Early Childhood Educator – Dragonfly Nature Preschool

The Ridges Sanctuary mission is to inspire positive environmetal behaviors through impactful educational experience, land management and protection, and ecological research. The Ridges was established in 1937 after Albert Fuller, then Curator of Botany at the Milwaukee Public Museum, began spending a significant amount of time surveying the landscape. Fuller spearheaded a grassroots movement to protect this incredibly diverse property and establish Wisconsin’s first land trust. The Ridges now protects over 1600 acres comprising fifteen discrete plant communities, 475 inventoried vascular plants, a Boreal Forest glacial relict and twenty-six of Wisconsin’s forty-nine native orchids. The Ridges has also established popular early childhood education programs, a nationally recognized Orchid Restoration Project, and welcomes over 35,000 visitors to our Nature Center each year.

Position Summary

The Ridges Sanctuary seeks to hire a Lead Preschool Teacher for Dragonfly Nature Preschool, which will be an official site of the Gibraltar School District 4K Collaborative. The preschool sessions are scheduled for mornings, Monday – Thursday, with parent outreach scheduled for some Fridays. This position is full time, year-round at 40-hour per week. The primary responsibility will be to develop and lead the Dragonfly Nature Preschool. Because Dragonfly Nature Preschool is a collaborative 4K with the Gibraltar School District, the Lead Teacher will work with school district officials as needed. This position directly reports to the Director of Education and will work collaboratively with the Education Team throughout the year.

Duties & Responsibilities

Dragonfly Nature Preschool

• Using Dragonfly Nature Preschool curriculum, along with a play-based, nature-based approach, plan and teach 4k program. (Dragonfly Nature Preschool curriculum is flexible, and is aligned with Natural Start Guidelines and Wisconsin Model of Early Learning Standards. It is informed by emergent, play-based, nature-based approaches; the Lead Teacher will be able to develop the curriculum to reflect student interest and needs.
• Collaborate with an instructional aide.
• Collaborate with the Education Team to align all programming with best practices.
• Facilitate discovery in both indoor and outdoor classroom setting.
• Develop curriculum that integrates place-based nature education with WELS standards.
• Participate in special events.
• Other duties as needed.

Administration

• Oversee registration and attendance of Dragonfly Nature Preschool
• Ensure DCF Day Camp License requirements are fulfilled
• Communicate and collaborate with Gibraltar staff as requested
• Communicate efficiently and promptly with colleagues and parents
• Meet with staff on a regular basis to share program ideas, collaborate on programs and events, etc.
• Prepare program reports as needed
• Interact with visitors and volunteers as needed
• Help answer incoming phone calls.

OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED

Candidate Profile & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education
• Wisconsin (or state with which WI has reciprocity) Early Childhood license
• Experience in developing and delivering environmental education and/or camp programs.
• Energetic and enthusiastic personality to help motivate children, collaborate with co-workers and connect with families.
• Knowledge of local natural history preferred.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Withstand the physical demands of work which involves some lifting, carrying, bending and hiking across uneven terrain.
• Must pass a criminal background check.