Preschool Lead

OKC Zoo•Oklahoma City, OK

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Preschool Lead Teacher at the Oklahoma City Zoo plays a vital role in fostering the academic and social-emotional growth of preschoolers (ages 2-5) through hands-on, nature-based learning! From animal encounters to zoo tours, arts, crafts, and games, you'll create engaging experiences that spark curiosity and connection with wildlife. This position aims to engage students in early childhood education through environmental and conservation education lessons that support the Zoo’s mission, vision, values, and Oklahoma Academic Standards (OAS). The position helps facilitate fun and safe learning experiences to help preschoolers gain an appreciation for wildlife and the natural world. Daily preschool includes lessons geared to meet OAS and foster connection with nature and animals, nature play, zoo tours, animal encounters, arts, crafts, games, and other activities for mixed-age groups ranging from 2 to 5 years old.

Requirements

6 months experience working with preschool-age children ages 2-5 years in a formal or informal educational setting
Ability to complete CPR/1st Aid certification within 30 days of hire
Completion of OKC Zoo Health and Safety Institute training within 30 days of employment
Annual tuberculosis testing

Nice To Haves

Love working with young children and inspiring a love for nature
Passionate educator who believes in the power of play, exploration, and conservation education

Responsibilities

Work in teaching teams to facilitate nature-based activities that reflect the children's needs and interests.
Deliver provided curriculum and lesson plans aligned with Pre-K OAS to nurture and stimulate all domains of each children’s development.
Observe and record each children’s development using a combination of notes, assessments, portfolios, and documentation panels that measure physical, social/emotional, linguistic, and cognitive development.
Share professional observations with families as needed and requested.
Encourage appropriate behaviors and re-direct inappropriate behaviors following standard operating procedures.
Present ambassador animals after receiving training.
Provide a physically and emotionally safe environment for young children indoors and outdoors.
Assist children with a healthy, safe, clean, and developmentally appropriate environment.
Ensure that all activities comply with safety protocols.
Understand and follow all of the Zoo‘s safety and emergency protocols.
Document behavioral and incident reports and effectively relay information to supervisors and parents.
Maintain regular and professional communication with teaching teams and families, including sending updated photos on BrightWheel daily, leading parent-teacher conferences twice a year, and attending weekly staff meetings.
Collaborate with preschool manager, supervisor, and coordinator in the creation of NEP special programming.
Apply developmentally appropriate practices to all interactions with children, including reflective listening, modeling social/emotional norms, and promoting self-regulation.
Complete daily assigned responsibilities including set-up, clean-up, and program maintenance.
Keep all children active and engaged in the classroom and outdoors.
Participates in conservation activities to support Zoo’s mission.
Communicate and interact professionally with teachers, students, parents, and Zoo guests, conveying a professional, welcoming and friendly attitude.
Value and support all work group members, offering assistance to ensure each other’s and the whole team’s success.
Set personal and professional goals, seeking opportunities to develop skills in focus areas.
Maintain OKDHS & CECPD requirement for 12 clock hours of professional development per year.
Practice and model the Zoo’s Values centered on wildlife and wild places, conservation, people, and leadership.
Perform other duties as assigned.