The Full-time Nature PreKindergarten Assistant Teacher, under the leadership of the Director of the Nature School and the lead teacher, will be responsible for implementing the school’s existing Core Learning Goals for PreK using the natural world in a mostly outdoor setting. Our unique outdoor campus with classroom yurts becomes the primary context that informs course curriculum and content. In this 4th year of the Nature PreKindergarten (NPK) class, the NPK assistant teachers will aid the lead teacher in the schedule and curriculum design and implementation for a growing class, while ensuring reasonable consistency with the existing EDS expectations and Nature School culture. The NPK Assistant reports to the Director of the EDS Murray Nature School.

About Episcopal Day School and the Murray Nature School
EDS, a 78-year-old PreK-8, launched its inaugural Murray Nature Preschool (NPS) in 2019 and Nature Kindergarten (NK) in 2020, based at the 38-acre multi-purpose experiential ed campus located 7 miles from the main campus. EDS began the 2022-2023 school year with 315 students on the Walton Way Campus (including 2 sections of preschool) and an additional 32 students on the Nature School Campus.

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Under the direction of the Lead Teacher, assist in facilitating immersive outdoor Pre-kindergarten classes. This includes maintaining a safe, loving environment with safety routines that protect yet empower children.  

• Nurture the individual needs of children while managing whole group experiences and unstructured play and exploration.

• Collaborate with other teachers, volunteers, and /or parents.

• Document the nature school experience through photos on Seesaw that are forward-facing for the families of the students.

• Other duties that support families, children, staff, and/or residents in the program may also be assigned.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of a B.A. or B.S. in a related field, early childhood education preferred

• Experience in early childhood education and/or outdoor/nature education programs preferred

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND QUALITIES

• Current First Aid, AED, and Child CPR (recertification possible through EDS)

• Willingness to complete Forest School Certification

• Love of children, love of learning, love of nature

• Patient, compassionate disposition

• Adaptable to working in all weather conditions (cold, wet, hot, humid)

• Comfortable moving around in rough terrain, including creek exploration, tree climbing etc…

• Ability to pick up 50lb students in emergency situations.

• Ability to collaborate with the Nature School team and other faculty

PAY & BENEFITS
This is a full-time, ten-month, salaried position. Compensation and benefits are competitive and commensurate with experience.