Job Information
HEARTWOOD FOREST SCHOOL Forest School Teacher / Educational Coach in MONTICELLO, Utah
Overview:
We are seeking a passionate and dedicated Forest School Teacher / Educational Coach who is committed to implementing our school's values within a mostly outdoor learning environment.
Our values:
We value connections to family, joy, student owned education, empowerment through a creator mindset, nature, healthy engagement with risk, and we trust in God.
We provide children with the freedom to explore, learn, and grow in a natural setting. As a learning coach, you will play a crucial role in fostering curiosity, independence, and environmental stewardship among our students, grades K-12.
Salary:
Job Type: Part-time
Expected hours: 23 -- 27 per week
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Salary: $22.00 - $36.00 per hour = $21,500 - $35,000 for the school year, paid monthly over 12 months. Pay is salary based, and not dependent upon school being in session. The position offers 8 leave days per academic year (August to May), facilitated by the school's substitute teachers arrangement. Any additional leave days will be reflected in a deduction from the salary.
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The pay rate is determined by
The extent to which the teacher can execute the job description independently, after basic provided training, without requiring additional guidance from the lead teacher.
The days per week that are scheduled (4 or 5 days a week, explained below).
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Schedule:
(18 hours a week, 4.5 hour work day) Aug 6 - 16 -- 2 weeks to set up & plan out curriculum, without students - 4 days a week.
(18 hours a week, 4.5 hour work day) Aug 20- May 23 -- Tuesday - Friday at 9:45 am pick up. students, transport to forest, teach until 2:00 pm, transport back to the same location by 2:15 pm. Lunch with students. One 10 minute break in the day.
(1.25 hours a week) Host parent-teacher meetings up to 5 hours a month beyond school hours.
(4 hours a week) Plan and prepare.
Total weekly hours: 23-24.
(Possible total weekly hours: 27 hours a week) Teaching also on Mondays, if students enroll for 5 days a week schedule. This would be with an assistant, not Miriam Peterson, the lead teacher.
Breaks -- Nov 25-Nov 29 (Thanksgiving), Dec 16-Jan 3 (Christmas Break), Jan 20 (MLK day), Feb 17 (President's Day), Mar 10-14 (Spring Break), Apr 18-21 (Easter Break), May 26 (Memorial Day).
Key Responsibilities:
Oversee the Education and Supervision of up to 10 students, side by side with another teacher that has their own students they are overseeing. Manage up to 20 students while the 2nd teacher takes a break for 10 minutes.
Facilitate Self-Directed Learning: Create an environment that empowers students to take ownership of their learning journey. Encourage exploration, curiosity, and experimentation in the natural world, allowing children to pursue their interests and passions at their own pace.
Provide Guidance and Support: Serve as a mentor and guide for students, offering support and encouragement as they navigate their educational experiences. Respect each child's unique learning style and preferences, offering assistance when needed while promoting independence and problem-solving skills.
Facilitate Community Building: Foster a sense of community among students, staff, and parents/guardians, promoting open communication, cooperation, and mutual respect. Organize our school community meetings, events, and celebrations to strengthen bonds and promote collaboration. Understand principles from the following texts and put them into practice during school:
"Hold On to Your Kids" by Gordon Neufeld and Gabor Maté
"The Child Whispe rer" by Carol Tuttle
"The Awakened Family" by Shefali Tsabary
"Stress Less, Accomplish More" by Emily Fletcher
"You Are a Powerful Creator, My Little One" by Monica Iglesias
Ensure Safety and Well-Being: Prioritize the safety and well-being of all participants in the Forest School program. Implement appr priate safety protocols and risk management procedures while encouraging students to develop skills in assessing and managing risks in outdoor environments. Effectively manage emergency procedures and protocols in case of accidents, injuries, or other critical situations that may arise during activities.
Communication: Collaborate with a second educator to generate ideas and devise strategies for guiding learning experiences. Communicate with parents about their child's progress at pick up and drop off locations, emails, parent-teacher meetings, and/or notes, during school hours or up to an additional 5 hours a month.
Reporting: Assist students in creating portfolios of their work. Document student progress, achievements, and challenges, as well as reporting requirements to track program effectiveness and inform future planning and decision-making.
Model: Model a love of learning, actively reading books, pursuing hobbies, interests, and learning while sharing insights gained with students. Bring exceptional innovation and rigor, leading to the development of curious and independent learners. Model healthy mental health practices for students by maintaining a positive attitude, a creator instead of victim mindset, and participating in either meditation or other personal sources to manage ongoing self care for mental health. Present yourself in a way that parents will be pleased you are a model for their child, including dressing modestly, speaking cleanly, modeling healthy behaviors (not using illegal substances), and being friendly.
Physical Work: Assist with set up and take down of equipment such as tents, tables, chairs, etc.
Transport children: either in school's vehicle or own personal vehicle to forest locations.
Daily Schedule: Lead students in meditation.Read to students. Lead group prayers with students (moment of silence or verbal prayer).Guide students in Easy Peasy All in One Homeschool Curriculum, which is Christian based. Modify curriculum to be play-based for lower grades.Research and decide on alternative curriculum for each student's needs, especially math.
Training: Attend & implement knowledge from provided forest school training.
Maintain performance: Be evaluated through formal assessments, parent feedback surveys, and/or performance reviews based on job description.
Qualifications:
Must be 18+ years old.
If using your own vehicle to transport students, you must have a valid driver's license, vehicle insurance, and good driving record.
Must pass a background check.
Must be physically agile in the forest for a 4.5 hour work day.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with students, parents/guardians, and colleagues.
Passion for learning, nature, and environmental stewardship.
Certification in CPR & first aid or a willingness to obtain certifications.
Education: High school or equivalent.
Preferred:
Previous experience working in an outdoor education setting.
Familiarity with Forest School principles.
Familiarity with environmental science, permaculture, ecology or other similar fields.
Skilled in plant & animal identification, and strong understanding of the natural world.
Education: College degree in Education, Special Education, or fields related to outdoor environment.
Experience: Outdoor work, Special Education, and/or Teaching children in grades K-12.