NATURE-BASED SCHOOL SEEKS CLASSROOM CO-TEACHER OR ASSISTANT

Summary

Turtle Island Children's Center is a year-round, nonprofit play- and nature-based early childhood program. We are located on a beautiful 2.5 acre campus along the North Branch River in the Capital City of Montpelier, Vermont. The North Branch Nature trails and the Hubbard Park trails are on either side of our school, and we spend a lot of time exploring the woods!

We spend most of our days outdoors, as long as the weather allows. Our operating hours are 8:00-3:30.

We are seeking a co-teacher to work alongside two other teachers in a preschool classroom. This strong teacher to child ratio of 1:3 will allow for teachers to alternate providing 1:1 support for children who need it.

Duties

Responsibilities of this position will include but are not necessarily limited to the following:

**Provide children with a nurturing, safe, and healthy environment to help them develop socially, intellectually, physically, and emotionally.

**Work collaboratively with coworkers to ensure state and program guidelines, regulations and expectations are being met.

**Observe, document and encourage children’s long term learning and development to support emergent curriculum in the areas; of building self-confidence, problem solving, social justice, connection to living things and the planet, and active citizenship skills.

**Proactively communicate effectively, professionally and respectfully with children, team members, administrators and families.

**Co-facilitate parent-teacher conferences biannually

**Actively supervise and engage with children while keeping them safe at all times.

**Create and maintain an environment that is clean, organized, responsive, inviting, welcoming and safe for all children and families

Our passionate and dedicated team of educators loves to spend time outdoors, we respect young children as competent learners and citizens of today, and we have fostered a strong and inclusive community that is excited about change and growth. If this sounds like a good fit, even if you are only seeking part-time employment-- please be in touch!

Requirements

• **Demonstrate basic understanding of the developmental needs of children from birth to six years old; responsiveness to the intellectual, emotional and social needs of children; ability to work with groups of children
• **Show flexibility to work as a team member and a part of a learning community.
• **Love and respect for children, teachers and the labor of early childhood education
• **Must be at least 18 yrs. of age.
• **Be able to kneel, bend, squat, lift, push, pull, and carry children up to 50lbs
• **Meet annual professional development requirements with the support of Turtle Island supervisors
• **Willingness to continue professional education in Early Childhood Education or related field, as needed
• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Nice To Haves

Benefits

• 20 days paid leave annually (sick/personal)
• An additional 23.5 paid program holidays/additional days off annually
• Ongoing professional development
• A Direct Primary Care Plan through the North Branch Health Center
• 50% off tuition for your child(ren)