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Bluestem Hall Nature School

Assistant Teacher

 

School mission: Bluestem Hall Nature School fosters rich learning, place-based literacy, and a deep and lifelong sense of belonging to the natural world through slowness and freedom. In modeling healthy relationships that establish trust of self, trust of others, kindness, empowerment, and body autonomy, our students will have the support to be their authentic selves. Please refer to our philosophy + guiding principles pages on our website to learn more about what drives our school! www.bluestemhall.com/home

 

Position: An Assistant Teacher will be an engaged, driven, and warm presence in the classroom helping support the Lead Teacher and guide the education of children Preschool – First Grade, ages 3 – 8. A typical day for this position will include assistant teaching at outdoor field stations on a 120-acre state protected prairie preserve as well as indoor classrooms in a restored 1963 machine shed. All staff must be prepared to spend the majority of the teaching day outside in a variety of seasons and weather conditions.

 

Responsibilities:

• Showcase an authentic drive to create a physically and emotionally safe learning environment for children.

• Help guide the early education of Preschool, Kindergarten, and First grade students with both emergent and planned curricula, recognize and follow child-led interests, and lesson plan with play-based philosophies in mind.

• Establish individual relationships with all students to ensure you can recognize their unique form of learning and can foster custom opportunities for growth

• Maintain (or develop) a thorough understanding of the native species (plant, mammal, bird, insect) present in the Barnhart Prairie Preserve, as well as a basic understanding of regional forest, river, and lake flora and fauna.

• Demonstrate the ability to establish healthy relationships with enrolled families including easy and clear communication in person. Understand the goal is to celebrate the small community and closeness our school has with all families but from a place of professional boundaries and good decision making.

• Support the class in executing the philosophies and guiding principles of the school and/or unlearning the teaching practices that do not align with the program.

• Work collaboratively and showcase the strong ability to gage, interpret, and navigate social situations with colleagues that prioritize and maintain healthy relationships.

• Take initiative to research, read books/articles, take seminars/training in the nature-based education industry.

• Take pride in your position as an advocate of community outreach and play a role in school events (upon request) such as fundraisers, donor meetings, festivals, and celebrations both public or private, some of which may (infrequently) take place during the summer break.

• Upon request from the Lead Teacher, attend any additional family conferences required to meet the social/emotional/physical/cognitive needs of all students.

• Obtain a Food Handler’s license before or shortly after the first day of work

• Complete the online Mandated Reporter Training

• Complete training and be certified in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the Heimlich maneuver

• The end of the work day will include assistance in requested cleaning duties to help restore all used spaces (classroom, library, hallways and transition spaces, bathrooms, kitchen, dressing cubbies and benches, porch, playground, field stations, entry way, chalkboard, sidewalks etc) to the condition they were in before school may include but not be limited to: sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, surface cleaning and sanitization, arranging toys and objects, dusting, and general upkeep to maintain a presentable and clean school environment. Collection and replacement of trash bags daily dropping the garbage and recycling in proper receptacles on the way out.

• Acknowledge and respect diversity and promote inclusion of all people regardless of ethnic, cultural, linguistic backgrounds, gender identity, sexual orientation, and physical and mental disabilities.

 

Qualifications:

Bluestem Hall Nature School is Recognized by the Illinois State Board as a Nonpublic School. All Employees must meet the state requirements, training, and submitted documents.

• A true sense of wonderment, joy, and the ability to find the magic in life is required.

• A degree in Education is preferred, but not required

• Experience working in an education setting such as a school, preschool, or homeschool setting is preferred

• Must have the knowledge of principles and techniques in early childhood education, or the sincere willingness to learn, and the ability to implement this knowledge through developmentally appropriate teaching.

• Experience working in Environmental Education is preferred.

• An understanding of the ecology, geology, botany, and zoology of our native midwestern prairie landscape or a willingness to learn is required.

• Prior CPR and first aid certifications, or willingness to obtain.

• Ability to sit, stand, crawl, lift children, hold children, and walk on uneven terrain will be essential. Reasonable accommodations for these physical requirements can be made to enable the right candidate.

 

The Assistant Teacher exemplifies a genuine interest in the wellbeing of children. The ability to listen, engage, teach, and communicate with children of all ages and developmental levels and with the adults in their lives is necessary. Working with a small, tight-knit team of both supervisors and supporting staff will be crucial. Cultivating parent relationships and representing our program well through verbal communication will be required. The best candidate must be able to showcase the flexibility to work as a cohesive team in our small nonprofit organization.

 

Job Type:

The typical Assistant Teacher schedule is 5 hours a day 830-130 (full time work may be considered for the right candidate).

When serving as a Substitute Lead Teacher the schedule may extend to 800-230.

5 days a week

Salary Range: $18-$20/hour commensurate with experience

Contact Person: Abbie Frank, Executive Director

Email: school@bluestemhall.com

Address: 1401 E Old Church Road Urbana, Illinois 61802

 

How to Apply:

Please email us at school@bluestemhall.com:

1. your resume

2. a paragraph introducing yourself, highlighting your unique interest in the position

*this does not need to be a formal “cover letter” unless you want it to be. We want to get a sense of who you are!

 

Non-Discrimination Statement:

Bluestem Hall Nature School will not base assignment and promotion decisions on stereotypes and assumptions about a person's race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information. Bluestem Hall Nature School is committed to being a site of equal opportunity for employment and education.