Posted 5/1/24:
Lead Preschool Teacher – Hiring *Now* (part-time; full-time possible) **$600 SIGN ON BONUS**
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 year-round morning-only or full-time preschool and mixed-age kindergarten for children ages 3-6; after-school programs and summer camps 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.
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 preschool lead teacher to help guide and grow the preschool program. This person will have a unique opportunity to build on our existing program and offer vision and leadership to help to sculpt the future of nature-based early childhood education in the Ames area.
This is a part-time position, with desired hours of 7:30-1 pm, Monday-Friday. We can discuss the possibility of full-time hours, if this is of interest.
The start date for this position is late August, 2024.
As the lead teacher, you will:
Qualifications and Characteristics
Bonus Additional Qualifications and Characteristics
Benefits and How to Apply
This is a part-time, hourly position based in Ames, Iowa, with a pay range of $15-17 per hour, depending on experience.
We are offering a $600 sign-on-bonus; half to be paid upon hire and the second half to be paid at the end of the summer.
Teachers have time off during school-scheduled holiday breaks (same holidays as Ames Community School District, plus July 4 and July 15-19). We offer professional development opportunities, a commitment to work-life balance 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.
To apply, please email your resume and two professional references to Monica Marcomb at [email protected]. We will review applications on a rolling basis.
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].
Lead Preschool Teacher – Hiring *Now* (part-time; full-time possible) **$600 SIGN ON BONUS**
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 year-round morning-only or full-time preschool and mixed-age kindergarten for children ages 3-6; after-school programs and summer camps 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.
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 preschool lead teacher to help guide and grow the preschool program. This person will have a unique opportunity to build on our existing program and offer vision and leadership to help to sculpt the future of nature-based early childhood education in the Ames area.
This is a part-time position, with desired hours of 7:30-1 pm, Monday-Friday. We can discuss the possibility of full-time hours, if this is of interest.
The start date for this position is late August, 2024.
As the lead teacher, you will:
- Craft a curriculum plan for the year that is developmentally appropriate and inspired by nature/forest school and other complimenting educational philosophies, including seasonally-inspired:
- Circle times and movement appropriate to the children’s needs
- Songs, stories, crafts, and projects
- Activities and class preparations for festivals and the seasons
- Lead the children in exploring of the woods/prairie and play in the nature playscape on a frequent basis, in all seasons and weather
- Establish a reverent meal routine in which the children and staff share meals and snacks together
- Establish routines for engaging children in meaningful work and play – such as shared meal preparation tasks, lunch clean-up, plant care, and other tasks
- Train, supervise and work alongside other teaching staff to carry out the intent of the program
- Staff occasional weekend festivals that take place twice a semester. This could include helping the center director to plan for and set up the event, supporting children and families in activities or games, serving refreshments or other forms of support as needed.
- Assist the Director with administrative tasks as needed
Qualifications and Characteristics
- A degree in or professional experience with early childhood education, including with preschool- and kindergarten-aged children
- Knowledge of and commitment to the principles of nature-based education, and demonstrated ability to facilitate developmentally appropriate nature-based, child-centered early childhood programming
- A love of the outdoors, a positive attitude to weather in all its manifold seasonal expressions and experience with safely leading children in nature exploration in all types of weather (including how to safely dress in a range of weather conditions)
- Understanding of age-appropriate risk management, and familiarity with establishing classroom practices and routines that foster a safe and healthy classroom environment
- A positive, playful and patient attitude
- Respect for each child’s unique personality and temperament, and an ability to lovingly mediate classroom conflicts between children while setting appropriate boundaries
- A commitment to creating an inclusive, welcoming classroom for all children and families regardless of race, ethnicity, cultural background, gender, social or political identity, education, economic status or ability
- An ability to nurture the spirit and curiosity of each child while building strong relationships with families and children
- An ability to communicate courteously and clearly with other teachers, children, parents and other people connected with center affairs in person, by telephone and via email
- 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
- Familiarity with or credentials in one or more holistic approaches to education, such as nature/forest schools, Waldorf, Montessori, or Reggio Emilia
- Talent or experience in one or more creative arts or artisanal realms, such as art, music, writing, fiber arts, dance, theater, crafting, woodworking or other area
Benefits and How to Apply
This is a part-time, hourly position based in Ames, Iowa, with a pay range of $15-17 per hour, depending on experience.
We are offering a $600 sign-on-bonus; half to be paid upon hire and the second half to be paid at the end of the summer.
Teachers have time off during school-scheduled holiday breaks (same holidays as Ames Community School District, plus July 4 and July 15-19). We offer professional development opportunities, a commitment to work-life balance 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.
To apply, please email your resume and two professional references to Monica Marcomb at [email protected]. We will review applications on a rolling basis.
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].