Outdoor Classroom & Garden Specialist

Position Overview

The Early Learning School is seeking a dynamic, creative, and nurturing Outdoor Classroom & Garden Specialist to lead nature-rich, child-centered learning experiences in our outdoor environment and school garden. Rooted in a constructivist, play-based approach, this role supports children 6 weeks to 5 years old in exploring the natural world, engaging in meaningful work, and deepening their understanding through hands-on inquiry.

The ideal candidate brings experience in early childhood education, a love for the outdoors, and a commitment to emergent curriculum and sustainable practices. While holding the belief that children are strong and competent individuals. This position requires a motivated self-starter who thrives off of the fascination children find in exploring different ideas and concepts through new means. This position is supported and supervised by the Director of the Early Learning School.

As an ELS Specialist, you will become an integral member of the educational community here at the JCC, providing cutting-edge education while aligning with Jewish values and focusing on the seven Jewish lenses as well as the Sheva Framework. This position has two primary focuses: providing learning in the specialty area as well as providing support in classrooms as needed around the school. This specialist needs to be comfortable and well versed in creating developmentally appropriate learning experiences for children 0 – 5 years old as well as supporting classrooms as needed for the functionality of the school (ex: during teacher breaks, filling in for teacher absences, etc.)

Key Responsibilities

Curriculum & Instruction

• Design and implement developmentally appropriate outdoor and garden-based experiences that reflect children’s interests and support constructivist learning.
• Facilitate activities such as planting, harvesting, composting, nature walks, and seasonal studies (tikkun olam focused) that connect to classroom inquiries.
• Encourage sensory exploration, problem-solving, and collaboration through open-ended play and purposeful work in the natural environment.
• Collaborate with classroom teachers to integrate garden and outdoor experiences into broader classroom projects.

Environment & Materials

• Maintain an inviting, safe, and sustainable outdoor classroom and garden space that fosters wonder, agency, and connection to the environment all year long.
• Source, rotate, and care for natural and open-ended materials that provoke curiosity and support emergent investigations.
• Model and teach stewardship of the land, living things, and natural resources.
• Maintain a small annual material budget for supplies for this specialty area.

Observation & Documentation

• Observe, reflect, and document children's learning and discoveries through notes, photographs, and displays.
• Share documentation with families and staff to highlight learning, inform planning, and make children's thinking visible.

Collaboration & Community Engagement

• Serve as a resource to educators, supporting outdoor and garden integration across all age groups.
• Involve children and families in garden c