• Early Childhood/Paraprofessional
• Date Posted:

5/8/2023

• Location:

Outer Range

• Date Available:

August 2023

• Closing Date:

05/15/2023

Alpine Start Forest Preschool - Paraprofessional/Teaching Assistant

POSITION TITLE: Early Childhood Paraprofessional - Outdoor School
DIRECT SUPERVISOR: Principal
CONTRACTED LENGTH TERM: 180 days, paraprofessional
SALARY: Building Level Support – Non Exempt (range $14.33 - $18.33/hr based on 22/23 salary schedule and related experience)
START DATE: August 9, 2023

OVERVIEW
What if there was a place where young people are radically seen?
Where courage is fostered through new experiences in the outdoors?
Where confidence was activated by community connection and transformation was just a part of our natural rhythm?
What if there was a school with no walls?

WELCOME TO OUTER RANGE.
This is not an ordinary paraprofessional role, and this is not an ordinary school. Outer Range is a public outdoor school that believes the young people in our community have boundless potential. Our noble purpose is for all members of our community (adults too) to be radically seen and supported through meaningful relationships and integrated learning experiences. Curriculum is co-created with our students in response to relevant needs, ideas, and interests. These learning experiences engage students in an extensive process, putting their inquiry, problem solving, and communication skills into action. Facilitators have the opportunity to intentionally foster interconnected ideas and give meaningful feedback to support growth. With nature as our classroom, we are constantly inspired by our place and transformed by the stories we gather from one another. In everything we do, we strive to cultivate four learner aims:

• Persist in the face of uncertainty
• Strengthen reciprocity in an interconnected world
• Cultivate relationships & a sense of belonging
• Genuinely wonder and critically examine

This is not a traditional paraprofessional role. As a facilitator at Outer Range you will be working to co-create and co-teach learning experiences for multiple grade levels alongside a licensed educator. The role of the adults at Outer Range is to cultivate an environment and create the conditions where deep learning and exploration can occur.

POSITION DESCRIPTION
This innovative outdoor education facilitator position for 2023/24 will build on our first year of learning in developing a new approach to school. This facilitator will work closely with staff, students, and community to design and facilitate in one of our preschool classrooms, serving students ages 3-5. You will be joining a small dedicated team of dynamic educators who work closely together to create meaningful learning experiences for our students. You should be willing to work in a collaborative interdisciplinary way and transcend traditional content areas. You should be passionate about students, families, and educational change. You hold relationships at the center while embodying an entrepreneurial spirit of a founding educator. This position is a unique opportunity for an innovative human to grow and thrive.

As the ideal candidate, you bring experience or willingness to embrace the following:

• Learner centered: Hold a mindset of starting first with students and their needs to inform curriculum and instruction decisions, as well as school systems and structures.
• Build in partnership: Join an interdisciplinary (all core content areas), cross grade level (Prek-12) team. Working in a deeply collaborative way with other educators, staff, and community to design and implement meaningful learning experiences.
• Rooted in design: Create and facilitate learning experiences that are directly connected to what is relevant in our place and students as a lens to develop a greater understanding of the world. Grow and use our competencies as the foundation of student learning experiences, embedded with engaging standards-based instruction designed by our educators.
• Passionate about content: Possess a strong interest in outdoor education and nature. We value someone with a deep understanding of one or more content areas so they can nimbly use them as the vehicle for meaningful learning rather than the destination. We appreciate people who artfully connect the “seemingly unrelated.”
• Move beyond the ordinary: Outer Range exists to shift what education can look like in Montrose County. Educators challenge the status quo and advocate fiercely for a shift in the paradigm towards learner centeredness. We do this through our daily decisions in teaching and through sharing our work. Be ready to exist with vulnerability and to share your learning with others.
• Unravel and transform: Outer Range is an iterative school and is constantly evolving. This means that staff is regularly unlearning and relearning what is possible and how to get there. We are seeking members who embrace change with courage, joy, and skill while working to challenge assumptions and elevate self-awareness.

We know it is a big ask and a non-traditional role and environment, but if you’re still reading and interested, you might be a good fit.

We humbly ask for, but do not require, an interesting (meaning not stock, boring, or typical) cover letter to accompany your application. As a fun challenge, we invite you to include the words "pillow" and "raccoon" in your letter.

EXPERIENCE:

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and skill is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and skill would be:

• A minimum of 9 months of verified experience of care for more than 4 children (not related to the invidual)
• Level I or Level II Early Childhood Professional Credential, completion of (2) of the Early Childhood Education Courses
• Outdoor education experience
• Being active in the outdoors in a variety of situations in all four seasons
• Passion and experience in outdoor expeditions or learning
• Experience with diverse student populations
• Experience with engaging parents and community stakeholders
• Language skills
• Excellent written and oral skills.
• Ability to work and be active in the outdoors in all weather conditions and all four seasons
• Demonstrated ability to assess and manage risk in the outdoors
• Experience guiding students through the inquiry process with careful questioning and feedback

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist classroom staff in maintaining a safe, clean and healthy work environment.
• Assist in the compliance of federal and state regulations, and Community Care Licensing requirements.
• Support classroom teachers in the implementation of developmentally appropriate curriculum and assessment processes.
• Model appropriate behavior and interact in a positive, friendly and courteous manner with children, staff, families and community volunteers in order to build and foster responsive relationships.
• Actively supervise and manage children in the classroom and outdoors to ensure that all children are safe and accounted for at all times. Learning will primarily take place outside during all seasons.
• Ongoing professional development through education, training and resources.
• Modify and adapt programming to meet the varied needs of students.
• Be prepared to facilitate “messy and risky” play
• Able to record observations in journals provided while maintaining observation of students.
• Ensure a healthy learning environment – including maintaining appropriate hygiene and cleanliness standards and safety and security of children.
• Aid children in hygiene and bathroom activities in public restrooms.
• Help with daily activities such as arrival, welcome circle and songs, snacks, hike, lunch, storytelling, and dismissal etc.
• Help maintain accurate records, forms and files.
• Implementation of Pyramid Model Structures and activities.
• Other tasks and duties as assigned by principal/preschool teacher

BENEFIT SUMMARY
At MCSD, we care about our employees and their loved ones. Our benefits package consist of the following items: a variety of health insurance plans with employer contribution, including dental and vision insurance, Telehealth, a $50,000 life insurance policy with optional additional coverage, PERA retirement contribution, supplemental insurance options including pet insurance, no match tax shelter account options including 401K, 457(b), 403 (b) and Roth, before tax deductions and flexible spending options, paid leave options and holidays based upon the position, Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Added perks: Great people to work with, professional development, advancement opportunities, and multiple wellness programs with incentives.

Physical Requirements:
The physical requirements indicated below are examples of the physical aspects that this position classification must perform in carrying out essential job functions:

• Work is performed in a standard classroom setting with some work being performed at various District properties and off-site locations.
• Heavy lifting, bending, stooping, sitting, standing for long periods of time may be required.
• Persons performing service in this position classification will exert 5 to 25 pounds of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.
• Exposure to hot, cold, wet, humid, or windy conditions caused by weather may occasionally be experienced.
• Perceiving the nature of sound, near and far vision, depth perception, providing oral information, the manual dexterity to operate business related equipment, and handling and working with various materials and objects are important aspects of this job.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable a person with a disability to perform the essential functions of the job.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $14.33 - $18.33 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Grade levels:

• Kindergarten
• Pre-Kindergarten

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

School subjects:

• English
• Math
• Reading
• Science

School type:

• Public school

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Montrose, CO 81401: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Experience:

• Childcare: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

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