Forest Preschool Teacher

Wauhatchie Forest School offers families a holistic, nature-based approach to education through programs that foster collaboration, curiosity, creativity, connection, and a profound sense of belonging – empowering learners to become compassionate leaders and active contributors to a vibrant community and a sustainable world. Wauhatchie School is located at four campuses around Chattanooga, TN.

Forest Preschool Description

Pre-K classes for our youngest learners build on the innate sense of wonder children have about the natural world. While immersed in the forest, Pre-K teachers are fierce protectors of childhood. We encourage play, practice kindness, and express ourselves as individuals as we all grow together. This slow, experiential approach to learning through exploration, risk-taking, social & emotional support, and gentle invitations to expand understanding creates a foundation of curiosity, endless resilience, and a joy in learning that our students carry forth into the rest of their educational journey. 

Wauhatchie Forest School is seeking part time employees for our half-day nature immersion program for children ages 3-5. We seek nature loving educators who are intentional and reflective in their work with children and who are looking to grow professionally through mentorship and teamwork within a supportive community of outdoor practitioners. The ideal candidate has a background working with young learners, is dedicated to child-directed and play-based learning, practices a growth mindset, and holds a love for nature. The Forest Preschool Teacher will work with a co-teacher to create an optimal learning environment for students and will spend the entire class session outdoors in all weather, including hiking and moderate physical challenges. Employment is 10 months, from August to May with the possibility of summer camp employment available.

Responsibilities

• Using a variety of activities (songs, stories, art, movement, manipulatives, etc.) to motivate, stimulate, and help grow children’s knowledge & abilities
• Encouraging connection and awareness of nature, others, and self 
• Meeting the emotional, social, and physical needs of each child
• Maintaining daily open communication with parents by checking in at dropoff/pickup times, posting photos, and sharing weekly short narratives on our school app
• Same-day documenting and distributing of accident and incident reports to parents and administration
• Overseeing a daily site assessment of the outdoor site before each session, making sure all hazards are properly assessed and amended to provide a safe environment for children
• Documenting and recording children’s behaviors, progressions, and development in a nature journals to share with the parents and administration twice per year
• Working with a teaching team to collaborate on nature immersion activities and best practices in forest school ethos

Expectations

• Attendance at all planned school events, weekdays and 2-3 weekends per year

• Attendance at all inservice & professional development days and all staff meetings

• Demonstrate loyalty and commitment to Wauhatchie School and all staff members as a positive team player

• Participation in reflective journaling and ongoing education of forest school philosophy and ethos

• Documented experience working with children aged 3-5 in a school, camp, or other organized setting.

• Ability and desire to encourage experiences that are play-based and child-centered.

• Deep appreciation for and connection to nature.

• A mindset of ongoing growth and learning in your teaching practice.

• Familiarity with outdoor learning; some familiarity with Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, Montessori, and other early childhood methodologies is preferred.

• Highly relational and effective collaborator and communicator

• Associates or Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education is preferred, but not required.

• Physical Ability: Able to teach for extended periods of time outdoors in all weather, with hiking and moderate physical challenges, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Salary & Schedule

• Pay range is $16-$18 an hour depending on experience. 

• Paid holidays, including fall, winter, & spring breaks aligning with the Hamilton County School Calendar

• General daily schedule is from 8:30am - 1:30pm

• Teachers are expected to attend all inservice & professional development days

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.