Lark Skola is looking for an Outdoor Educator to join our community of dedicated and passionate educators.  We are a not-for-profit independent elementary school with a downtown Whitefish campus and a forest campus in Haskill Basin. The position is full time and pay is competitive.  

The outdoor educator works closely with the lead teacher and curriculum director to develop and implement a cohesive curriculum that translates seamlessly from the indoor to the outdoor classroom. They must be able to safely lead a group of 12-15 children ages (6 - 10) in activities, lessons, nature based craft projects, and immersive outdoor experiences.  The outdoor educator must be committed to bringing Lark Skola’s core educational tenants into the outdoors in a way that inspires curiosity and excitement in the students. 

Primary Duties : 

• Bring a passion for educating and mentoring youth in a natural learning environment with a flexible structure.  It is not enough to have formal training or experience in education: the teacher must be a naturalist with an infectious passion for the natural world, ability to engage in and expand children's play, to be spontaneous, and willing to get dirty. Foremost, a forest school teacher should have a sense of awe and wonder about the natural world and be able to convey this to their students. 

• Knowledge of local plants, animals and natural hazards; A forest school teacher needs to be well versed in a basic working knowledge of forest ecology and natural science principles and have a willingness to learn more about plants and animals in their native ecosystem. 

• Create a warm and nurturing environment 

• Strong ability to work as a contributing member of an educational team 

• Willingness to learn and draw from several different educational modalities

• Ability to translate classroom lessons into outdoor learning program 

• Willingness to participate in healthy, open and professional dialogue with education team

• Must demonstrate good judgment and risk assessment skills 

• Able to teach outdoors, in a forest environment, rain/snow or shine

• Upkeep of yurt and outdoor education space (shoveling, chopping wood, clearing         paths, etc). Responsible for communicating any maintenance needs of space to ED.

• Reports to the ED through weekly, collaborative staff meetings 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Natural Sciences, Ecology, Environmental Studies/Education or related field preferred 

• Prior outdoor education experience with early elementary students

• Knowledge of local flora and fauna, and basic ecology and natural science concepts

• Willingness to engage in continuing education

• Ability to lift 40 pounds

• Current First Aid and CPR certification 

• Wilderness First Aid or Safety certification preferred