Fiddleheads Forest School Lead Teacher (Temporary)

Job Description

Location: University of Washington Botanic Gardens, Washington Park Arboretum – Seattle, WA

University of Washington Botanic Gardens (UWBG) Education Program Mission: Provide meaningful educational experiences that enrich participants’ connections with plants and the natural world.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: At the University of Washington Botanic Gardens, we value and honor diverse experiences and perspectives, strive to create welcoming and respectful learning environments, and promote access, fairness, and opportunity for all. We see implicit and explicit exclusion from green spaces like botanic gardens as an injustice that shapes our past and present and must be countered as we move into the future.

As a community, we believe that working to achieve equity and promote inclusion is both crucial and complex; we embrace the continuous commitment, the collective growth mindset, and the humility required to make meaningful transformation. For the full statement of commitment, visit https://botanicgardens.uw.edu/about/

Program Overview: The University of Washington Botanic Gardens Youth and Family Education programs serve over 10,000 youth ages 2-18 and their families each year through family classes, school field trips, summer camp and preschool programs. Tucked within the University of Washington Botanic Gardens and the Youth and Family Education Programs is the Fiddleheads Forest School, an entirely outdoor preschool for students ages three to five. At the Fiddleheads Forest School, we aim to foster a sense of wonder, to guide rather than compel, and to provide room for possibility rather than attempt to constrain children’s interests to fit within a certain curriculum. Unlike traditional programs, at the Forest School our classroom grows and changes along with its students. This dynamic environment offers an unparalleled setting for the development of self-regulation and fundamental appreciation for the natural world. Our unique, child-driven curriculum addresses the individual developmental needs of every student. Each day is approached with joy and wonder at the wide world around us.

Position: This position will serve as the Lead Teacher in the new full day classroom in the Fiddleheads Forest School, an entirely outdoor, nature-based preschool program serving 60-80 students and families in the Washington Park Arboretum. This position will report directly to the Fiddleheads Head of School.

Teachers at Fiddleheads act as guides, helping children to cultivate senses that are attuned to the affordances of their surroundings during a developmentally crucial time. Daily observation and experimentation on an individual and group level foster a love of science as well as social and emotional development. By providing structure in the environment, teachers encourage children to guide their own learning experience in a way that fosters the development of responsibility, independence, and executive functioning skills in order to create a strong foundation for future growth.

Administratively, this position is responsible for assisting with the development and implementation of: age-appropriate curriculum and lesson plans for 4-6 year olds; internal and external communication to keep families well-informed.

Operationally/Programmatically, this position is responsible for: ensuring the health and safety of students; delivering appropriate lessons and activities that support students' social, emotional, and physical growth; modeling a healthy relationship with and curiosity for the natural world; maintaining teaching supplies and supporting materials in an organized and efficient manner.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Teaching and developing culturally responsive and place-based curriculum, lesson plans, and activities that support the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development of 4-6 year olds enrolled in a full-day, mixed-age classroom 5 days/week year-round. Using developmentally-appropriate practices that are respectful of all children while modeling a healthy relationship with and curiosity for the natural world. Acting in a professional and compassionate manner at all times as a representative of the University of Washington and a role model for future generations.

• Ensuring the health, safety and well-being of students through site surveys and daily check-ins with students. Developing and implementing on-going evaluation methods designed to aid in the creation of individualized growth plans for each student that can be shared with parents. Documenting the learning and development that occurs in the classroom using a variety of methods for both internal and external use. Maintaining clear communication with fellow staff, interns, students, and their families to achieve common goals and avoid potential conflicts.

• Promoting a close relationship with parents through daily, weekly, and monthly communication; regular meetings and phone calls; home visits and parent conferences; and regular family events during and outside of class time. Ensuring families feel that their traditions, experiences, and individual needs are reflected through all aspects of the program.

• Assisting with the training, coordination, and mentorship of associate teachers and student interns; reporting on their participation in the classroom.

• Preparing, cleaning up and maintaining teaching supplies and supporting materials in a well-organized and efficient manner.

• Following all established policies, procedures and protocols related to internal and external communications, child safety, crisis management, and risk management. Supporting the development of new classroom risk and hazard assessment and response procedures as needed.

• Other related duties as assigned.

Decision-making Authority: Ability to make decisions in the field related to the health, safety and well-being of a child and/or children when the situation does not allow for consultation with a supervisor.

The salary information provided below is for a full-time position and will be prorated for part-time.

Minimum Requirements:

• Minimum of two years of experience as a teacher of preschool-age children.

• Bachelor's degree in Early childhood education, environmental education, or a related field.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

Additional Requirements:

• ECE Short Certificate or ECE Initial Certificate and willingness to obtain an ECE Short Certificate within 2 years.

• Ability to communicate effectively with children at an age-appropriate level.

• Understanding of cultural competency in the context of early childhood education.

• Exceptional verbal, written, and interpersonal skills.

• Creativity, flexibility and understanding necessary for working with children, parents and staff members.

• Ability to work as part of a team and make contributions through collaboration.

• Ability to problem solve and maintain a sense of calm as unforeseen situations arise.

• Outstanding planning, organizing, and time-management skills.

• Ability to stand, stoop, bend, and sit for 15-20 minutes at a time.

• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.

• Ability to work outdoors in all types of weather.

Department Contact for Questions regarding this position: Kim Daniel, 206-616-3381, kwdaniel@uw.edu or Fiddleheads Forest School, ffschool@uw.edu

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$55,032.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$60,000.00 annual

Other Compensation:

Benefits:

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-temporary-per-diem-and-less-than-half-time/

Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a temporary position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

85.00%

About the UW

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Our Commitment

The University of Washington is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer . All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu .

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law .