Are you an educator seeking the opportunity to inspire, nurture, and guide young learners in a Reggio-inspired outdoor school environment?
Overview
We are seeking a passionate and dynamic teacher who enjoys students in kindergarten, first, or second grade to join our team for the 2025-2026 school year. The ideal candidates are innovative educators who are excited to teach in an outdoor and project-oriented environment while inspiring students to grow academically, socially, and emotionally.
Responsibilities:
Instructional Design and Delivery:
Create and implement engaging lesson plans that integrate nature-based and project-based approaches with academic standards.
Foster an interdisciplinary curriculum that emphasizes literacy, numeracy, science, and the arts.
Competence in addressing Tennessee Standards and ensuring academic progress for students.
Adapt teaching strategies to meet the needs of diverse learners.
Deliver lessons and utilize assessment tools from Wilson Reading’s Fundations Curriculum and Dimensions Math Curriculum in order to provide foundational skills in reading and math as well as monitor student learning.
Outdoor and Experiential Learning:
Lead students in outdoor educational activities, including nature walks, gardening, and ecological studies.
Incorporate hands-on, real-world projects that encourage problem-solving, collaboration, and inquiry.
Willingness and capability to transfer skills and experiences from indoor classroom environments to outdoor settings.
Classroom Environment:
Cultivate a positive, inclusive, and respectful classroom culture.
Utilize restorative practices to support social-emotional learning and conflict resolution.
Dedication to fostering a sense of community and healthy relationship development among all participants.
Collaboration and Communication:
Work closely with fellow teachers and staff to develop and refine the curriculum.
Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, including coordination with other grade-level teachers and farm educators.
Communicate regularly with families to provide updates on student progress and share classroom experiences.
Professional Development:
Stay current with best practices in nature-based and project-based education through ongoing professional learning.
Contribute to the school community by participating in events, meetings, and collaborative projects.
Qualifications:
Bachelor's or Master's degree in early childhood education (K-2) or elementary education.
Demonstrated experience in elementary education, preferably with a focus on experiential or outdoor learning.
Passion for environmental education and project-based pedagogy.
Strong communication, collaboration, and organizational skills.
Ability to be flexible, creative, and energetic in a dynamic learning environment.
Minimum of one year of experience teaching early elementary grades.
Proficiency in project-based teaching, demonstrating examples of past projects and a strong passion for this approach.
Familiarity with the Reggio Emilia approach to education.
Physical stamina for outdoor activities such as hiking on uneven terrain and tolerance for insect bites and ticks, coupled with a genuine love for wildlife.
Interest in gardening and enthusiasm for integrating animals like goats, chickens, and native species into the curriculum through project-based learning.
Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
Experience in documenting learning through photographs and written reflections (e.g., albums, portfolios, books).
Excellent organizational abilities.
A commitment to promoting a naturalistic lifestyle and advocating for environmental conservation at both local and global levels.
Schedule: 8am to 4pm
Living in Nashville or the surrounding area to reliably commute to school on time, or planning to relocate before starting work is required.
What We Offer:
Yearly renewable position from August 4, 2025 to July 31, 2026. Summers are spent with camp duties, professional development, teacher training, and in-service days.
Benefits:
Paid planning time weekly
Paid time off: about 28 days
Paid In-Service days: 22 days
Paid personal time: 40 hours
Paid sick time: 48 hours
Monthly bonus of $200 to be applied to your choice of tuition, health care, or IRA.
Worker’s Compensation Insurance.
Half price summer camps for your children.
A supportive and collaborative teaching community.
Opportunities for professional growth and development.
A beautiful outdoor campus designed to inspire and engage learners.
Pay: $22 to $24/hour based on degrees and experience.
To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter to pecanvalley.director@anewleafschool.org
Join us in cultivating curiosity, wonder, and a lifelong love of learning at A New Leaf School of Nashville!