Join Our Team as an Outdoor Classroom Assistant at The Grove Community School
Are you someone who genuinely loves being outdoors, enjoys active work, and thrives around children? The Grove Community School is seeking a caring, energetic, and dependable Outdoor Classroom Assistant to join our team.
This is a primarily outdoor position. The majority of the workday is spent outside, every day, throughout the school year and summer—including during hot and humid Texas weather. Please consider this carefully before applying. Candidates should be looking for an outdoor-focused job and be comfortable spending extended periods outside as an essential part of their regular workday.
In addition to supporting our Outdoor Classroom, this position provides Early Childhood nap coverage, assists with Early Childhood PE, and supports our after-school program through 4:30 PM. This is a year-round position that includes eight weeks of summer camp, much of which is also spent outdoors.
About Us
At The Grove Community School, we believe some of the most meaningful learning happens outdoors. As an AMS-verified Montessori school, we provide an authentic Montessori education that nurtures each child's independence, curiosity, and love of learning. Our beautiful campus offers wooded trails, gardens, open spaces, and natural play areas where children explore science, practical life, environmental stewardship, and social-emotional growth through daily outdoor experiences.
Our outdoor classroom is an extension of our Montessori environment, not simply recess. Children spend significant time outdoors engaged in purposeful work, exploration, gardening, nature study, practical life activities, and collaborative projects that foster confidence, resilience, and a deep connection with the natural world.
Position Overview
As an Outdoor Classroom Assistant, you will work alongside our lead Outdoor Classroom Teacher to create a safe, engaging, and peaceful outdoor learning environment. You will assist with supervising children, preparing outdoor materials and learning spaces, maintaining the environment, and encouraging independence and respectful interactions.
While the Outdoor Classroom is the primary focus of this position, this is a school-wide support role with responsibilities throughout the day. You will also provide nap/rest-time coverage in Early Childhood, assist with Early Childhood PE, and help supervise our after-school program until 4:30 PM.
This position is ideal for someone who wants to spend their workday outside, enjoys being active and on their feet, and is comfortable moving between responsibilities and age groups as needed.
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
Schedule: 227 workdays per year
Summer: Includes 8 weeks of summer camp
Start Date: Immediately
Key Responsibilities
Outdoor Classroom Support: Spend the majority of the school day outdoors assisting the lead teacher in maintaining a calm, organized, and engaging outdoor Montessori environment.
Prepared Environment: Help set up, organize, clean, and care for outdoor learning materials, gardens, tools, and natural spaces to ensure they are safe, inviting, and purposeful.
Student Guidance: Support children as they develop independence, confidence, problem-solving skills, and respect for others and the environment.
Nature-Based Learning: Assist with gardening, nature studies, practical life activities, outdoor projects, and seasonal learning experiences.
Early Childhood Nap Coverage: Provide supervision and classroom support during the Early Childhood nap/rest period.
Early Childhood PE: Assist with PE activities for our Early Childhood students, including active participation and student supervision.
After-School Care: Help supervise and engage students in our after-school program through 4:30 PM each school day.
Summer Camp: Work during our eight-week summer camp program, supporting children in an active program that includes substantial outdoor time.
Safety: Help ensure children's safety while encouraging appropriate risk-taking, exploration, and stewardship of the environment.
Collaboration: Work closely with the Outdoor Classroom Teacher and other members of the school team and be willing to assist where needed throughout the day.
Professional Growth: Participate in Montessori and outdoor education training opportunities and continue developing professionally.
Qualifications
Experience: Experience working with children is required. Experience in a Montessori school, outdoor education, nature-based programs, summer camps, or environmental education is strongly preferred.
The successful candidate must:
- Be comfortable spending the majority of each workday outdoors
- Be willing and able to work outside daily in Texas heat and humidity as well as cooler or wet weather
- Genuinely enjoy outdoor, active work rather than simply tolerate it
- Be comfortable being active and on their feet for much of the day
- Be comfortable supervising active children outdoors
- Be willing to assist with nap coverage, Early Childhood PE, and after-school care
- Be available for the full 227-day schedule, including eight weeks of summer camp
- Be kind, patient, dependable, flexible, and energetic
- Be organized and able to take initiative
- Have strong communication and teamwork skills
- Have a genuine interest in nature, hands-on learning, and child development
Please Consider Before Applying
This is not primarily an indoor classroom position. Outdoor work is an essential function of this job and makes up the majority of the workday. Our students go outside daily, and this position requires an adult who is comfortable doing the same.
Texas summers and portions of the school year are hot and humid. While we follow appropriate safety practices and adjust activities when weather conditions require it, regular heat and humidity are part of this position.
Please apply only if you are comfortable with the outdoor requirements, the 8:30 AM–4:30 PM schedule, Early Childhood nap and PE responsibilities, after-school care, and the eight-week summer camp commitment.
Why Join The Grove?
At The Grove, you'll become part of a close-knit community that believes children learn best through meaningful experiences, strong relationships, and daily connection with the natural world. We value collaboration, professional growth, and creating joyful learning environments where both children and educators thrive.
If you genuinely enjoy being outdoors, love working with children, and are excited about combining Montessori education with hands-on outdoor learning, we'd love to meet you.
Pay: $14.00 - $17.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
