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Zoo School Assistant Teacher

Posted: March 9, 2023 by cece

Category: Lake Superior Zoo

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Zoo School Assistant Teacher
Job Type
  • Full Time
Organization Lake Superior Zoo
Job Description

Summary: This position is an assistant teaching and caregiving position for the Lake Superior Zoo School, a nature preschool at the Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth, MN. We have one classroom of 18 children ages 33 months-5 years old. Equipped with growing knowledge in early childhood development or a related field and the ability to inspire children to connect with nature through play and exploration, the Assistant Teacher fosters positive relationships with children, parents, and staff to benefit whole-child growth. Together with the teaching team, this position assists in planning, implementing, and documenting learning; maintaining safety and regulation standards; and participating in nature-based activities with the children in all safe weather conditions. The Assistant Teacher should be organized, responsible, joyful, energetic, flexible, child-focused, safety-conscious, and enjoy being outdoors year-round for most of the day.

This is a full time, year-round position with benefits that begins full time on May 30, 2023. Part time hours are available in April and May if interested.

Principal Duties:

Teaching and Curriculum:

  • Assist in facilitation of developmentally appropriate nature-based preschool programming.
  • Assist in planning learning opportunities based on child interests, including outdoor activities, play, art, music, dance and drama, language, math, science, technology, social/emotional, gross and fine motor.
  • Help young children with self-help skills in dressing, grooming, bathroom activities, etc.
  • Assist in preparing environments and materials to support learning opportunities.
  • Assist in conducting formative assessments and maintain child portfolios.

Relationships:

  • Sustain a welcoming, peaceful, and joyful classroom family atmosphere.
  • Assist in developing children’s emotional, social, and behavioral skills through connection with nature, positive guidance, conflict resolution strategies, and mindfulness approaches.
  • Sustain a culturally responsive inclusive environment for children and their families.

Physical Environment:

  • Assure children’s physical and emotional safety, including following procedures in medication administration, allergy management, and authorized release.
  • Assist in maintaining a 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 Teacher and/or Director.

Families:

  • 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:

  • Collaborate with parents, guardians, education staff, and other zoo departments.
  • Maintain compliance with all relevant governmental, company, and departmental rules and regulations.

Qualifications:

Education & Experience:

  • High school diploma or GED required.
  • Valid CDA – or – 12 college credits in Early Childhood Education (ECE), Child Development (CD), Elementary Education (ELED), Early Childhood Special Education (ECSPED), or enrolled in a program that will lead to these qualifications – or – Associate’s Degree or Bachelor’s Degree in Education or a related field.
  • Experience preferred in nature-based programming and demonstrated interest in conservation and environmental education.

Skill and Ability Requirements:

  • Must demonstrate strong emotional intelligence, including empathy and listening skillset.
  • Must demonstrate working knowledge of hazards and risk assessment as related to the environments of young children.
  • Must be flexible and willing to assist with a variety of teaching and administrative duties.
  • Must be able to create a culturally responsive inclusive environment for children and their families.
  • Knowledge of basic biologic, ecologic, geologic, natural historic concepts preferred.
  • Must be able to communicate positively and effectively in English, orally and in writing. Communication in another language a plus.
  • Must demonstrate computer literacy, including use of Microsoft Office Suite and email.

Other:

  • Pediatric CPR/first aid certification required, or the ability to receive certification within 2 weeks of employment.
  • Successful background check required.
  • Must have reliable transportation.
Location Lake Superior Zoo
Expires 2023-04-14
Link https://lszooduluth.org/about/employment/
MAEE Partner Lake Superior Zoo
Zoo School Assistant Teacher
  • Full Time
Lake Superior Zoo
Location: Lake Superior Zoo
Expires: 2023-04-14
Link: https://lszooduluth.org/about/employment/
MAEE Partner: Lake Superior Zoo
Job Description:

Summary: This position is an assistant teaching and caregiving position for the Lake Superior Zoo School, a nature preschool at the Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth, MN. We have one classroom of 18 children ages 33 months-5 years old. Equipped with growing knowledge in early childhood development or a related field and the ability to inspire children to connect with nature through play and exploration, the Assistant Teacher fosters positive relationships with children, parents, and staff to benefit whole-child growth. Together with the teaching team, this position assists in planning, implementing, and documenting learning; maintaining safety and regulation standards; and participating in nature-based activities with the children in all safe weather conditions. The Assistant Teacher should be organized, responsible, joyful, energetic, flexible, child-focused, safety-conscious, and enjoy being outdoors year-round for most of the day.

This is a full time, year-round position with benefits that begins full time on May 30, 2023. Part time hours are available in April and May if interested.

Principal Duties:

Teaching and Curriculum:

  • Assist in facilitation of developmentally appropriate nature-based preschool programming.
  • Assist in planning learning opportunities based on child interests, including outdoor activities, play, art, music, dance and drama, language, math, science, technology, social/emotional, gross and fine motor.
  • Help young children with self-help skills in dressing, grooming, bathroom activities, etc.
  • Assist in preparing environments and materials to support learning opportunities.
  • Assist in conducting formative assessments and maintain child portfolios.

Relationships:

  • Sustain a welcoming, peaceful, and joyful classroom family atmosphere.
  • Assist in developing children’s emotional, social, and behavioral skills through connection with nature, positive guidance, conflict resolution strategies, and mindfulness approaches.
  • Sustain a culturally responsive inclusive environment for children and their families.

Physical Environment:

  • Assure children’s physical and emotional safety, including following procedures in medication administration, allergy management, and authorized release.
  • Assist in maintaining a 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 Teacher and/or Director.

Families:

  • 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:

  • Collaborate with parents, guardians, education staff, and other zoo departments.
  • Maintain compliance with all relevant governmental, company, and departmental rules and regulations.

Qualifications:

Education & Experience:

  • High school diploma or GED required.
  • Valid CDA – or – 12 college credits in Early Childhood Education (ECE), Child Development (CD), Elementary Education (ELED), Early Childhood Special Education (ECSPED), or enrolled in a program that will lead to these qualifications – or – Associate’s Degree or Bachelor’s Degree in Education or a related field.
  • Experience preferred in nature-based programming and demonstrated interest in conservation and environmental education.

Skill and Ability Requirements:

  • Must demonstrate strong emotional intelligence, including empathy and listening skillset.
  • Must demonstrate working knowledge of hazards and risk assessment as related to the environments of young children.
  • Must be flexible and willing to assist with a variety of teaching and administrative duties.
  • Must be able to create a culturally responsive inclusive environment for children and their families.
  • Knowledge of basic biologic, ecologic, geologic, natural historic concepts preferred.
  • Must be able to communicate positively and effectively in English, orally and in writing. Communication in another language a plus.
  • Must demonstrate computer literacy, including use of Microsoft Office Suite and email.

Other:

  • Pediatric CPR/first aid certification required, or the ability to receive certification within 2 weeks of employment.
  • Successful background check required.
  • Must have reliable transportation.
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  • Partner Submission
From this partner
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  • Zoo School Assistant Teacher
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