A Thousand Mornings Forest School is hiring for a part-time preschool teacher position, 4-5 mornings per week beginning summer or fall of 2024. We are a welcoming, play-based, experiential program with a strong focus on social and emotional skills, building community, and connection with the natural world.

Description of Position: 

The teachers are responsible for facilitating the application of an age-appropriate, nature-based, emergent curriculum for 2.5- 5.5 year-olds enrolled in a 100% outdoor forest school. Teachers must model a healthy relationship with and curiosity for the natural world. Teacher hours are 8:10-12:55 for a total of 4.75 hours per scheduled day with occasional additional hours for staff meetings and teacher/director meetings. The position can begin during our summer program this year or in the fall when we begin in August and it runs through May of 2025. 

Responsibilities:

• Frequent communication with co-teachers and director including, but not limited to, daily check-ins, occasional meetings, and ability to respond to phone calls, emails and texts within the same day.
• Partner with co-teacher to create age-differentiated provocations and experiences that actively engage children’s social, cognitive, and emotional growth. Small group and large group times are both necessary. 
•  Follow A Thousand Mornings Forest School pedagogy, language, child conflict resolution methods, and educational methodology as provided in staff handbook. 
• Maintain appropriate hygiene and cleanliness standards, safety, and security of children. 
• Work with fellow teachers to maintain an emergent curriculum based on the curiosities of the students. 
• Facilitate daily activities such as arrival, welcome circle and songs, snacks, lunch, storytelling, and dismissal etc. 
• Maintain personal professional development plan to ensure continuous quality improvement. 
• Ability to transport daily materials in a personal vehicle, including first aid and a daily supply of both potable and play water. (Materials provided by school)
• Adhere to any and all current and future Covid-19 Safety Policies. 
• Maintain current Infant/Child CPR and First Aid, submit to a background check and provide a current negative TB test

 Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to provide their own prompt transportation to our sites which rotate throughout Santa Barbara and Goleta.
• Must be comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions. 
• Must be comfortable getting dirty, able to sit on the ground. 
• Must be comfortable with the occasional handling of bugs and other small living things. 
• Must be able to crouch, dance, dig, carry a backpack, climb, hike, and carry up to 40lbs.


We are looking for someone committed to growing in this type of position. Our ideal candidate must be extremely prompt, responsive, self-motivated, and communicative. We are a small, tight-knit community looking for a true partner in exploration and wonder to join us. An ideal candidate would be willing and able to work with us occasionally during the current school year to learn our program protocols, flow, and community members.

$21-$25/ hr DOE

Please submit a relevant resume and cover letter. Applications without both will not be considered.