Nature Kindergarten Assistant Teacher
EDS Murray Nature School, Augusta, GA   www.edsnatureschool.com

Description of Role
The Full-time Nature Kindergarten Assistant Teacher, under the leadership of the Director of the Nature School and the lead teacher, will be responsible for implementing the school’s existing Core Learning Goals for Kindergarten using the natural world in a mostly outdoor setting. Our unique outdoor campus with classroom yurts becomes the primary context that informs course curriculum and content. In this 3rd year of the Nature Kindergarten class, the NK assistant teachers will aid the lead teacher in the schedule and curriculum design and implementation for a growing class, while ensuring reasonable consistency with the existing EDS expectations and Nature School culture. The Nature Kindergarten Assistant reports to the Director of the Murray Nature School.

About Episcopal Day School & the Murray Nature School
EDS, a 77-year-old PreK-8, launched its inaugural Murray Nature Preschool (NPS) in 2019 and Nature Kindergarten (NK) in 2020, based at the 38-acre multi-purpose experiential ed campus located 7 miles from main campus. EDS began the 2021-2022 school year with 315 students on the Walton Way Campus (including 2 sections of preschool) and an additional 24 students on the Nature School Campus.  The program’s first few years have been extremely successful and well-received, hence the continued growth in class size, to a potential of 18 students (maintaining a 6-1 student/teacher ratio).

Primary Job Responsibilities

• Under the direction of the Lead Teacher, assist in facilitating immersive outdoor Kindergarten classes. This includes maintaining a safe, loving environment with safety routines that protect yet empower children.  

• Nurture individual needs of children while managing whole group experiences and unstructured play and exploration.

• Collaborate with other teachers, volunteers, and /or parents.

• Document the nature school experience through photos on Seesaw that are forward facing for the families of the students.

• Other duties that support families, children, staff, and/or residents in the program may be also assigned.

Preferred Education & Experience

• Minimum of a B.A. or B.S. in a related field.

• Experience in early childhood education and/or outdoor/nature education programs preferred

Required Qualifications & Qualities

• Current First Aid, AED, and Child CPR (recertification possible through EDS)

• Love of children, love of learning, love of nature

• Patient, compassionate disposition

• Adaptable to working in all weather conditions (cold, wet, hot, humid)

• Comfortable moving around in rough terrain, including creek exploration, tree climbing etc…

• Ability to pick up 50lb students in emergency situations.

• Ability to collaborate with the Nature School team and other faculty

Pay & Benefits
This is a full-time, ten-month, salaried position. Compensation and benefits are competitive and commensurate with experience. 

For More Information
Visit the school’s website (www.edsaugusta.com) or the Nature School’s site (www.edsnatureschool.com), email or call the Director of the Nature School, David Gardner at [email protected], 843-737-2729. 

How To Apply
Please email a cover letter and resume to [email protected].