Lead Forest School Teacher (Outdoor Education)
At Nature Scouts Collective, we believe children learn best through curiosity, exploration, and meaningful experiences in nature. Since 2019, we've been providing outdoor, child-led learning experiences for children ages 2–11 throughout North County San Diego. Our program blends Forest School, Reggio Emilia, and place-based education to inspire confidence, resilience, environmental stewardship, and a lifelong love of learning.
We are seeking an experienced, passionate, and collaborative Lead Forest School Teacher to join our teaching team for the 2026–2027 school year.
Position Details
School Year Commitment
- September 2026–May 2027, with opportunities to teach summer camps.
Schedule
- Part-time
- 2 teaching days per week (Monday & Friday)
- Typical work hours: 9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., including setup, instruction, cleanup, planning, team collaboration, and parent communication.
- Program hours: 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
- Occasional staff meetings, professional development, and community events
Location
- Outdoor classes held at local parks throughout North County San Diego. Teachers should enjoy hiking, sitting on the ground, exploring trails, and working in varying weather conditions while creating meaningful learning experiences for children.
Compensation
- $200 per teaching day
- Additional paid opportunities for staff meetings, curriculum development, professional development, community events, and other approved work outside of regular teaching days are compensated at $35/hour.
Position Summary
As a Lead Teacher, you will create a safe, joyful, and engaging outdoor learning environment where children develop confidence, curiosity, and a meaningful connection with nature. You will lead a consistent group of students, mentor a co-teacher, build positive relationships with families, and facilitate hands-on, inquiry-based learning experiences.
Nature Scouts provides a curriculum framework, including monthly themes, learning objectives, and educational goals. Each August, our Lead Teachers collaborate to develop engaging lessons, invitations, and nature-based learning experiences for the school year. Throughout the year, Lead Teachers are encouraged to thoughtfully adapt activities based on children's interests, seasonal changes, teachable moments, and the unique opportunities each outdoor environment provides while remaining aligned with our educational philosophy.
Responsibilities
- Lead a class of children in a safe, nurturing, and engaging outdoor learning environment.
- Plan and implement weekly nature-based lessons and invitations inspired by children's interests, seasonal changes, and Nature Scouts' curriculum.
- Integrate literacy, math, science, art, mindfulness, and environmental stewardship into hands-on outdoor experiences.
- Guide children through child-led exploration while extending learning through thoughtful questions and observations.
- Foster children's social-emotional development through positive guidance, conflict resolution, mindfulness, and relationship-based teaching.
- Mentor and collaborate with co-teachers and assistant teachers to create a cohesive learning environment.
- Observe and document children's growth through anecdotal notes, photographs, and nature journals.
- Communicate professionally with families regarding children's development and classroom experiences.
- Maintain a safe outdoor environment while supporting appropriate risk-taking and exploration.
- Assist with program setup, cleanup, and organization of materials.
- Participate in curriculum planning meetings and ongoing professional development.
Qualifications
- Minimum two years of experience teaching young children.
- Experience planning and implementing engaging curriculum.
- Strong classroom leadership and organization skills.
- Passion for outdoor education and child-led learning.
- Experience with Forest School, Reggio Emilia, Montessori, Waldorf, outdoor education, or experiential learning is highly desirable.
- Strong understanding of child development and positive behavior guidance.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
- CPR and First Aid Certification (or willingness to obtain).
- Ability to comfortably work outdoors in varying weather conditions and navigate uneven terrain while carrying program materials.
Why Join Nature Scouts Collective?
- Spend your days outdoors instead of inside four walls.
- Small teacher-to-child ratios that foster meaningful relationships.
- Collaborative, supportive teaching team.
- Opportunities to help shape curriculum and program development.
- Professional growth in nature-based education.
- Make a lasting impact by helping children develop confidence, resilience, curiosity, and a lifelong connection with the natural world.
If you believe childhood should be filled with wonder, adventure, and meaningful experiences in nature, we'd love to hear from you!
Pay: $200.00 per day
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
Application Question(s):
- Are you available to work outdoors for the duration of each class in varying weather conditions?
- Are you able to pass a background check and obtain CPR/First Aid certification?
- What excites you most about teaching children outdoors?
- Describe a time you helped a child learn through curiosity, play, or exploration.
- Describe your experience planning curriculum and leading a classroom independently.
- Please describe the age groups you've worked with and your experience with each.
- Nature Scouts values child-led, inquiry-based learning. What does that approach mean to you?
Experience:
- Teaching: 2 years (Required)
Work Location: In person
