Experienced Outdoor, Early Childhood Educator Cooperative Forest School

Cooperative forest school is a forest school morning program in Stoneham, MA for children ages 2-7, in the process of state-licensing with the Department of Early Education and Care.  Founded by two parent-educators and artists, we came together through a commitment to play-based outdoor education, and disability justice.  Cooperative Forest School we are committed to the principles of community care, open play, collaboration, exploration, nurturing and environmental stewardship.

We are looking for an Experienced, Outdoor Educator to join our adventure in care and community and to lead our program, 5 days a week. This is a 20-25 hr/week position with the possibility of additional hours.

Duties

  • Lead the Cooperative Forest School program 5 mornings per week during the school year.
  • Make sure children are safe and supported.
  • Observe children’s behavior and learning, and foster problem solving, collaboration, confidence building and imagination by providing scaffolding experiential learning based on those observations.
  • Maintain visual and auditory supervision of children at all times to ensure their safety in the forest and on any field trips
  • Help children resolve and negotiate conflicts when they arise; support development of self-regulation, impulse control and coping mechanisms through supporting conflict resolution; use consistent techniques in guiding children’s behavior.
  • Develop strong positive partnerships with families, students, and possible co-teachers.
  • Use positive, appropriate and supportive language with children.
  • Embrace a wide variety of weather conditions as pedagogical inspiration. 
  • Communicate clearly and respectfully with children, caregivers, and other teachers. 
  • Coordinate with Cooperative Forest School core team on planning, preparation and organization.

Qualifications

  • Experience in early childhood education and/or outdoor/nature education programs.  
  • Strong emotional intelligence, including empathy and listening skill set.
  • Loves working with young children and is energetic and passionate about working one-on-one with children, as well as with groups of children.
  • Demonstrates working knowledge of hazards and risk assessment as related to the environments of young children.
  • Able to work cooperatively and collaboratively in an all outdoor, forest setting, and open and flexible to new ideas.
  • Dedication to place-based education and a passion for exploring the natural environment. Working knowledge of local flora, fauna, and seasonal changes is a plus!
  • Current Emergency First Aid and Child CPR certificate (or willing to obtain quickly)
  • Comfortable with meeting children where they are on a given day.
  • Familiarity with the principles of disability justice and community care.
  • Reliable transportation.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Formal studies in the core subjects of Early Childhood Education 
  • At least one to two years preschool teaching experience
  • Knowledge of forestry, environmentalism, conservation, herbology, any and all Earth based / nature based wisdom or knowledge 
  • Interest in collaboratively creating alternative approaches to schooling and community-building.

Salary: Competitive, and Based upon Experience, starting at $24 /hour. Salary will include paid time off for breaks and holidays.

Cooperative Forest School is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to building a diverse, inclusive staff reflective of our community. We especially encourage applications from Black, Indigenous and People of Color, people with disabilities, and members of the LGTBQIA+ community.

How to apply: Send a 1) resume and 2) short note describing your teaching philosophy to Mary Jirmanus Saba cooperativeforestschool@riseup.net or mjirmanus@riseup.net

Note: Our commitment to disability justice means making our school accessible to disabled children or children who live in households with high-risk individuals. As the pandemic continues to impact disabled, elderly, people Black, indigenous and latinx communities disproportionately, we prioritize making our school safe for high-risk children and families.  To this end, we are following a layered protections system. We will ask all children and educators to wear high quality masks at all times, and use surveillance testing. We are committed to fair labor practices. This includes COVID pay in case of exposure, quarantine or illness. 


Seeking Youth Engagement Technicians

Boston Harbor Now seeks two skilled Youth Engagement Technician(s). positions for this summer 2022! Join our team where you will be engaging Boston youth through employment, curriculum- and recreation-based experiences associated with Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park and National Parks of Boston sites.The incumbents will coordinate, develop, and facilitate summer programming, and support a variety of youth employment and development programs.

This is a full-time temporary position (13 weeks, with possibility of extension up to 26 weeks) with an hourly rate of $19.38.
For full position description and information how to apply, Careers – Boston Harbor Now or Microsoft Word – Youth Engagement Technician_position description.docx (bostonharbornow.org) Responsibilities Youth Engagement Technicians should be able to work effectively in collaboration with youth and partners. Specific responsibilities associated with this job include:

  • Supports development, design and documentation of youth-centered programs dedicated to increasing youth access to Harbor Islands and National Parks of Boston
  • Facilitates and refines place-based and virtual learning experiences with Boston Public and Schools students centered around Boston’s natural, cultural and historical resources
  • Collaborates with YMCA, Boston Centers for Youth & Families, and Boys & Girls Club program leaders to facilitate summer Harbor Discovery Camps
  • Works independently and in a team setting to create promotional and educational materials designed for youth and families, including self-guided and asynchronous materials
  • Supports Hill to Harbor Youth Conservation Corps, a summer youth employment and development program focused on engaging young people (aged 15-18) in a public engagement through facilitated island camp experiences and pop-up activities at a variety of sites in and around the harbor
  • Plans, organizes and prepares supplies and materials to effectively engage youth in their Harbor Islands and public lands
  • Integrates 21st century education practices and competencies into teaching and facilitation strategy to effectively engage youth and community partners

Michelle Pizzillo | she/her

Youth Employment & Development Program Manager

National Parks of Boston
National Park Service
C: 617-913-5350

Learn more at: npbyouth.com

I am a proud graduate of the GOAL Leadership Academy. Ask me about the program!

AmeriCorps Position (Washington, DC)

The Honey W. Nashman Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service (Nashman Center) at the George Washington University in Washington, DC is recruiting recent college graduates, graduate students, and professionals to join our AmeriCorps VISTA cohort starting in July 2022. Our VISTA members receive a living allowance while serving full time for 1 year at a designated DC Public School, with DCPS Central Office, or at the Nashman Center.  

The GWServes VISTA program leverages partnerships to support youth and families in economically disadvantaged areas of Washington, DC. We are seeking individuals who are excited about learning and helping build more equitable communities.  
  

A list of open positions may be found in the attached recruitment flyer.
  

The deadline to apply is June 10 with an anticipated start date of July 18.  

To learn more about the GWServes VISTA program, visit go.gwu.edu/vista.   
 

For questions, please contact us at gwserves@gwu.edu