Teacher / Forest Mentor for Ages 4-6 Years of Age

Forest School Teacher - Lead Educator / Mentor   - Wise Earth Forest School, Metchosin, west of Victoria on Vancouver Island, BC www.wiseearthforestschool.com Wise Earth offers nature based education such as wildcrafting, tracking, fire & shelter building with academic foundational skills for literacy and numeracy. This position is for 4 days per week (Tuesday-Friday) though 3 days is also possible Wed-Fri. It is for children ages 4-6 yrs. Responsibilities: Lead, facilitate and guide children 4 days per week in a nature based education program (Tuesday-Fridays) - Are proficient in planning, managing, and implementing a 10-month forest school program for children ages 4-6, fostering joy, delight, creativity and wonder! Facilitate Wise Earth curriculum and methodology in daily plans (training & curriculum provided, you provide the content and ways in which to implement it) Supporting children with learning their letter sounds, emerging reading, printing, math fundamentals, basic science, art and music in a nature based way Support needs for child in program with neurodivergence/autism (he also has a full-time one on one Wise Earth support staff) Have knowledge and passion of the outdoors and is committed to sustainable living models Spend the majority of the day with the children outside, rain or shine. Confidently use positive guidance approaches Intuitive and responsive to individual and group needs Foster collaborative and professional relationships with a variety of people in a diverse community Have knowledge of diverse educational approaches such as Reggio Emilia, Waldorf,   Montessori, Tom Brown, Jon Young, Coyote Mentoring. place based or experiential learning Support the day-to-day operations of the school Record, assess, and evaluate the nature school program on a regular basis Complete reports on children’s progress, skills and abilities Create weekly newsletter with regular updates, pictures and musings on the children's activities Attend and participate in regular Wise Earth Forest School meetings and professional development opportunities Communicate regularly with parents and caregivers Required: Warm, compassionate, curious, adventurous way with children Teaching, leading, guiding, mentoring children/ youth background and education Strong understanding of a nature based educational philosophy and open and willing to learn Wise Earth approach Understanding of emotional intelligence with support for communication and expression of emotions, conflict resolution Adaptable, flexible, and well-rounded with a passion for teaching and exploring other diverse avenues of child-based learning such as art, music, dance, sport, yoga, mindfulness, cooking, gardening, photography, nature connection, etc. 3+ years experience leading groups (does not all have to be teaching specifically…however being responsible and leading groups) Passion for a deep nature connection in your own life Wilderness First Aid, or General First Aid (with intent to study the other) Able to provide proof of clear Criminal Reference Check   Assets: Certified Forest School practitioner or similar mentoring / guiding / teaching background Teaching Background/Elementary Teacher Certification Willingness to learn and develop a repertoire of nature based abilities and knowledge Share your passions! Local naturalist knowledge of flora and fauna, hazards, orientation, tracking, edible & medicinal plants, gardening, farm animal care, ecology, peace making & conflict resolution, music and song, mindfulness, friction fires, shelter building, hide tanning, weaving, carving, bird language & ID, etc. *Competitive wages and professional development opportunities available *Contract position, though renewable and seeking permanent employees *Position begins Jan 10th - Jun 9th, Training is available prior to this in December/January - visits to children and program in December would be wonderful