FIDDLEHEADS AFTERNOON TEACHER (TEMPORARY) - University of Washington

Req #: 237922 Department: SEF: UW BOTANIC GARDENS Appointing Department Web Address: https://botanicgardens.uw.edu/washington-park-arboretum/ Posting Date: 08/23/2024 Closing Info: Open Until Filled Salary: $20.15 - $25.55 per hour Shift: First Shift Notes: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here. (https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/04/benefits-summary-classified-staff-less-than-half-time-20230701\_a11y.pdf) As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills, and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world. UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty. **The University of Washington Botanic Gardens seeks multiple** **_Temporary_** **Fiddleheads Forest School Afternoon Teachers (NE H NI SEIU 925 Non Supv).** **Location:** University of Washington Botanic Gardens, Washington Park Arboretum - Seattle, WA **University of Washington Botanic Gardens (UWBG) Education Program Mission:** Provide meaningful educational experiences that enrich participants' connections with plants and the natural world. **Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:** At the University of Washington Botanic Gardens, we value and honor diverse experiences and perspectives, strive to create welcoming and respectful learning environments, and promote access, fairness, and opportunity for all. We see implicit and explicit exclusion from green spaces like botanic gardens as an injustice that shapes our past and present and must be countered as we move into the future. As a community, we believe that working to achieve equity and promote inclusion is both crucial and complex; we embrace the continuous commitment, the collective growth mindset, and the humility required to make meaningful transformation. For the full statement of commitment, visit https://botanicgardens.uw.edu/about/ The University of Washington Botanic Gardens Youth and Family Education programs serve over 10,000 youth ages 2-18 and their families each year through family classes, school field trips, summer camp and preschool programs. Tucked within the University of Washington Botanic Gardens and the Youth and Family Education Programs is the Fiddleheads Forest School, an entirely outdoor preschool for students ages three to six. At the Fiddleheads Forest School, we aim to foster a sense of wonder, to guide rather than compel, and to provide room for possibility rather than attempt to constrain children's interests to fit within a certain curriculum. Unlike traditional programs, the Forest School classroom grows and changes along with its students. This dynamic environment offers an unparalleled setting for the development of self-regulation and fundamental appreciation for the natural world. Our unique, child-driven curriculum addresses the individual developmental needs of every student. Each day is approached with joy and wonder at the wide world around us. **POSITION PURPOSE** This position will co-lead all aspects of implementing the afternoon enrichment programming and extended day programming in Fiddleheads Forest School, a fully outdoors nature preschool program. This teacher will work with one other teacher to co-teach classes of up to 14 students in our afternoon class while spending most of that time outdoors, exploring the natural world through age-appropriate lessons and activities. This position includes time for planning and preparation, ranges in hours from 12-20 hours per week, and includes some evenings and weekends for special school events. **DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES** - Help 4-6 year olds discover and develop a relationship with the natural environment by assisting students with established activities using items found in nature, while modeling healthy engagement with the environment, positive social interaction and self-regulation, and curiosity for the natural world. Ensure the health, safety and well-being of students through overview, site surveys and risk assessment. - Co-lead prepared curricular activities that are developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive for 4-6year olds, incorporating foundational natural science and social and emotional learning concepts as well as emergent interests of student population. - Maintain clear communications with fellow staff, interns, students, and their families to achieve common goals, support the development of all students, and avoid potential conflicts. - Assist with documentation of student learning. - Assist in efficient preparation, organization, and maintenance of teaching supplies and materials including regular cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting according to health guidelines. - Other related duties as assigned, including potential time substituting in any classroom. **Decision-making Authority:** Ability to make decisions in the field related to the health, safety and well-being of a child and/or children when the situation does not allow for consultation with a supervisor. **MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS** - High school graduation or equivalent AND Two years of full-time clerical experience OR Equivalent education/experience. **DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS** - One year of experience working with early learners in a formal setting AND authorization to work in a licensed early childcare setting in the State of Washington. - Excellent communication skills and ability to work outdoors in all types of weather. Flexible work hours include occasional evening and weekend work. - Associate or Bachelor's Degree or formal training in early childhood education, environmental education, or related areas. - Experience working with diverse and neurodiverse learners. Creativity, flexibility and understanding necessary for working with children, parents and staff members. University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.