Job Description

Outdoor Education Specialist

MISSION & CORE VALUES

City Garden Montessori School (CGMS) achieves our mission by combining the Montessori Theory of Development, rigorous state standards and an Anti-Bias, Antiracism (ABAR) framework in an intentionally diverse school setting. 

POSITION OVERVIEW

Reporting to the School Principal for the Elementary & Adolescent Education Center (EAEC), the Outdoor Education Specialist will be responsible for delivering environmental science and sustainability-focused outdoor education classes to all of City Garden’s students. This includes students in both the Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) and the EAEC, from preschool through eighth grade. They will build on a student-centered environment which fosters relationships and promotes continual growth for students and staff.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Planning, Preparation, & Instruction 

• Provides instruction in environmental science, gardening and sustainability-focused outdoor education classes to all of City Garden’s students, preschool through eighth grade
• Maintains an ongoing dialogue with lead teachers to coordinate curriculum integration and implementation of outdoor education studies
• Assists in creating a schedule and work-plan for garden use by classrooms 
• Plans, coordinates and leads the development of City Garden’s outdoor learning environment, which includes native plant areas, an orchard, outdoor classrooms, and gardens
• Provides oversight related to the use of the outdoor space, including the garden, native plant area and orchard 
• Coordinates and programs City Garden’s after school outdoor education activities following regular classes

Classroom Management/Environment 

• Works with students of various abilities, including those with learning differences as diagnosed 
• Creates and communicates learning plans for all levels
• Creates an environment in which the furnishings and materials are complete, safe and correspond to the needs of each student grade level
• Maintains a clear, orderly, and attractive environment, including the care and maintenance of teaching materials and equipment
• Maintains an environment that demonstrates rapport with and respect and kindness for all students as well as between students
• Models and teaches conflict resolution and problem-solving strategies in the classroom
• Is responsible for the safety of the children left in their charge

Communication 

• Supports and develops positive relationships within the school community, and protects the privacy and confidentiality of each student and family
• Responds to parent and guardian concerns in a timely manner
• Completes required report cards/progress reports in accordance with school policy

Professional Responsibility 

City Garden believes all employees must take an active role in their development as professionals and in developing City Garden as an institution of learning. To that end, the Outdoor Education Specialist:

• Actively participates in a regular evaluation process, including classroom observations, feedback conferences, and an annual self-evaluation toward yearly goals that are established with the Principal
• Maintains their teaching skills and participates in professional development activities
• Participates in collegial activities designed to make the entire school a productive learning environment, for example, age level meetings, curriculum discussion groups, working committees, mentoring, etc. 
• Attends all other scheduled meetings and professional days as appropriate
• Obtains and maintains professional certifications as appropriate for the grade level and subject area

Related Duties 

• Completes and maintains all records, reports, evaluations, and inventories of student records and tests in a timely manner as may be required by the school.
• Responsible for reading and adhering to the guidelines and school policies as established in the employee handbook 
• Performs other related tasks as assigned by the Principal and other central office administrators as designated

QUALIFICATIONS & CHARACTERISTICS

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, ideally Outdoor Education 
• Elementary Certification with Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)
• 3+ years related classroom experience in a lead role or SME, preferably in a public or urban setting, and preferably in Outdoor Education

• A love of teaching!

• Demonstrated success working with a diverse student population
• Be deeply committed to whole-child education, having proven success and outcomes in meeting children’s needs holistically while inspiring respect for and responsibility toward planet earth and the environment 
• An understanding of Montessori philosophy, especially the importance of the natural world in its curriculum
• A grounding in anti-bias education and antiracist values and principles, and an investment in being part of a school that is reimagining education through these lenses 

• Be an integral participant of a high-energy and enthusiastic team of professionals, dedicated to meeting the academic, social and emotional needs of students

• An eagerness to engage deeply with students, teachers, staff and families as partners
• Excel in their communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills 

• Show initiative, be reliable, self-motivated, and self-directed

• Humility, vulnerability, and willingness to speak and hear candid feedback

ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS

While based in an indoor school environment, the majority of work is performed outdoors in varying weather conditions. 

The environmental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job and are not meant to be all-inclusive.

• Exposure to a variety of childhood and adult diseases and illnesses
• Occasional exposure to a variety of weather conditions
• Exposure to heated/air conditioned and ventilated facilities
• Exposure to a building in which a variety of chemical substances are used for cleaning, instruction, and/or operation of equipment
• Function in a workplace that is usually moderately quiet but that can be noisy at times

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties and responsibilities of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear, stand, move and walk at a brisk pace, sit, and use hands and arms to handle, feel and reach. The employee is often required to stoop or kneel and lift and move up to 50 pounds.

Regular attendance on the job is expected and necessary. Additionally, the employee must implement all CGMS Board of Director policies. The employee must be physically and mentally able to react and intervene quickly during crisis situations, such as but not limited to the following circumstances: emergency drills and events, student elopement, physical altercations involving students, student restraint.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job and are not meant to be all-inclusive. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job.

Unless reasonable accommodations can be made, while performing this job the staff member shall:

• Use strength to lift items needed to perform the functions of the job.
• Sit, stand, stoop, twist and walk for required periods of time.
• Speak and hear.

City Garden Montessori School is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any applicant or employee because of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or military or veteran status in accordance with federal law. In addition, City Garden Montessori School complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every jurisdiction in which it maintains facilities. City Garden Montessori School also provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable laws.

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