Saint Mark’s School is an independent, Episcopal coeducational day school in Altadena, California. Founded in 1960, the school serves the needs of approximately 300 preschool through sixth grade students from diverse ethnic, racial, religious, and economic backgrounds. The School’s mission is to develop the unique intellect and character of each student in a nurturing environment committed to academic excellence, respect for diversity, responsibility, and spiritual growth.
Saint Mark’s School is seeking an energetic and collaborative Preschool Outdoor Classroom Teacher who brings creativity, innovation, joy, and a nurturing spirit to their early childhood practice and pedagogy. The ideal candidate will create meaningful outdoor learning experiences for preschool students that foster curiosity, promote creativity, develop an appreciation for nature, and contribute to the positive development of the whole child within a developmentally informed, child-centered program. The Preschool Outdoor Classroom Teacher is responsible for the daily setup, breakdown, and oversight of the preschool play yards, collaborating with the preschool lead teachers to offer developmentally-appropriate outdoor activities that support the development of foundational knowledge and skills and actively engage students in discovering their world and making meaningful connections.
The Preschool Outdoor Learning Teacher reports directly to the Preschool Director.
Position Status:
Part-time (30 hours); Non-exempt
Date Posted:
August 14, 2023
Date Available:
August 22, 2023
Minimum Qualifications:
A bachelor’s degree (or in process) in early childhood education or child development is preferred; actively working toward advancing in the field of early childhood education (additional coursework, degree, teacher certification, etc.)
Child Development Teacher Permit
Level 1 Outdoor Classroom Training is preferred
Experience working with young children and knowledge of Title 22 licensing requirements
Preferred Qualifications and Skills:
Must love working with young children and demonstrate enthusiasm for supporting their growth and development through developmentally appropriate practices that support outdoor learning
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills
Creative, energetic, patient, resourceful, flexible, innovative, and positive
Willingness to try new things and a curiosity about nature
Open to constructive feedback and willingness to pursue professional growth opportunities
Commitment to development of relevant professional knowledge, skills, and abilities in early childhood practices and pedagogy
Willingness to participate in ongoing professional training in diversity, equity, and inclusion
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Acts in a manner corresponding to the requirements of the Employee Handbook of Saint Mark’s School or the requests of the head of school, assistant head of school, or preschool director.
Demonstrates professionalism through punctuality, collaboration, organization, participation in meetings and staff development opportunities. Maintains professional behavior including appropriate dress, good judgment, integrity, diplomacy, confidentiality, and a respectful attitude in professional relationships.
Plans and implements age-appropriate curriculum and activities designed to promote foundational academic, physical, and social-emotional growth for children, including through distance learning as needed.
Actively seeks to design an engaging learning environment where children can develop their potential and experience growth, regularly assessing and updating the curriculum and methods of instruction to best meet the needs of students and the School.
Demonstrates a commitment to diversity and equity, fostering a safe, culturally responsive, and inclusive learning environment and actively contributing to a healthy, equitable environment for all members of the community; always models appropriate and ethical behavior.
Identifies and provides for the learning needs of individual children, working collaboratively with the preschool director, Student Support Team, and the assistant head of school, as needed, to reach the range of learners within the preschool program.
Assesses the growth and development of students with the aim of communicating the progress of the students clearly and accurately in verbal and written form, as requested.
Communicates effectively with children, parents, and colleagues in a professional and positive manner and is available and responsive to parents’ questions and concerns.
Demonstrates professionalism through punctuality, collaboration, organization, participation in meetings and staff development opportunities. Maintains professional behavior including appropriate dress, good judgment, integrity, diplomacy, confidentiality, and a respectful attitude in professional relationships.
Shows respect and care for each child and their emerging identity. Implements school and playground rules and behavior expectations in a professional manner, consistent with the School’s philosophy.
Provides for the safety and well-being of all students at all times by maintaining a safe, secure, and appealing, and child-oriented learning environment, consistent with Title 22 licensing regulations, in which students can grow in autonomy as they play and learn together.
Visually supervises children in a manner that is in compliance with Title 22 licensing regulations. This includes appropriately responding to injuries and unexpected circumstances, including following the guidelines of the Emergency Preparedness Plan and taking responsibility for assisting with students’ safety in an emergency situation or drill.
Assumes an equal share of the housekeeping/set-up and clean-up responsibilities of the staff.
Meets and collaborates regularly with the preschool director to share plans and vision for the outdoor classroom.
Attends faculty meetings, as requested, and professional development days.
Demonstrates reflective practice and a growth mindset, setting annual goals and keeping current in contemporary and developmentally appropriate pedagogical thinking, strategies, and techniques through reading of professional journals and attendance at professional conferences, workshops, and courses.
Demonstrates a commitment to building and sustaining a collaborative professional learning community, serving on committees, engaging in professional group work, and contributing to a positive school climate.
Participates enthusiastically in Admissions Open House, Kindergarten Admissions Screenings, and other school events in support of and as requested by the School.
Completes required training each year (CPR and Basic Pediatric First Aid, mandatory reporting, pesticide training, and all other training required by the School).
Leaves adequate written plans and instructions for substitutes, as requested.
Relates to and works well with both children and adults and possesses the cultural competency and ability to navigate and promote sensitivity with issues of diversity, inclusion, and equity.
Exhibits willingness to take on other duties as assigned.
Physical Abilities:
Job includes some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling; some climbing and balancing; some stooping, kneeling, crouching and/or crawling; hearing, speaking, observing and significant fine finger dexterity. Specific abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Generally the job requires 10% sitting, 45% walking and 45% standing and the ability to lift or move up to 50 pounds. The job is performed under temperature variations, in a generally hazard free environment, and in a clean atmosphere.
Hourly Rate: $20.00 - $24.00 per hour. Compensation will be based on education and years of experience.
Benefits: A full benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision coverage and a TIAA/CREF retirement plan.
Submissions: Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter and current resume to Oonagh Delaney, Preschool Director, at odelaney@saint-marks.org.
Non-Discrimination Policy: Saint Mark’s School is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, the presence of mental, physical, or sensory disability, sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by federal or state law.
