Summary

Monk Botanical Gardens seeks an engaged, energetic, and enthusiastic Assistant Preschool Teacher for Sprouts Garden Preschool's new full-day 4K Class. The Assistant Teacher will have the opportunity to support and contribute to a nature-based, emergent curriculum, participating in outdoor education for this first-of-its-kind preschool in Marathon County.

Our ideal candidate has a genuine love for teaching young children, a deep personal connection to nature, and is dedicated to high-quality care and learning. We are looking for an assistant teacher experienced in early childhood education, detail-oriented, organized, and highly relational. The Assistant Teacher must take pride in participating in the nature-preschool and child-led teaching models.

The Assistant Preschool Teacher will reinforce and maintain a safe and positive learning environment that supports child developmental and foundational skills while fostering connections between children and the natural world. This position provides support in the classroom, assists in supervising children in the classroom and outdoor settings, participates in family events, conducts developmental observations, and will lead before or after school care. The candidate must be experienced working with preschool-age students, 3-5 years old.

Two positions are available, one morning (7:30am-12:30pm) and one afternoon (12:30-5:30pm) position.



Duties

Primary Responsibilities:

• Participate in the development of a nature-based curriculum for children ages 3-5
• Contribute to and assist in delivering daily nature-based curriculum lesson plans
• Support classroom management, record keeping, and file management
• Documentation of play and discovery through writing, photo/video, and artwork
• Develop and nurture partnerships with families, communicating regularly with parents
• Help with the preparation of progress reports and portfolios
• Attend ongoing, annual professional development courses as required
• Support a multicultural and inclusive learning environment
• Participate in bi-weekly education team meetings and monthly all-staff meetings
• Follow all emergency procedures and COVID-19 protocols
• Maintain a clean and safe environment following CDC guidelines

Reports to: Sprouts Garden Preschool Lead Teacher
Start date: August 2023

Requirements

Desired Skills and Abilities:

• Strong decision-making skills to respond to risk management, emergencies, or difficult situations
• Familiarity with nature pedagogy and emergent curriculum
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and roles patiently and professionally
• Strong organizational skills, detail-oriented
• Ability to work as part of a team

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience working with children ages 3-5 years old (1 year)
• Must be 18 years or older with a high school diploma.
• Comfortable teaching outdoors for 3+ hours in all seasons
• Must pass a background check

Preferred Qualifications

• Environmental education experience (1 year)
• EC1 & EC2 or equivalent
• Red Cross First Aid and CPR Certification including Pediatric (may complete once hired, must be completed before Sept 1st)

Physical Demands: This position requires the ability to work outside in various weather conditions. The employee is frequently required to walk, stand and sit for extended periods. This employee will occasionally climb or balance and stoop, kneel and crouch. This employee must frequently lift and or move up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds.

Benefits

Compensation: This is a part-time, seasonal position (25 hours per week) September-May following the school calendar. Hourly Range: $15-$17. All federal holidays and school breaks are paid. Simple IRA with employer match. Employer-paid life, long-term, and short-term disability insurance. Health, vision and dental insurance are available.