This is a year-round position and earns vacation time as well as receives paid holidays.
Preferred Education:
2 Year Degree
Internal Number: 1236
About This Position We seek a dynamic MA certified EEC Preschool Teacher who enjoys being outdoors in nature year-round, is well versed in early childhood education practices and understands the changing social and emotional needs of preschool-aged children ages 3-5 years to participate in the opening and development Mass Audubon’s newest Nature Preschool at our Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary in Belmont. In partnership with the Lead Preschool Teacher, the Preschool Teacher co-teaches 5 days per week and helps with curriculum development, implementation, and family communications for students. They help design educational experiences for nature preschool students in accordance with Mass Audubon’s Action Agenda strategic goals and Mass Audubon’s education frameworks, guidelines, and policies. Preschool Teacher candidates must possess a strong respect for young children and families, a love of teaching young children and a strong desire to connect children and nature through teaching outside. They must possess the ability to help plan and facilitate daily multi-sensory, play and nature-based, anti-bias, emergent and developmentally appropriate curriculum, incorporating a variety of hands-on experiences as they maintain warm, professional relationships with children, their parents, and caregivers. Application Instructions Please submit a resume and cover letter with your ADP application.
Responsibilities
Work with Preschool Director and teaching team to develop and implement a curriculum that reflects the needs and interests of the children
Provide a physically and emotionally safe environment for children in both indoor and outdoor settings
Help maintain the physical environment by contributing to housekeeping tasks as needed
Observe and document children's learning/development through the use of notes and assessment tools and participate in parent-teacher conferences, as scheduled by Preschool Director
Spend significant time outdoors with students during all seasons, in all types of weather
Acknowledge and respect diversity and promote inclusion of all people regardless of ethnic, culture, linguistic backgrounds, gender identity, sexual orientation, and physical and mental disabilities
Follow protocols established by Mass Audubon, Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary and EEC regulations
Attend regional staff meetings and actively participate in statewide education staff meetings, audience professional learning communities, and professional development trainings as required
Attend Nature Preschool Open Houses, as scheduled by Preschool Director
Attend school-wide community engagement activities as scheduled by Preschool Director
Act as an ambassador for the Nature Preschool, recognizing that preschool classes are frequently observed by the general public, visiting professionals, prospective families and Mass Audubon staff members
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
At least 3 years of experience teaching young children
MA Department of Early Education and Care Teacher Certification
CPR and First aid training or willing to attain
Familiarity with inquiry-based and play-based nature education
Familiarity with MA early childhood standards
Interest and/or experience in nature-based, emergent and anti-bias teaching in early childhood education
Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to work cooperatively and independently required
Demonstrated interpersonal skills and commitment to helping others grow in understanding of and concern for the environment and people's relationship to it
Ability to lead walks on forested trails in all types of weather
Nice to Haves
Experience in providing nature-based learning to preschool age childre
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.