District Montessori seeks a passionate, knowledgeable educator with a green thumb to assist in our gardening program and outdoor classroom. In this role, you will inspire young children in the art and science of gardening and create meaningful opportunities for them to explore and connect with the natural world and care for living things.
Our Montessori school serves children between the ages of 16 months and 6 years old; our gardening team creates and provides lessons and hands-on outdoor experiences for these young learners.
Responsibilities include:
- Developing and delivering engaging lessons on gardening and plant care; different types of plants, flowers, fruits, vegetables, and herbs; planting, composting, and irrigation; use of gardening tools and equipment; insects and other pollinators; and farm to table sequence
- Maintaining a healthy, thriving, appealing, welcoming garden space and outdoor classroom for all children to explore and learn
- Encouraging creativity and a love for nature through interactive activities and gardening projects
- Building strong, caring relationships with all children, and ensuring each child's safety
- Collaborating with teachers and staff to integrate gardening into each classroom's curriculum
- Planning and leading two major gardening-related events for our school community each year (a fall festival and a spring celebration)
- Organizing and coordinating volunteer efforts for school garden projects
- Working outdoors in various weather conditions
- Assisting with cleaning and organizing in common spaces, and other tasks as needed
- Planning and implementing enrichment activities such as gardening, arts and crafts activities, games, outdoor activities, and cooking projects during our extended day (3:30pm-6pm)
- Supporting classrooms during outdoor time, lunchtime, naptime, and substituting in classrooms when necessary
This is a full-time position, with hours from approximately 9am to 6pm, Monday through Friday, during our school year. We invite patient, dynamic, enthusiastic individuals who enjoy working with young children and who have a passion for the natural world to join our school community.
At a minimum, applicants should have a CDA or be working towards one, and have at least one year of supervised occupational experience working with young children in an environment such as a camp, a preschool, or an extended day program. Ideal candidates will have a current CDA, a bachelor's or associate degree with a major in education, child development, or science, or have accumulated credit hours working toward such a degree. Candidates should be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 (or provide an approved exemption letter). Preference will be given to candidates with a suitability letter from OSSE and a current First-Aid & CPR certification.
Ideal candidates will be positive and energetic, possess respect for all children, demonstrate creativity in creating an enriching outdoor learning experience, have a proven dedication to early childhood education, and be adept at communicating with other staff members, parents, and caregivers. Knowledge of or experience with the Montessori method is a plus, but it is not required. We encourage current college students working towards a degree to apply.
Pay will be based on education and experience. We value continued professional growth and will offer professional development opportunities.
District Montessori is an educational nonprofit and a registered 501(c)(3) organization committed to enriching the lives of children and to supporting and empowering parents using the Montessori method of instruction. Located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington DC, our school closely follows the DCPS school schedule, with our classrooms in session from early September through mid-June (and a summer camp running during June and July).
District Montessori is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate in the terms, conditions, or privileges of employment on account of race, age, color, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, or religion.
Pay: $21.00 - $26.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
Work Location: In person
