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Summer Camp Teacher at Mother Earth School

Mother Earth School is an all-outdoor school serving ages 3-12 at two forested urban farms in Portland, OR. We are a very unique program modeled in part after the forest kindergartens in Europe. The person hired to this position will assist with a week of summer camp (ages 7-9) at Jean’s Farm in SE Portland during the week of June 25-29. This person will then be the lead teacher for ages 4-6 the weeks of July 9-13 and July 16-20.

Position description:

When assisting during the week of June 25-29, your role will be to learn about the role of lead teaching by supporting the lead teacher that you are working with. In general, the assistant helps prepare snack and the activities for the day. The assistant also helps to guide the children through the activities of the day under the direction of the lead teacher. The assistant helps to clean up at the end of the day.

When stepping into the role of lead teacher, you are then responsible for all communication with parents, preparing the lessons, snacks and activities, purchasing the needed supplies, organizing the day, creating the guidelines for the children and offering them a magical, creative and fulfilling experience.

Responsibilities:

-Snack preparation (potentially cooking over fire using a rocket stove and cob oven)

-Kitchen clean-up

-Assist children with the life and artistic activities (examples of life activities: bread making, gardening, vegetable chopping, animal care; artistic activities: painting, wood working, wool arts, wildcrafting, etc…)

-Sing songs and lead games with the children

-Create stories and pictures that are helpful to the young child’s understanding

-Make contact with the parents 2 weeks before camp begins with details and directions

-Keep track of all registration paperwork

-As lead teacher, address all parental concerns

Hours and pay rate:

Hours: Monday –Friday 8:30am-2:30pm

Salary: $300 /week to assist, $500/week to lead (totaling $1300 for all 3 weeks)

*Attending one afternoon of summer camp training is also required

Skills and Experience:

-Experience working with the early childhood age group is required

-Have knowledge or background in one or more of the following areas: Waldorf education, garden-based education, permaculture design, traditional/primitive skills and diversity awareness

-Excellent communication skills with both adults and children

-First Aid/CPR certified (may be completed after hire but before camp begins)

-Can demonstrate experience and/or comfort with being outdoors all day in a media-free environment

Please submit resume & cover letter to info@motherearthschool.com before 5pm on May 9, 2012. Applicants will be notified within one week about their status and interviews will be scheduled immediately following this decision. School info can be found at www.motherearthschool.org.