Assistant Outdoor Preschool Teacher

Lake Nixon Outdoor Center seeks a full-time Teacher to join the team at the Lake Nixon Outdoor Preschool (LNOP). The Teacher will help fulfill LNOP’s mission to inspire children (ages 3-5) with a connection to the outdoors. Children at LNOP are taught through nature immersion, play and exploration in an inquiry-based environment that supports child-led learning through an evolving and emergent curriculum.

Program Description:
LNOP is located within the 200+ acre Lake Nixon Outdoor Center (LNOC) in Little Rock, AR.
Owned and operated by Second Baptist Church, LNOC provides outdoor and educational programs for over 500 children and adults each year. LNOP has a talented and dynamic staff of full- and part-time educators, administrative support staff and volunteers. LNOP is open year-round and the majority of the preschool day is spent learning and playing outdoors in all weather. The staff to child ratio is kept at a maximum of 1:8. Classes are team-taught by a Lead
Educator and other teachers and staff. A typical day will include supporting the Lead Educator, offering further extension activities and engaging with the children. Each Teacher will be responsible for their small group of children while ensuring basic safety for the entire class as a whole.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Ensure the health, safety and welfare of the children at all times.
• Greet parents as they enter the building and relay communications between the parent and Lead Teacher when necessary.
• Ensure proper attendance records are maintained.
• Assist Lead Educator with daily preparation, including, but not limited to creating lesson plans, gathering materials and texts, and cleaning.
• Help to ensure compliance with the regulations and statutes of the Arkansas Department of Human Services and best practices of early childhood education.
• Create a welcoming family environment and effectively communicate with parents and families (individually and in groups) including newsletters, emails, parent/teacher conferences, and social events.
• Assist with LNOP special events and, as needed, with LNOC’s special events.
• Obtain at least twenty hours of training each year in continuing Early Childhood Education and/or Outdoor Education.
• Learn and implement Conscious Discipline practices within the school.
• Fulfill other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

• Must be over the age of 18 and have a High School Diploma
• Must complete First Aid & CPR training
• Subject to Arkansas Child Maltreatment Central Registry Check, Criminal Record Check and drug screening.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Active interest in the natural world and a commitment to its use as a central and daily learning & play environment
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude while teaching in all weather conditions
• Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to communicate clearly, positively, and in a timely manner with children, families, and co-workers
• Strong organizational, time-management and multi-tasking abilities
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for parent meetings, in-service trainings, and/or special events
• Experience teaching in outdoors or in an environmental education program preferred
• Experience teaching children (ages 3-5) in a child-centered, developmentally appropriate program preferred
• Associate's Degree or BA in Early Childhood Education or related field preferred

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to perform tasks requiring physical exertion indoors and outdoors, in all weather conditions, and on difficult and varied terrain while supervising young children
• Ability to stand, stoop, bend, kneel, pull, push, sit without back support, and lift and carry up to 50 pounds occasionally and 10-35 pounds frequently

Status and Compensation:

• Full-time: New employees may be required to attend up to two weeks of paid new hire training during the month of August. Staff will begin assisting the Lead Teacher on

September 6, 2022.

Hours: 7:00 am - 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday, plus rare, mandatory after-hours events

Salary and Benefits: $26,000 - $27,500.This is a year-round position with a benefits package included.
Employee will be entitled to time off for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Spring Break, according to LNOP calendar, and in addition, may accrue up to 7 full vacation days.

Vacation days must be scheduled with the Director and placed on the calendar prior to time off.

This position will remain open until filled.
This position will report to the Program Director.

How to apply:

Apply now on Indeed.com here: https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=Lake%20Nixon%20Outdoor%20Preschool%20&l&vjk=0e404c360d849f10