This job is a lead teaching and caregiving position for the Lake Superior Zoo School program, a nature-based preschool at the Lake Superior Zoo. Classes are mixed-age groups of children ages 3-5 years old who attend year-round full week care between the hours of 7:30 am and 5:30 pm. Equipped with a strong background in early childhood development or a related field and the ability to inspire children to connect with nature through play and exploration, the teacher fosters positive relationships with children, parents, and staff to benefit whole-child growth. Together with the teaching team, this position is responsible for planning, implementing, and documenting learning; maintaining safety and regulation standards; and participating in nature-based activities with the children in all safe
weather conditions. Teachers are organized, responsible, joyful, energetic, flexible, child-focused, safety-conscious, and enjoy being outdoors year round for the majority of the day.
Teaching and Curriculum Duties:
• Facilitate developmentally appropriate nature-based preschool programming.
• Incorporate project based learning in an emergent curriculum that aligns with Minnesota’s Early
Learning Standards (ECIPs) and North American Association for Environmental Education
(NAAEE) Guidelines.
• Plan learning opportunities based on child interests, including outdoor activities, play, art, music, dance, drama, language, math, science, technology, social/emotional, gross and fine motor.
• Help young children with self-help skills in dressing, grooming, bathroom activities, etc.
• Prepare environments and materials to support learning opportunities.
• Conduct formative assessments and maintain child portfolios.
Relationship Duties:
• Create and sustain a welcoming, peaceful and joyful classroom family atmosphere.
• Develop children’s emotional, social, and behavioral skills through connection with nature,
positive guidance, conflict resolution strategies, and mindfulness approaches.
• Create a culturally responsive inclusive environment for children and their families.
Physical Environment Duties:
• Assure children’s physical and emotional safety, including following procedures in medication
administration, allergy management, and authorized release.
• Maintain clean, healthy, safe outdoor and indoor environment. Ensure accurate and timely
documentation of compliance logs.
• Respond to emergencies in a calm and responsible manner.
• Communicate concerns about the learning environment or children to the Preschool Director.
Family Duties:
• Involve families in their children’s educational growth, and encourage families to fully participate
in the program.
• Positively communicate child progress with family members and other teaching staff.
Administration and Operations Duties:
• Collaborate with parents, guardians, education staff, and other zoo departments.
• Maintain compliance with all relevant governmental, company, and departmental rules and
regulations.
• Lead teaching assistants and volunteers.
• Assume the responsibilities for the center in the absence of the Preschool Director.
Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in education, environmental education, or related field. Bachelor’s degree
in Early Childhood Education and a valid Minnesota teaching license in Early Childhood or
Pre-K preferred.
• Experience working with children younger than 8 years old in a group setting required.
• College credit hours in Early Childhood Education, child psychology, or child development
preferred.
• 2 years teaching experience in a licensed child care center preferred.
• Experience in nature based programming and demonstrated interest in conservation and
environmental education preferred.
Zoo Preschool Teacher
Posted: October 28, 2021 by MAEE Administration
Category: Lake Superior Zoo
This job is a lead teaching and caregiving position for the Lake Superior Zoo School program, a nature-based preschool at the Lake Superior Zoo. Classes are mixed-age groups of children ages 3-5 years old who attend year-round full week care between the hours of 7:30 am and 5:30 pm. Equipped with a strong background in early childhood development or a related field and the ability to inspire children to connect with nature through play and exploration, the teacher fosters positive relationships with children, parents, and staff to benefit whole-child growth. Together with the teaching team, this position is responsible for planning, implementing, and documenting learning; maintaining safety and regulation standards; and participating in nature-based activities with the children in all safe
weather conditions. Teachers are organized, responsible, joyful, energetic, flexible, child-focused, safety-conscious, and enjoy being outdoors year round for the majority of the day.
Teaching and Curriculum Duties:
• Facilitate developmentally appropriate nature-based preschool programming.
• Incorporate project based learning in an emergent curriculum that aligns with Minnesota’s Early
Learning Standards (ECIPs) and North American Association for Environmental Education
(NAAEE) Guidelines.
• Plan learning opportunities based on child interests, including outdoor activities, play, art, music, dance, drama, language, math, science, technology, social/emotional, gross and fine motor.
• Help young children with self-help skills in dressing, grooming, bathroom activities, etc.
• Prepare environments and materials to support learning opportunities.
• Conduct formative assessments and maintain child portfolios.
Relationship Duties:
• Create and sustain a welcoming, peaceful and joyful classroom family atmosphere.
• Develop children’s emotional, social, and behavioral skills through connection with nature,
positive guidance, conflict resolution strategies, and mindfulness approaches.
• Create a culturally responsive inclusive environment for children and their families.
Physical Environment Duties:
• Assure children’s physical and emotional safety, including following procedures in medication
administration, allergy management, and authorized release.
• Maintain clean, healthy, safe outdoor and indoor environment. Ensure accurate and timely
documentation of compliance logs.
• Respond to emergencies in a calm and responsible manner.
• Communicate concerns about the learning environment or children to the Preschool Director.
Family Duties:
• Involve families in their children’s educational growth, and encourage families to fully participate
in the program.
• Positively communicate child progress with family members and other teaching staff.
Administration and Operations Duties:
• Collaborate with parents, guardians, education staff, and other zoo departments.
• Maintain compliance with all relevant governmental, company, and departmental rules and
regulations.
• Lead teaching assistants and volunteers.
• Assume the responsibilities for the center in the absence of the Preschool Director.
Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in education, environmental education, or related field. Bachelor’s degree
in Early Childhood Education and a valid Minnesota teaching license in Early Childhood or
Pre-K preferred.
• Experience working with children younger than 8 years old in a group setting required.
• College credit hours in Early Childhood Education, child psychology, or child development
preferred.
• 2 years teaching experience in a licensed child care center preferred.
• Experience in nature based programming and demonstrated interest in conservation and
environmental education preferred.
This job is a lead teaching and caregiving position for the Lake Superior Zoo School program, a nature-based preschool at the Lake Superior Zoo. Classes are mixed-age groups of children ages 3-5 years old who attend year-round full week care between the hours of 7:30 am and 5:30 pm. Equipped with a strong background in early childhood development or a related field and the ability to inspire children to connect with nature through play and exploration, the teacher fosters positive relationships with children, parents, and staff to benefit whole-child growth. Together with the teaching team, this position is responsible for planning, implementing, and documenting learning; maintaining safety and regulation standards; and participating in nature-based activities with the children in all safe
weather conditions. Teachers are organized, responsible, joyful, energetic, flexible, child-focused, safety-conscious, and enjoy being outdoors year round for the majority of the day.
Teaching and Curriculum Duties:
• Facilitate developmentally appropriate nature-based preschool programming.
• Incorporate project based learning in an emergent curriculum that aligns with Minnesota’s Early
Learning Standards (ECIPs) and North American Association for Environmental Education
(NAAEE) Guidelines.
• Plan learning opportunities based on child interests, including outdoor activities, play, art, music, dance, drama, language, math, science, technology, social/emotional, gross and fine motor.
• Help young children with self-help skills in dressing, grooming, bathroom activities, etc.
• Prepare environments and materials to support learning opportunities.
• Conduct formative assessments and maintain child portfolios.
Relationship Duties:
• Create and sustain a welcoming, peaceful and joyful classroom family atmosphere.
• Develop children’s emotional, social, and behavioral skills through connection with nature,
positive guidance, conflict resolution strategies, and mindfulness approaches.
• Create a culturally responsive inclusive environment for children and their families.
Physical Environment Duties:
• Assure children’s physical and emotional safety, including following procedures in medication
administration, allergy management, and authorized release.
• Maintain clean, healthy, safe outdoor and indoor environment. Ensure accurate and timely
documentation of compliance logs.
• Respond to emergencies in a calm and responsible manner.
• Communicate concerns about the learning environment or children to the Preschool Director.
Family Duties:
• Involve families in their children’s educational growth, and encourage families to fully participate
in the program.
• Positively communicate child progress with family members and other teaching staff.
Administration and Operations Duties:
• Collaborate with parents, guardians, education staff, and other zoo departments.
• Maintain compliance with all relevant governmental, company, and departmental rules and
regulations.
• Lead teaching assistants and volunteers.
• Assume the responsibilities for the center in the absence of the Preschool Director.
Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in education, environmental education, or related field. Bachelor’s degree
in Early Childhood Education and a valid Minnesota teaching license in Early Childhood or
Pre-K preferred.
• Experience working with children younger than 8 years old in a group setting required.
• College credit hours in Early Childhood Education, child psychology, or child development
preferred.
• 2 years teaching experience in a licensed child care center preferred.
• Experience in nature based programming and demonstrated interest in conservation and
environmental education preferred.