Nature-Based Children's Center: Lead School-Age Teacher and Supervisor

Pay: $15.00-16.00 per hour, commensurate with experience and education

Overview

At Prairie Flower Children’s Center, we seek to nurture children’s innate senses of wonder, curiosity and gratitude, and to honor their vital need for an unpressured childhood where imagination, creativity and self-discovery can bloom. For more than 25 years, we have provided children in Ames, Iowa, and beyond with a nature-based, play-based and child-led early childhood experience that is unique amongst other centers in Ames.

Our Programs

We offer a range of early childhood programs, including a year-round co-op nature preschool program for children ages 3-6, after-school programs and summer camps for children ages 5-12, and a parent-child playgroup for children 15 months to 3 years old.

We are located at 1517 Northwestern Ave. in central Ames, which isn’t a far walk from nearby woods. We rent two classrooms from (but are otherwise not affiliated with) Bethesda Lutheran Church.

Job Description

We are seeking a Lead School-Age Teacher and Supervisor who believes in play-based and nature-based programming.

In this role, you’ll help develop activities and lead programming for the school-age students, in addition to supervising and providing guidance to kids and assistant teachers in their roles. You will guide children both in the classroom and during our woodland explorations, and assist with daily setup, organization, and administration of the programming. If you enjoy working with children, this position is a unique opportunity to gain experience with nature-based education and forest school philosophy while nurturing young children during a vital phase of their growth.

As a Lead School-Age Teacher and Supervisor, you will:

• Support the center director in planning, implementing, and carrying out programming for the school-age students.
• Lead and supervise children during indoor and outdoor activities that include craft projects, music, playing games, free play, knot-tying, fire-building, whittling, basic wilderness first aid, and midwestern ecology during exploration of the nearby woods.
• Plan and organize supplies and gear needed for each day.
• Keep open lines of communication with the children, families and other members of the staff team.
• Support children as they build strong relationships with each other, teachers, the environment, and the community.
• Teaching and supporting students and staff as they learn about “risky play”, while ensuring that safety protocols are followed diligently and health records are maintained.
• Assist with administrative tasks, set up and clean up, and snack prep as needed.

Qualifications and Characteristics

• Diligent, dependable, self-motivated and organized
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills – able to communicate courteously and clearly with other teachers, children, parents and other people connected with center affairs
• A positive, playful and patient attitude
• Able to give and take constructive, respectful feedback
• Able to work independently and as part of a team
• Able to learn and adapt quickly
• Respect for each child’s unique personality and temperament, and able or willing to learn how to lovingly mediate classroom conflicts between children while setting appropriate boundaries
• A commitment to creating an inclusive, welcoming classroom for all children and families
• Able to lift at least 50 pounds and to hike nearby rugged terrain
• Able to be outdoors daily during all seasons (sun, rain, snow, cold down to a real feel of about 0 degrees.)
• First aid and CPR certification, or a willingness to get certified before starting in the job

Bonus Additional Qualifications and Characteristics

• A degree or formal training in early childhood education, or prior experience working with young children
• A love of the outdoors and a positive attitude to weather in all its manifold seasonal expressions
• Knowledge of and belief in the principles of nature-based education, or an interest in learning more about this approach to early childhood education
• Talent or experience in one or more creative arts or artisanal realms, such as art, music, writing, fiber arts, dance, theater, crafting, woodworking, outdoor skills or other area
• Appreciation for and commitment to Prairie Flower’s mission

Benefits and How to Apply

We offer professional development opportunities, a commitment to work-life balance and small group sizes that allow for strong relationships with children and their families. The position reports to the Prairie Flower Children’s Center director.

Applications will be reviewed as they come in and interviews will be scheduled. Along with your resume, please include a message or cover letter to:

• confirm your availability for the Monday-Friday, 2:00-6:00pm
• let us know when you are available to start working; and
• share why you are interested in the position and Prairie Flower Children’s Center.

Questions? If you have questions about any aspect of the position or application process, please message us.

For a deeper understanding of our mission, values and what we do at Prairie Flower Children’s Center, please visit our website: www.prairieflowercc.org.

Pay: $15.00 - $16.00 per hour

Work Location: In person