Posted 10/30/23: After-School Nature Club Supervising Teacher – Hiring *Now*
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, love-centered and belonging-based early childhood experience.
At a time when parents are feeling pressure to “ready” even their toddlers and preschoolers for future school and college careers, Prairie Flower Children’s Center is fiercely committed to protecting the simplicity and wonderment of early childhood. We believe all children have the inherent capacity and desire to learn through play, deep connection to nature and place and a curriculum that nurtures their minds, bodies and spirits.
Our Programs
We offer a range of early childhood programs, including both a morning-only and full-time preschool and mixed-age kindergarten for children ages 3.5-6; after-school programs for children ages 5-12; and a parent-child playgroup for children 18 months to 3 years old and their caregivers. We also hold occasional community festivals for families to strengthen ties and celebrate our shared connection to seasonal rhythms.
Starting in Fall 2023, we are excited to begin programming at our new location inside Bethesda Lutheran Church in central Ames, which isn’t far from nearby woods. We also have plans to expand our offerings to include a summer camp, as well as possible extracurricular programs in partnership with other Ames-based holistic education groups.
Job Description
We are looking to immediately hire an after-school nature club supervising teacher who believes in the importance of unpressured childhood to help support all facets of our PoemTree after-school nature club program, which runs from 3-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday during the school year.
The club’s main activities include free play and exploration in the woods. But on any given day you will find PoemTree children playing outdoor games, working with wood, climbing trees, playing music and singing, hearing nature stories and creating their own, making maps, building forts and doing other outdoor projects. Children also keep a nature journal, and during the winter months, engage in more indoor activities like playing board games, weaving, knitting, sewing, painting, reading and engaging in imaginary play. A second afterschool nature club assistant teacher will also be present to work with you and the children.
As the after-school nature club assistant teacher, you will:
If you enjoy working with children, or hope to gain more experience in the field of nature-based education, this position is for you.
You must be available to work from 2:30-6 p.m. to help set up and clean up after the program. Ideally, you would be available to work Monday through Friday each week, could commit to the job for the rest of the 2023-24 school year and are interested in furthering your knowledge of outdoor education. But we are happy to consider other schedule needs for applicants who meet the qualifications and share a passion for our mission.
Qualifications and Characteristics
Bonus Additional Qualifications and Characteristics
Benefits and How to Apply
This is a part-time position based in Ames, Iowa, that’s paid on an hourly basis at between $13-$14 per hour, depending on experience. The after-school nature club supervising teacher has time off during school-scheduled holiday breaks.
We offer professional development opportunities and small class sizes that allow for strong relationships with children and their families. The position reports to the Prairie Flower Children’s Center director and lead teacher.
To apply, please email your resume and two professional references to Monica Marcomb at [email protected]. We are looking to fill this position as quickly as possible, and will review applications as they come in.
A cover letter is optional, but you are welcome to submit one if you think it would help us get to know you, your background, interests or vision better than by reading your resume alone. (We will consider all applications equally on their merits, with or without the submission of a cover letter.)
Questions? If you have questions about any aspect of the position or application process, please contact Monica Marcomb at [email protected].
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, love-centered and belonging-based early childhood experience.
At a time when parents are feeling pressure to “ready” even their toddlers and preschoolers for future school and college careers, Prairie Flower Children’s Center is fiercely committed to protecting the simplicity and wonderment of early childhood. We believe all children have the inherent capacity and desire to learn through play, deep connection to nature and place and a curriculum that nurtures their minds, bodies and spirits.
Our Programs
We offer a range of early childhood programs, including both a morning-only and full-time preschool and mixed-age kindergarten for children ages 3.5-6; after-school programs for children ages 5-12; and a parent-child playgroup for children 18 months to 3 years old and their caregivers. We also hold occasional community festivals for families to strengthen ties and celebrate our shared connection to seasonal rhythms.
Starting in Fall 2023, we are excited to begin programming at our new location inside Bethesda Lutheran Church in central Ames, which isn’t far from nearby woods. We also have plans to expand our offerings to include a summer camp, as well as possible extracurricular programs in partnership with other Ames-based holistic education groups.
Job Description
We are looking to immediately hire an after-school nature club supervising teacher who believes in the importance of unpressured childhood to help support all facets of our PoemTree after-school nature club program, which runs from 3-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday during the school year.
The club’s main activities include free play and exploration in the woods. But on any given day you will find PoemTree children playing outdoor games, working with wood, climbing trees, playing music and singing, hearing nature stories and creating their own, making maps, building forts and doing other outdoor projects. Children also keep a nature journal, and during the winter months, engage in more indoor activities like playing board games, weaving, knitting, sewing, painting, reading and engaging in imaginary play. A second afterschool nature club assistant teacher will also be present to work with you and the children.
As the after-school nature club assistant teacher, you will:
- collaborate with the Center Director to develop seasonal rhythms of activities and daily snacks
- independently develop nature-based activities and rhythms for daily sessions
- help provide care and guidance for children during PoemTree sessions
- assist with daily setup and cleanup for the program (including working with PoemTree participants to clean up from snack and play activities during program hours)
- facilitate play and exploration during hikes in the nearby woods
- supervise children during indoor interactions and learning activities when unsafe weather requires PoemTree to be conducted indoors
- develop and deepen your understanding of nature school educational philosophy
- assist with administrative tasks as needed.
If you enjoy working with children, or hope to gain more experience in the field of nature-based education, this position is for you.
You must be available to work from 2:30-6 p.m. to help set up and clean up after the program. Ideally, you would be available to work Monday through Friday each week, could commit to the job for the rest of the 2023-24 school year and are interested in furthering your knowledge of outdoor education. But we are happy to consider other schedule needs for applicants who meet the qualifications and share a passion for our mission.
Qualifications and Characteristics
- Compassionate, reliable, responsible and flexible
- 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 practice setting kind but firm boundaries, and to lovingly mediate classroom conflicts between children
- 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 15 degrees Fahrenheit)
- First aid and CPR certification, or a willingness to get certified before starting in the job
Bonus Additional Qualifications and Characteristics
- Prior experience working with young children, or a degree or coursework towards a degree in early childhood education or a related field
- Knowledge of and belief in the principles of nature-based education, or an interest in learning more about this approach to early childhood education
- Interest or skill in one or more of the following: board games, art, music, writing, fiber arts, theater, crafting, woodworking, outdoor safety, wildcrafting, bushcrafting or other area that would allow you to engage creatively with children in this age group (5 to 12 years old)
- Appreciation for and commitment to Prairie Flower’s mission
Benefits and How to Apply
This is a part-time position based in Ames, Iowa, that’s paid on an hourly basis at between $13-$14 per hour, depending on experience. The after-school nature club supervising teacher has time off during school-scheduled holiday breaks.
We offer professional development opportunities and small class sizes that allow for strong relationships with children and their families. The position reports to the Prairie Flower Children’s Center director and lead teacher.
To apply, please email your resume and two professional references to Monica Marcomb at [email protected]. We are looking to fill this position as quickly as possible, and will review applications as they come in.
A cover letter is optional, but you are welcome to submit one if you think it would help us get to know you, your background, interests or vision better than by reading your resume alone. (We will consider all applications equally on their merits, with or without the submission of a cover letter.)
Questions? If you have questions about any aspect of the position or application process, please contact Monica Marcomb at [email protected].