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Staff
Vibe:
Over the years, Nature’s Classroom staff members have had a wide variety of
previous experiences, but most of our staff come from a strong background in
outdoor recreation, education, or related fields. All Teachers are college
graduates, but we do provide one Intern Teacher position each semester for a
student who has not yet completed their degree. Most Intern Teachers are in
their final year or semester of college.
Nature’s Classroom serves schools from all over the
southeast, predominately working with grades 3-7. Therefore, teachers who love
teaching, enjoy children, and appreciate the natural environment are key to the
success of the program. Nature’s Classroom provides opportunities to grow as a
leader through facilitation of small and large group activities. Our staff lead
educational hikes, teach environmental ethics, and facilitate hands-on classes
in all academic areas. Activities focus on cooperation, communication, and
team-building using group initiatives and the low challenge course. Other
activities include: archery, canoeing, night hikes, climbing tower, and various
high challenge course elements. All staff members continually strive to better
the program and themselves through in-service training days, providing feedback
for each other, and sharing personal knowledge and experience.
The Nature’s Classroom staff is a close-knit group.
Staff members live, work, and play in close quarters; adaptation to communal
living is a must. More often than not, staff members spend much of their time
off together, pursuing the many outdoor passions they share.
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Qualifications:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Have a Bachelor's Degree in any subject
(Intern Teacher working towards a degree)
- Be willing to be certified in First Aid and CPR (provided,
if not currently certified)
- Be willing to undergo a criminal background check
- Have verbal and auditory ability to communicate
- Be fluent and literate in English
- Have an adequate level of physical fitness for hiking through
rough terrain and leading active classes, games, and other activities
- Have previous experience working with children
- Have a strong commitment to outdoor experiential education
- Be creative, flexible, fun, and have good communication skills
- Have a strong commitment to children and learning
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General
Responsibilities:
- Lead and instruct participants during: educational hikes, hands-on classes,
evening activities, large group activities, teambuilding, canoeing, archery,
climbing tower, as well as the low and high challenge courses
- Plan and facilitate activities in a manner that promotes safety and success for
all participants
- Observe student behavior, assess its appropriateness, enforce appropriate safety
regulations and emergency procedures, and apply appropriate behavior management
techniques
- Cooperate with all other staff and visiting adults to complete tasks and support
the goals of Nature’s Classroom
- Represent Nature’s Classroom to participants, guests, and the public with
kindness, integrity, and professionalism
- Assume responsibility for the safety of participants and staff and respond to
critical incidents and emergency situations in accordance with Nature’s
Classroom policies and procedures
- Act as a liaison between adult participants and other staff, including: other
teachers, administration, kitchen staff, maintenance staff, and housekeeping staff
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Time
Commitment:
While most of Nature’s Classroom staff return for multiple semesters (or multiple
years!), all contracts for Teachers and Interns are for one academic semester at
a time. The fall semester usually starts in late Aug or early Sept and ends in
early Dec. The spring semester typically starts in late February and ends in
late May. Staff generally works 4-5-day weeks, usually weekdays only, but the
occasional weekend group can result in a rare 6 or 7-day work week. The hours
worked each day also vary quite a bit with workdays ranging in length from 7-13
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Perks,
Benefits, and Wages:
Weekly salary for staff is calculated based on daily pay rate. Each staff member’s
starting daily pay rate is determined based on their education, certifications,
and experience. Most work weeks are 5-days (usually Mon-Fri), but there are a
few 4-day work weeks each semester, which result in a few 3-day weekends! There
is also occasionally a 6 or 7-day work week when we have a weekend program,
which is usually only once or twice a semester. The salary is adjusted up or
down accordingly on those weeks based on the daily rate and the number of days
worked. Teaching staff receive a $5 raise in their daily rate every semester
they return and a $200 bonus for signing on for the next semester prior to the
end of the semester. In addition to salary, staff receive room and board,
including: meals, private bedroom, paid training, and use of phone, internet,
and washer/dryer. Other benefits include a location within a short distance of
great caving, climbing, mountain biking, hiking, and whitewater paddling.
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What
is Close By:
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