Benefits:
Paid time off
Competitive salary
Employee discounts
About Our Microschool
Our forest-based microschool is a small, learner-centered K–1 program rooted in outdoor education, play-based learning, and developmental appropriateness. We believe children learn best through meaningful experiences, curiosity, and strong relationships—with each other, with educators, and with the natural world. Our program prioritizes joy, wonder, emotional growth, and foundational academic skills in a supportive, nature-rich environment.
Position Overview
The Lead Teacher designs and facilitates a developmentally appropriate, forest-based learning experience for a mixed-age group of kindergarten and first-grade students. This role is responsible for ensuring that children are supported in meeting the Maine State Learning and Development Milestones and that learning is documented to parents and through individual student portfolios for state development credit.
Key Responsibilities
Curriculum & Instruction
Design and implement an emergent, play-based, and inquiry-driven curriculum aligned with K–1 developmental and academic goals
Integrate literacy, numeracy, science, and social-emotional learning into outdoor, hands-on experiences
Use observation and documentation to assess student growth and guide instruction
Differentiate learning experiences to meet the needs of individual students
Assessment, Documentation & Portfolios
Maintain individual student portfolios, particularly for children ages 6 and older
Document learning using work samples, photographs, narrative observations, and milestone alignment
Prepare and manage documentation required for Maine state development credit
Communicate assessment progress and portfolio outcomes with families
Outdoor & Forest School Leadership
Lead daily learning experiences primarily outdoors in varied weather conditions
Establish and maintain safety protocols, routines, and risk-aware practices
Foster respect for nature, stewardship, and ecological awareness
Model curiosity, resilience, and problem-solving in outdoor settings
Classroom & Community Culture
Build strong, trusting relationships with students and families
Create a warm, inclusive, and emotionally safe learning environment
Support social development, conflict resolution, and self-regulation skills
Communicate regularly with families through conferences, documentation, and updates
Program Collaboration & Operations
Collaborate with assistants, co-teachers, or program directors as needed
Participate in planning meetings, professional development, and program events
Support daily logistics such as attendance, supplies, and transitions
Maintain required documentation and licensing or program standards (if applicable)
Qualifications
Required
3+ years of experience teaching or working with early elementary-aged children (K–1)
Strong understanding of child development and play-based learning
Demonstrated ability to align instruction with state learning standards or milestones
Comfort working outdoors year-round in a forest or natural setting
Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
Ability to lead a small group with confidence, warmth, and flexibility
Preferred
Valid Maine Teacher’s License (preferred but not required)
Bachelor’s degree in Education, Early Childhood Education, Environmental Education, or related field
Experience with forest school, outdoor education, Reggio-inspired, Montessori, or progressive education models
First Aid/CPR certification (or willingness to obtain)
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is joyful, adaptable, and deeply committed to honoring childhood. They value curiosity over compliance, understand that learning is not confined to four walls, and see nature as a co-teacher. They are confident translating rich, outdoor learning experiences into meaningful documentation aligned with Maine expectations and thrive in small, relationship-driven learning environments. They are comfortable with muddy boots, big questions, and the unpredictability of working with young children outdoors.
To apply please submit:
Resume
Brief cover letter describing your K–1 teaching experience and approach to outdoor or experiential learning
[Optional] Sample lesson plan, documentation, or portfolio artifact