Lead Teacher - Nature Preschool

Boston Outdoor Preschool Network • Jamaica Plain, MA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Teacher will plan and lead engaging, hands-on nature-based activities including art, music, motor skills, and outdoor exploration. This role involves documenting children's growth for progress reports and family conferences, and supporting co-teachers in their report drafting. The Lead Teacher will also mentor co-teachers, interns, and volunteers, fostering a culture of professional growth and providing coverage as needed to maintain staffing ratios. Building strong relationships with families through various communication channels and orienting new enrollees are key responsibilities. Safety is paramount, requiring daily environmental checks, transition checks, monthly fire drills, and maintaining EEC-required certifications and documentation.

Requirements

• EEC Lead Teacher Professional Certification (required)
• Suitable Background Check (required)
• EEC StrongStart Essentials 2.0 Training certificate & Refresher (Required)
• Experience mentoring or supervising staff
• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative spirit
• Frequent bending, squatting, walking on trails, and lifting/carrying up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to work outdoors in varied weather conditions on uneven terrain.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or related field preferred - equivalent experience considered
• Experience with nature-based or experiential learning a plus
• Strong understanding of child development and social-emotional learning

Responsibilities

• Plan and lead engaging, hands-on nature-based activities - art, music, motor skills, and outdoor exploration.
• Document children's growth to inform bi-yearly progress reports and family conferences.
• Support and review reports drafted by co-teachers.
• Mentor and support co-teachers, interns, and volunteers.
• Foster a culture of continued professional growth.
• Provide coverage across classes or sites as needed to support staffing ratios.
• Build warm, ongoing relationships with families through in-person communication, email, a monthly newsletter, and the ProCare app.
• Orient new enrollees and participate in parent-teacher conferences.
• Conduct daily environmental safety checks, name-to-face checks at every transition, and monthly fire drills.
• Maintain EEC-required certifications and documentation, and uphold all health, safety, and supervision standards (CMR 606).

Benefits

• Part-time salaried position
• Approximately 24 hours per week
• Paid prep time built into the schedule
• Paid holidays
• Seasonal breaks that closely align with local public school calendars, including major vacation weeks and observed holidays.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Mid Level