Forest Transitional Kindergarten Teacher

Forest Transitional Kindergarten Teacher Position – Wildflower Open Classroom

Wildflower Open Classroom is a public charter school in Chico, California.  Chico is located in northern California at the base of the Sierra Nevada foothills.  Its central location offers access to Lake Tahoe, Lassen National Park and the San Francisco Bay area.  As a university town, Chico offers a dynamic community with many cultural and recreational opportunities.

Position Overview

Wildflower Open Classroom is hiring a teacher for our Forest Transitional Kindergarten program.  Position begins in the fall of 2026.  The position offers an opportunity to teach and learn 100% outdoors, as an extension of a small project-based, student-driven Charter school community.  This is a salaried, half-time position..  Forest School curriculum and daily rhythm are well established.  Salary and benefits commensurate with experience.

Program Overview

The Forest TK program is capped at 14 students.  The teacher arrives at 7:30 AM to set up the day, and leaves at 12:30 PM. The student schedule is M–F, 8:30 AM–12:00 PM.  Families pick up and drop off their children in Chico’s Upper Bidwell Park, at the north side of the Five Mile Recreation Area. Students are prepared each day with multiple sets of clothing for all weather, and a resilient mindset. Forest School operates in all weather, all-year long, and follows the same calendar as the rest of Wildflower campus (175 days). The Forest TK teacher collaborates with two highly-qualified teacher aides to offer a routine rich in student-driven and place-based learning, arts and crafts, song and dance, community building, and exploration. 

Successful Applicants will Possess the Following Qualities:

• A commitment to Early Childhood education practices and to play-based learning.
• A foundational understanding of Forest School philosophy, practices, and benefits, and/or willingness to participate in Forest School training program.
• CPR and First Aid certification.
• A strong knowledge of safety in the outdoors.
• Healthy risk-taking analysis for students and self.
• The ability to be reflective and open-minded in their practice.
• The desire to collaborate with all WOC staff, parents, students and community partners.
• Flexibility and resourcefulness outdoors; ability to work in all-weather conditions.
• Leadership, planning & program management abilities.
• A strong commitment to Forest School instructional practices.
• Ongoing engagement in professional growth and development.
• The ability to use word-processing, email, and spreadsheet technology to carry out tasks, and communicate with WOC staff and families.

Wildflower Vision

We are an innovative school that invites children, teachers and parents to collaborate as a community and to celebrate the adventure of learning in the classroom and in the outdoors.

Wildflower Mission

Wildflower Open Classroom focuses on the education of the “whole child” by supporting the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical needs of our students. With a diverse learning environment, students flourish through the use of the natural world, community, and innovative curriculum and facilitation of learning. Our goal is that each child is empowered to realize and develop their innate social-emotional, intellectual, creative, and leadership potential.

Qualifications

Teacher must hold appropriate California teaching certificates for Transitional Kindergarten, permits, or other documents equivalent to that which district teachers are required to hold pursuant to Education Code Section 47605(l).

Experience facilitating outdoor learning with children.

Process

All applicants will be paper-screened and must pass a criminal background check.  Applicants selected will be interviewed by a committee that will be composed of a cross section of stakeholders, which may include teachers and/or staff, parents, and school director.  Please submit letter of interest, resume, three letters of recommendation and teaching certificate via Edjoin.