Job description

Lead Teacher/Teacher-Trillium Nature School, Dayton, OH
Full Time
Start Date: 2023-24 School Year
Location: Miamisburg, OH
Deadline for applications: Until filled

Overview
Trillium Nature School is located in Dayton, Ohio and provides a nature based education to students grades K-4. The school’s mission is to redefine the education experience in the Miami
Valley through a community rooted in nature, acceptance and love. We empower students to advocate for both their human and natural communities.

The board of Trillium Nature School celebrates and honors teachers who embrace a growth mindset and a desire to grow in their teaching practice alongside students. An ideal candidate brings a wide and varied skill set to our school. Trillium Nature School is excited to connect with educators, naturalists and mentors with varied backgrounds as we actively build our school’s culture.

Position Description
The Lead Teacher will provide a high quality, developmentally appropriate, nature-based education experience for children in grades K-4 who are enrolled at Trillium Nature School.
The Lead Teacher is responsible for facilitating a cooperative approach to planning within an instructional team. They are to be knowledgeable of and responsive to best practices within the early childhood/elementary education profession and determine professional learning needs and opportunities for the instructional team. The Lead Teacher will also work with and report to the Head of School and may also have some reporting and communication duties with the Board of Directors, particularly during the school’s start up phase.

Responsibilities
The lead teacher is responsible for ensuring safety, good communication and investing in the school’s methods of curriculum, assessment and learning. They will diligently plan lessons, prepare materials and continue professional development as well as create a warm and welcoming environment for children and families.

Major responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Philosophical:

• Commitment to the mission, vision and core values of Trillium Nature School
• Embraces a nature-based and child-led approach
• Works to use nature and a hands on approach as a medium whenever possible in teaching concepts
• Works to promote problem solving and self regulation

Safety

• Creating a safe space that inspires creativity, self-confidence and cooperation with peers and the community
• Performs regular hazard and risk assessment
• Embrace a wide variety of weather conditions and be responsible for the health and safety of each child. This includes helping children stay warm and dry in rainy and cold weather, managing risk in an outdoor setting, and addressing conflict.
• CPR and First Aid Certified, or be willing to obtain
• Being responsible for the health and safety of the children under care
• Ensure fire code and health department rules are followed at all time

Leadership

• Be partners with the Head of School in the leadership and function of the school
• Serve as POC when Head of School is out of school
• Identify and encourage community connections in the fields of environmental education and Nature Education
• Attend board meetings from time to time, as requested

Curriculum, Screening, Assessment and Learning

• Stimulate the inherent curiosity children have about their surrounding, and expand on it with emergent and place-based curriculum
• Nurture the spirit and curiosity of each child while simultaneously building strong relationships with families and children
• Help identify, develop and utilize various curriculums within an agreed upon pedagogy structure with other teaching staff and any founding committee
• Develop activities, collect materials, books, and songs based on observation of the children’s interests, cognitive needs, and the cycle of nature
• Monitor children’s work and play then work with other teachers to modify the environment and approach to ensure student growth
• Participate in observational assessment and maintain student portfolios including original artifacts, teacher notes, photographs and other reflections
• Collect, analyze and organize child assessment data and portfolios to facilitate student growth
• Provide rich process oriented art opportunities regularly

Planning

• Obtain books and materials as needed for lessons
• Prepare the environment for the following day
• Regularly prepare lesson plans as a team including all developmental and cognitive domains
• Document incident reports, student goals, growth, parent communications, and all other relevant information
• Assist in sourcing art materials, toys, and supplies. (Many times these may be donated or collected from families and the community)
• Will join in a team of educators to establish the first year of school. Working to plan and execute curriculum, establish protocols, and begin traditions will be part of the initial year

Parent & Community

• Communicating professionally and positively with children, co-workers, families and the general public
• Participate regularly in Trillium Nature School events. Teachers will create these traditions jointly
• Lead two annual conferences with each family to discuss the children’s learning and experiences
• Involvement in other community organizations that align with Trillium Nature School’s mission are encouraged

Professional Development

• Maintain all relevant certifications, licenses, and safety courses.
• Assist in identifying areas of opportunity for learning and will work together to support self and staff learning in these areas
• Participate in regular on site professional development opportunities and group book or topic studies, as determined by teaching staff
• Participate in board committees as needed
• Work with the Head of School to develop a bi-annual professional development plan

Operational

• Clean the school with other teachers
• Assist in recommending items and areas of growth in yearly budget for the school
• Attend staff meetings, teacher work days, parent education days and open houses
• Other duties may be assigned as needed

Desired Education/Experience Qualifications
● Lead teacher should have a BS or higher in Elementary Education or in a field related to young children
● A minimum of five years experience working in an elementary school setting, ideally with experience in an emergent curriculum
● Candidates should also have a high level of drive, creativity, high energy level, flexibility and reliability
● A knowledge of local flora and fauna is beneficial.
● Be able to hike long distances, carry a backpack of 20 lbs for short distances, climb over logs, reach, lift 20 lbs, bend and sit on the ground with children for short times. Some accommodations can be made.

● Fingerprinting for a background check will be required
● We encourage a wide variety of candidates to apply as the Board of Directors realizes that educators may possess a great deal of expertise in either education or as a naturalist. We seek to create a balanced team to lead the school into its creation.

Questions about the position can be sent to trilliumnatureschool@gmail.com with “Lead Teacher inquiry” in the subject line.

To apply send a cover letter, resume and list of three references to trilliumnatureschool@gmail.com

Job Type: Full-time

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Miamisburg, OH: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Experience:

• Teaching (Preferred)
• Special education (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Teaching Certification (Preferred)
• Special Education Certification (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

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