strategies, interventions, and possible collaboration with outside consultants
Responsible for emotional and physical health and safety of students and completing accident reports/injury forms as needed as well as medication logs
The Lead Teacher is charged with keeping current with relevant and ongoing changes in Mass Audubon, Sanctuary-based, and MA Department of Early Education and Care policies and regulations as well as the Mass Audubon mission and action agenda
Assess and document student development in the 5 domains; complete progress reports in December and May and conduct parent-teacher team conferences, as scheduled by Preschool Director
Help work rotating schedules from 7:30am-3:30pm, 8:00am-4:00pm and 10:00am-6:00pm
Follow protocols established by Boston Nature Center and EEC regulations
Maintain the physical environment by contributing to classroom housekeeping tasks as needed and storing personal belongings away from preschool program space
Enhance the physical space by thoughtfully placing child-initiated art, emergent language poems, emergent math charts and graphs, photographs of nature, students/families in class community, murals and other learning centers that reflect a nature-based curriculum
Conducts fire drills, fill out accident forms and medication log as needed per MA EEC regulations
Observe and document children’s learning through the use of notes and assessment tools
Spend significant time outdoors with the students during all seasons
Participate in Parent/Teacher Conferences and community engagement activities
Acknowledge and respect diversity and promote inclusion of all people regardless of ethnic, cultural, linguistic backgrounds, gender identity, sexual orientation, and physical and mental disabilities
Qualifications At Mass Audubon, our highest priority is finding the best candidate for the job. Research has shown that people of color and women are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t believe they meet every one of the qualifications described in a job description. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our described qualifications or you have a less traditional background. We are looking for applicants with the following qualifications:
Must Haves
MA EEC Lead Teacher Certification
Excellent writing and communication skills and ability to work cooperatively and independently
Interest and/or experience in nature-based, emergent, and anti-bias teaching in early childhood education
Three employment references
Ability to pass a background records check (Fingerprinting)
Nice to Haves
Current First Aid/CPR certification or willing to obtain
Mass Audubon is the largest nature-based conservation organization in New England. Founded in 1896 by two women who fought for the protection of birds, Mass Audubon carries on their legacy by focusing on the greatest challenges facing the environment today: the loss of biodiversity, inequitable access to nature, and climate change. With the help of our 140,000 members and supporters, we protect wildlife, conserve and restore resilient land, advocate for impactful environmental policies, offer nationally recognized education programs for adults and children, and provide endless opportunities to experience the outdoors at our wildlife sanctuaries. Explore, find inspiration, and take action at www.massaudubon.org.