Job Purpose: Thorne Nature Preschool Educators support the holistic development of young children and their relationship to the natural world through a year-round program that provides joyful, handson, place-based, developmentally appropriate experiences that nurture the whole child and foster an emotional connection to nature. Learn more at: www.thornenaturepreschool.org 

Overview of Thorne: Thorne Nature Experience is a non-profit organization committed to building Earth stewardship by providing youth with joyful, hands-on, place-based environmental education experiences that foster an emotional connection to nature.  Founded in 1954, Thorne has a rich history and has reached more than 400,000 children and adults through its core programs that include Summer Camp, Nature Kids/Jóvenes de la Naturaleza, School Age Programs, Thorne Nature Preschool, and NATURE FOR ALL.

Culture Statement: At Thorne, we are passionate about connecting youth to nature and building the next generation of Earth stewards. Our commitment to being leaders in our field, working collaboratively, cultivating joy, and ensuring inclusivity and justice enable Thorne Nature Experience and our staff, our community, and our planet to thrive together. 

Principal Responsibilities: 

• Co-teach preschool in a mostly outdoor setting following TNP’s daily routines and nature-based practices. 
• With the Preschool Team, develop and implement seasonal, place-based, emergent curriculum that promotes early childhood development and deep nature connection. 
• Help ensure the indoor and outdoor learning environments are in good condition to support safe, engaging, and positive child development.
• Collaborate with parents, children, and Thorne staff to foster a sense of community and belonging.
• Observe and document children’s progress in the areas of their social, emotional, physical, creative, and cognitive development.
• Communicate with parents about their child’s development and daily experiences through weekly posting of photos and comments and conducting parent-teacher conferences twice per school year.
• Participate in weekly Preschool and quarterly Thorne staff meetings, professional development trainings, and other teacher workdays.
• Participate in family events and parent education programs on occasional weekends or evenings.
• Support organizational wide initiatives and programs as needed to help support the mission and vision of the organization.
• Reinforce and contribute to Thorne culture through leading by example. 

Desired Skills and Abilities: Thorne recognizes that there are many paths to building professional skills and that not all applicants will have experience with every item listed. Passionate individuals who do not meet all these criteria are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Passion for outdoor experiences and connecting youth to nature.
• Desire to support excellent nature-based, child-centered, emergent curriculum
• Knowledge of and desire to learn more about nature and Colorado ecology
• Ability to adapt and be flexible with the changing needs of the program
• Excellent communication skills with parents, staff, and children
• Ability to respond calmly to risk management issues, emergencies, or difficult situations
• Previous preschool teaching experience in a lead teacher role
• Able to be a positive, supportive, caring adult role model for young children 
• Good organizational skills and ability to handle multiple tasks and roles patiently and professionally
• Proficient with MS Office suite (Word, Excel, and Outlook) 

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Early Childhood Teacher qualified or Early Childhood Professional Credential Level 2 or higher through Colorado Department of Early Childhood
• Current or willingness to obtain CPR, First Aid, Standard Precautions, and Medication Administration certification. (Thorne will pay for the time needed to complete and the cost of these certifications).
• Willingness to complete all trainings and submit all information and forms needed by Thorne to comply with Colorado Department of Human Services Child Care licensing requirements, including background check and fingerprinting.   

Special Requirements: 

• Comfortable working full days outdoors and able to take care of self in all weather conditions, including rain, wind, snow, cold temperatures and hot sunny days.
• Willing to drive students in a Thorne approved vehicle for occasional field trips (Thorne will train).
• Additional time may be required as necessary, including occasional weekend and evening work for family events. 

Working Conditions: This position requires the ability to perform tasks in an outdoor environment in all weather conditions including pulling a wagon, walking on trails and uneven terrain, sitting and/or kneeling on the ground, standing for extended periods of time, and occasionally climbing, balancing, stooping, crouching or crawling.  Work takes place in classroom and outdoor settings with frequent interruptions and background noises. The employee may occasionally need to lift and/or carry a preschool student or supplies weighing up to 50 pounds. 

Accommodations: Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable qualified individuals living with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.   

Expectation for All Employees: All employees are expected to support the Thorne mission and exhibit a commitment to working collaboratively, with integrity and respect for fellow employees, associates, and our communities while embracing personal responsibility and accountability for their jobs. 

Equitable Recruiting Policy Statement: Thorne has a stated goal to increase diversity amongst its staff. It is the policy at Thorne to attempt to reach diverse pools of applicants throughout the hiring process by following its Equitable Recruiting Procedure. Additionally, whenever possible Thorne strives to remove any barriers that could exist to being employed at Thorne, especially if those barriers are the result of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. 

Pay: $22.44/hour, Annual Equivalent of $46,675 if working 40 hours/week

Additional Compensation Opportunities: • Additional compensation of up to 10% of salary is provided for bicultural & bilingual employees who are culturally fluent in the needs and experiences of the Latino/a/x community and bilingual in Spanish and English • Seniority Pay • Performance Bonus

Benefits Package:  100% Employer Paid Health Insurance (w/ Plan Choice); HSA Contribution w/ Selection of Qualified High Deductible Health Plan; 100% Employer Paid Dental Insurance; 403B (3-6% employer match based on tenure); Short and Long-term Disability Insurance; Life and AD&D Insurance; Generous Paid Vacation (12-20 days based on tenure), Sick Leave (6 days) and Holidays (11 days) with option to take additional Unpaid Leave with advance notice (up to 20 days); Training and Development Budget; Dependent Care Assistance Plan; Generous Discounts and Credits on Thorne Programs for Dependents; and Outdoor Industry Pro Deals.