Chippewa Nature Center Hiring for Nature Preschool Teacher Special Education at Midland, Michigan Full Time

Nature Preschool Teacher – Special Education
Status: Full time permanent 43-week/year position with year-round benefits

Come awaken your natural sense of wonder at Nature Preschool! Join us as we jump in puddles, make
mud pies, and study every part of a frog’s life cycle through real-life hands-on experiences.

Chippewa Nature Center is in search of teachers with a passion for nurturing learning and
investigation in 3- and 4-year old children. Nature Preschool is a play-based program which uses
research-based curriculum practices to implement developmentally appropriate early childhood
education with nature at its core. Nature Preschoolers and staff experience the ecosystems at
Chippewa Nature Center through engaging lessons and enriching exploration. Our teaching teams are
highly trained and well supported with three full-time teachers in each classroom.

Objective: To work within a teaching team to provide a premier early childhood environment which
meets the developmental needs of the whole child, while initiating them into a lifelong, meaningful
relationship with the natural world.

Duties & Responsibilities:
1. Responsible for the health, safety and welfare of all children in the group.
2. Teach and develop curriculum of Nature Preschool in conjunction with other members of the
teaching team.
3. Communicate with parents both formally and informally, individually and in groups.
4. Provide guidance for both teachers and parents on Special Education topics and services
including screening, evaluation, and adaptations.
5. Assure that the classroom operates within the guidelines and standards of the Michigan
Department of Human Services, Office of Children and Adult Licensing and the Michigan Department of
Education’s Great Start Readiness Program.
6. Overall planning for equipment and supply needs in conjunction with teaching team and other
program staff.
7. Conduct regular assessment of children.
8. Conduct home visits and parent teacher conferences.
9. Contribute to the development, implementation and review of Nature Preschool policies,
procedures and activities in conjunction with the Nature Preschool Director, as appropriate.
10. Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:
Required:
1. Bachelor degree or higher
2. Valid Teaching Certificate with ZS or both an Early Childhood endorsement and Special Education
endorsement.
3. Teaching experience. 4. Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practice and the ability to implement that knowledge.
5. Must have the creativity, flexibility and understanding necessary for working with children,
parents and co-workers.
6. Effective verbal and written communication skills.
7. Computer literacy including working knowledge of Windows platform and Microsoft Office software
package.
8. Ability to meet the physical demands of the position (i.e., daily outdoor hiking, lift 50
pounds).
9. Currently hold certification in child and adult CPR and basic first aid or willingness to become
certified.
Preferred:
1. One to five years teaching experience.
2. Experience in nature-based and/or play-based early childhood education.

Status: Full time permanent 43-week/year position with year-round benefits

Reports to: Madison Powell, Nature Preschool Director Schedule: Mid-August to mid-June, 8 am-5 pm
Monday-Friday Start Date: August 21, 2023

Compensation & Benefits: $29,000-34,000 Full time (43 weeks), paid vacation, holidays, and sick
time, health insurance, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, 403(b) annuity plan with
voluntary additional contribution, voluntary participation in flexible spending and dependent care
accounts, staff uniform, CNC membership, 20% discount in