SEEDLING CLASS TEACHER

Common Ground is seeking an early childhood educator to lead farm and forest based classes for young children and their caregivers!

 About us:

Common Ground is a center for learning and leadership, inviting people across ages and identities to connect to their urban environment, build community, grow into their full potential, and contribute to a just and sustainable world. We work toward this mission through active, authentic learning rooted in justice and our environment: a farm, in a forest, in a city. Three connected efforts are at the core of Common Ground’s work: 

• An environmental education center, offering programs that connect people of all ages with the natural world while helping them develop habits of sustainable living. Connecticut’s only charter high school focused on the environment, preparing students for success in college and in environmental leadership.
• An urban farm that practices sustainable agriculture while contributing to a healthy food system for New Haven area residents.
• Common Ground operates from a 20-acre site at the base of West Rock Ridge where farm, forest, and city intersect to provide a unique, real world learning laboratory.

Common Ground follows organic growing practices, avoiding the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers on site. For more information on Common Ground, see www.commongroundct.org.

About the position:

Our SEEDLINGS CLASS is for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with a parent or other caregiver. Seedlings Teachers offer themed classes focused on nature exploration, including hands-on activities, music, movement, and stories. Classes meet outside in most weather conditions.

SCHEDULE: Seedlings Teachers set their availability and may be scheduled within their availability. Class is 9 - 10:30 AM and teachers typically work 8:30 - 11, with additional paid planning time. Seedlings Class is usually offered for 8 - 10 weeks in fall and spring.

Currently seeking a teacher who can work at least 2 out of 3 mornings, Tues, Weds, and/or Thurs. Classes start the week of September 8.

 Position requirements and responsibilities:

• Experience with very young children (infant through preschool), including planning accessible and developmentally appropriate activities, stories, music, and exploration in a nature-based setting.
• Experience with considering the needs of caregivers (sometimes grandparents) and young children while facilitating outdoor experiences
• Use excellent communication skills, including speaking with children, adults, and coworkers.
• Use strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills and sound judgment as part of routine daily work.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt plans to the available spaces, weather conditions, and other needs of the day
• Commitment to working joyfully and inclusively with children and adults of all identities, with much of our work serving a racially and economically diverse urban community.
• Work in a setting with farm animals as well as native wildlife including insects, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and birds.
• Engage in the physical requirements of this role, including safely navigating outdoor terrain that includes uneven and unpaved surfaces, sitting on the ground, carrying a backpack with teaching supplies, and teaching outside in weather conditions including heat, rain, cold, and snow.
• Verifiable record of consistent attendance and punctuality at previous workplaces

Compensation

$22.50/hour 

This is a part-time, seasonal position.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume through our ADP online portal or by submitting a cover letter and resume to [email protected]. We will be reviewing applications as received, until the position is filled.

Nondiscrimination Policy and Notice

Pursuant to Title IX and its regulations (“Final Rule” released on April 19, 2024), the Board of Directors has adopted and implemented a policy stating that the Common Ground District does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity it operates, including admission and employment. Common Ground High School does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, status as a veteran, status as a victim of domestic violence, marital status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, protective hairstyles, alienage, ancestry, age, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law and prohibits discrimination, including harassment, in any education program or activity it operates. The Board shall provide protections from all forms of sex-based harassment, including sexual violence and unwelcome sex-based conduct that creates a hostile environment by limiting or denying a person’s ability to participate in or benefit from a school’s education program or activity. The Common Ground District shall take prompt and effective action to end any sex discrimination in its education programs or activities to provide for the prompt and equitable resolution of sex discrimination complaints, prevent recurrence, and remedy its effects. To that end, the District shall act promptly and effectively in response to information about conduct that reasonably may constitute discrimination, including sexual violence and other forms of sex-based harassment. The district shall also ensure that all school employees are trained about their obligations to address sex discrimination and their obligations to notify or provide contact information for the Title IX Coordinator. The Common Ground Board of Directors Non-discrimination policy includes protections for students, employees, and applicants against discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, or recovery from these conditions and shall provide reasonable modifications for students based on pregnancy or related conditions, allow for lactation for employees, and access to a clean, private lactation space for students and employees. Common Ground shall not disclose personally identifiable information obtained through complying with Title IX, with limited exceptions, such as when there had been prior written consent or when the information is disclosed to the parent of a minor. Retaliation against anyone who, in good faith, makes a report of harassment or discrimination, files a complaint of harassment or discrimination, serves as a witness, or participates in an investigation or grievance process is also a violation of Common Ground District’s non-discrimination policy and is prohibited.