Farm School Educator (substitute)

Substitute Educator; Part-time

Our farm schools are play-based, all-outdoors schools located in Spokane Valley and Spokane, WA. We are seeking an enthusiastic candidate to join our teaching team. An ideal candidate would be available to work as an on-call substitute (at multiple locations) from January through May 2026, and then would be open to continuing on as an educator during our Summer Camp season and into the 2026/2027 school year.

Our program’s philosophy is inspired by the belief that all young children have the innate capacity to wonder, create, and develop their gifts through self-directed play and time in nature.

Our programs (Vinegar Flats Farm School - Spokane, and Lilac City Harvest Farm School - Spokane Valley) are nature immersion programs. Educators will be outdoors for the entirety of their teaching day (5 hours total) year-round in all weather.

The right team member, however, may have varied additional opportunities within the organization in future years. We are looking for candidates who are passionate about our mission and want to help our nonprofit grow and thrive.

More information at www.greenplaynw.org

Start Date and Hours:

• January 2026 - May 2026, varied hours for training and as an on-call substitute
• Each teaching shift is 4-5 hours
• Some evening or weekend hours may be required for training, reflective consultation, and other parent/child/community events throughout the school year
• Additional substitute hours possible throughout school year

Salary: Commensurate with education and experience. Starting pay is $18.00/hour.

**Educators are welcome to bring one age-eligible child along with them for shifts as substitute**

Description/Responsibilities

• Alongside co-teacher, plan and implement a dynamic early learning program for children ages 3-6 and their families.
• Ensure the safety of all children including but not limited to nature play, hiking, climbing trees, or while in close proximity to such things as fire, standing water, animals, and other terrain.
• Ensure the daily preparation of our nature classroom, project areas, and meals.
• Assume overall responsibility for program tools and equipment, to include safety, use, and year-round maintenance.
• Plan, prepare, and co-create seasonal projects.
• Implement classroom strategies which are individually focused and age appropriate, with an emphasis on home-to-school collaboration.
• Communicate with parents effectively, in person, by phone, or email regarding the program and the progress of their child or children.

Desired Qualifications

• AA degree in early childhood education, elementary education, child development, child psychology, sociology, human services, environmental sciences, or the fine arts preferred.
• Experience working with young children ages 0-5 in an early care setting, preschool, or childcare.
• Physically capable of performing teaching duties with enthusiasm regardless of the weather (rain, sleet, snow, heat) including the ability to walk distances and over uneven terrain, carry a backpack and supplies, and lift up to 50lbs.
• Previous experience working with nonprofit organizations.
• Knowledge and interest in the Waldorf, Reggio Emilia, or Waldkindergarten approaches to early childhood education, with an appreciation for intrinsic/emergent learning philosophies.
• Understanding of the benefits of risk taking, movement, and physical development in the early years.
• Familiarity with the local flora and fauna, to include poisonous plants and their location, or be willing to seek outside training or self-study.
• First Aid/CPR certified within 30 days.

Qualities

• Flexibility, positivity, and curiosity.
• Self-starter; commitment to on-going personal and professional development as it relates to the care and nurturing of young children in our community.
• Personal warmth, patience, tolerance, empathy, and understanding.
• Keen observer of children and families; both individual and group dynamics and processes.
• Practiced and enthusiastic collaborator.
• Strong creative will and interest in the creative arts.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: From $18.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Professional development assistance

Work Location: In person