Seedling Class Teacher

New Haven Ecology Project•New Haven, CT

14d•Onsite

About The Position

Common Ground is seeking an early childhood educator to lead farm and forest based classes for young children and their caregivers! About us: Common Ground is a center for learning and leadership, inviting people across ages and identities to connect to their urban environment, build community, grow into their full potential, and contribute to a just and sustainable world. We work toward this mission through active, authentic learning rooted in justice and our environment: a farm, in a forest, in a city. Three connected efforts are at the core of Common Ground’s work: An environmental education center, offering programs that connect people of all ages with the natural world while helping them develop habits of sustainable living. Connecticut’s only charter high school focused on the environment, preparing students for success in college and in environmental leadership. An urban farm that practices sustainable agriculture while contributing to a healthy food system for New Haven area residents. Common Ground operates from a 20-acre site at the base of West Rock Ridge where farm, forest, and city intersect to provide a unique, real world learning laboratory. Common Ground follows organic growing practices, avoiding the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers on site. For more information on Common Ground, see www.commongroundct.org. About the position: Our SEEDLINGS CLASS is for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with a parent or other caregiver. Seedlings Teachers offer themed classes focused on nature exploration, including hands-on activities, music, movement, and stories. Classes meet outside in most weather conditions.

Requirements

Experience with very young children (infant through preschool)
Experience planning accessible and developmentally appropriate activities, stories, music, and exploration in a nature-based setting.
Experience considering the needs of caregivers (sometimes grandparents) and young children while facilitating outdoor experiences.
Excellent communication skills, including speaking with children, adults, and coworkers.
Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills and sound judgment.
Ability to be flexible and adapt plans to the available spaces, weather conditions, and other needs of the day.
Commitment to working joyfully and inclusively with children and adults of all identities.
Ability to work in a setting with farm animals as well as native wildlife including insects, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and birds.
Ability to engage in the physical requirements of this role, including safely navigating outdoor terrain that includes uneven and unpaved surfaces, sitting on the ground, carrying a backpack with teaching supplies, and teaching outside in weather conditions including heat, rain, cold, and snow.
Verifiable record of consistent attendance and punctuality at previous workplaces.

Responsibilities

Lead farm and forest based classes for young children and their caregivers.
Offer themed classes focused on nature exploration, including hands-on activities, music, movement, and stories.
Plan accessible and developmentally appropriate activities, stories, music, and exploration in a nature-based setting.
Consider the needs of caregivers (sometimes grandparents) and young children while facilitating outdoor experiences.
Use excellent communication skills, including speaking with children, adults, and coworkers.
Use strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills and sound judgment as part of routine daily work.
Adapt plans to the available spaces, weather conditions, and other needs of the day.
Work joyfully and inclusively with children and adults of all identities.
Work in a setting with farm animals as well as native wildlife including insects, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and birds.
Engage in the physical requirements of this role, including safely navigating outdoor terrain that includes uneven and unpaved surfaces, sitting on the ground, carrying a backpack with teaching supplies, and teaching outside in weather conditions including heat, rain, cold, and snow.
Maintain a verifiable record of consistent attendance and punctuality at previous workplaces.