Spencer Creek Farm School is hiring for a dedicated part-time Preschool Teacher for Summer Session and the 2024/25 school year. Our school is located on a mini farm close to the Spencer Creek Grange in Eugene, Oregon. Our classroom is constructed in a 24’ yurt, surrounded by beautiful landscapes, gardens, and the year-round Spencer Creek. Please review the job description in its entirety and read through our website before submitting your letter of intent and resume.
Our Mission:
Here at Spencer Creek Farm School, we provide responsive and engaged care for children aged 36 months to 6 years old. We offer natural, open-ended materials for children to engage with, shining a focus on outdoor education, gardening, care of farm animals, sustainability, and building community. By providing an environment that encourages collaboration, natural growth, and love, we strive to enrich children's lives in such a way that they are inspired to become life-long learners. We take pieces of pedagogy from the principles of Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, and Montessori philosophies, as well as the teachings of Magda Gerber, with our biggest focus on respecting and supporting children where they are developmentally.
We are deeply committed to providing every employee, student, and student’s families with equal opportunities regardless of age, race, color, sex, gender identity, marital status, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or disability in any educational programs, activities or employment. Our school is a safe and welcome space for the LGBTQIA2+ community, and we believe that Black Lives Matter. We strive to provide an equitable space for all children and their families.
Required Qualifications:
AA degree or higher- preferably in the field of Human Development and/or Early Childhood Education
Experience working with preschool aged children
Must register in the Central Background Registry
Have or be able to obtain infant/toddler/adult First Aid and CPR Certificates
Ability to work on your feet for up to four hours a day. Must be able to change positions frequently from sitting on the floor to a standing position throughout the day, as well as lifting children for diaper changing.
Willingness to work outdoors in all of the seasons and in all of the weather (we get messy outside!)
Commitment to creating an inclusive and safe learning environment for all children
Commitment to treating children as whole human beings and with the same respect as people of all ages
Understanding of trauma-informed teaching practices
Enthusiasm, sense of humor, flexibility, excellent communication skills
Willingness to examine and reflect on your own classroom values/teaching practices with the intent of further learning how we can wholly accept and support children with all backgrounds, abilities, and personalities
Ability to practice positive communication and collaboration with families, children, and co-teachers
Plan and carry out developmentally appropriate group activities
Manage a classroom of up to 10 children (with second teacher) ages 3-6 years old
Comfortable with messy play and ability to help ensure the children’s safety while providing freedom to explore
Willingness to participate in gardening projects and care of the resident farm animals with the children (chickens, ducks, sheep)
Responsibilities:
Collaborate with the other teachers to create and maintain a warm, inviting environment for the children
Create and facilitate at least one open-ended art/science activity per week
Plan and implement at least one community gathering (circle time) per week that can include song, movement, storytelling, group game, etc.
Step away from pre-planned curriculum- we follow an emergent curriculum model with the flexibility to engage with children’s interests in the moment
Prepare group snack and join children during meals
Collaborate with other teachers to maintain peace and tidiness both in the classroom and outdoors
Help prepare the classroom and outdoor spaces for the next day including organization, wiping surfaces, toilet maintenance, trash removal, sweeping, etc.
Be present with the children, while stepping back to allow autonomy in their own learning and problem-solving abilities
Assist children in their toileting process as needed (we welcome children in diapers)
Communicate with other teachers and families practicing active listening and collaboration
Maintain CPR and First Aid certification
Hours and Compensation:
This position is for a 2 to 4 day schedule from 8:45am-1:15pm for the duration of this school year. There will be opportunities to fill in for and/or switch days with other teachers.
The official start of the position will begin around mid-May and will continue through the Summer Session (begins June 30th) and through the 2025/26 School Year.
Staff are paid for their normal scheduled workdays that fall on the preplanned closure dates as specified on the school calendar (not including closure dates that occur during Summer Sessions).
Staff receive 30 minutes of paid prep time per week, as well as reimbursement payments for approved materials purchased/acquired for their activity plans.
The starting wage for this position is $18 per hour.
To Apply:
After thoroughly reviewing the school website, please submit a letter of intent and a resume (both in PDF form) to Emily Just, director and lead teacher, via email at emily@spencercreekfarmschool.com. No phone calls please.
https://spencercreekfarmschool.com/
