Forest School Educator (Term)

Position Summary: FortWhyte Alive is looking to grow our Forest School team of dedicated outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy sharing their appreciation of nature with preschool children. FortWhyte Forest School is an outdoor, all-weather program for children (2-12 years old) that runs year round.

The Forest School Educator will provide supervision and guidance for children that supports the pedagogy of place, inquiry, and play-based learning through child inspired curriculum. This term position is providing maternity leave coverage.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plan activities that support curiosity, play and inquiry-based learning through an emergent curriculum inspired by children’s interests and daily and seasonal changes in our natural environment
• Review spaces for learning and make recommendations to Manager regarding their enhancement using the framework written by Deitze
• Complete site safety assessments and document accordingly
• Ensure the safety of all participants by being observant of environmental hazards, inappropriate or unsafe behavior, staying within the boundaries of play, and maintaining supervision of children at all times
• receive and integrate ideas from other members of the Forest School team by planning programs, researching, providing artifacts, and literature to create immersive experiences for the participants
• Incorporate Indigenous teachings, principles, and resources as a part of FortWhyte Alive’s reconciliation plan
• Lead Volunteer training and provide guidance and ongoing training for the volunteers that support Forest School
• Create safe spaces for participants to express their emotions and provide guidance and strategies that promote positive child development
• Participate in post-program debriefing sessions with other facilitators and volunteers
• Performing pedagogical documentation through Storypark on a weekly basis
• Provide families with appropriate feedback on their child’s development, behaviour and wellbeing.
• Ensuring the participants are well-dressed for the weather and they are safe from potential environmental hazards in all seasons (ex. frostbite, sunburn, heat stroke)
• Take training needed to provide workshop professional development for other child care centers, schools, and educators
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Early Childhood Education Diploma, or equivalent experience, required
• Forest School Practitioner Certificate or equivalent experience, required
• Must be familiar with and abide by Forest School Canada’s principles and guidelines for Forest and Nature Schools
• Minimum 1 year experience working outdoors with children (2-10 years old)
• Successful Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Check & Child Abuse Registry Check
• Physically able to work in all weather conditions (rain, heat, cold) and able to walk long distances over uneven terrain, carry a backpack, and perform light lifting duties
• Able to carry out education duties with enthusiasm regardless of weather conditions
• Understand the value of risky play, emergent learning philosophies and child-led play/place-based learning
• Standard, Remote or Wilderness First Aid considered an asset (training will be provided upon hire)
• Experience in outdoor education, biology, natural resources considered an asset