Lead Teacher - Nature Preschool

Do you believe children learn best when they're outside, hands in the dirt, exploring the world around them? We're looking for a passionate and experienced Certified Lead Teacher to join our nature-based early childhood program. In this role, you'll lead a classroom where the outdoors is the curriculum — guiding young children to connect with, care for, and appreciate the natural world while building the social-emotional foundations they'll carry for life.

What you'll do

Curriculum & learning

Plan and lead engaging, hands-on nature-based activities - art, music, motor skills, and outdoor exploration. Document children's growth to inform bi-yearly progress reports and family conferences. Support and review reports drafted by co-teachers.

Team leadership & mentorship

Mentor and support co-teachers, interns, and volunteers. Foster a culture of continued professional growth. Provide coverage across classes or sites as needed to support staffing ratios.

Family engagement

Build warm, ongoing relationships with families through in-person communication, email, a monthly newsletter, and the ProCare app. Orient new enrollees and participate in parent-teacher conferences.

Safety & compliance

Conduct daily environmental safety checks, name-to-face checks at every transition, and monthly fire drills. Maintain EEC-required certifications and documentation, and uphold all health, safety, and supervision standards (CMR 606).

Schedule & Benefits

This is a part-time salaried position scheduled for approximately 24 hours per week. Teaching hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM–12:00 PM, with additional paid prep time built into the schedule each week.

The school calendar includes paid holidays and seasonal breaks that closely align with local public school calendars, including major vacation weeks and observed holidays.

What we're looking for

• EEC Lead Teacher Professional Certification (required)
• Suitable Background Check (required)
• EEC StrongStart Essentials 2.0 Training certificate & Refresher (Required)
• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or related field preferred - equivalent experience considered
• Experience with nature-based or experiential learning a plus
• Strong understanding of child development and social-emotional learning
• Experience mentoring or supervising staff
• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative spirit

Physical requirements

This role involves frequent bending, squatting, walking on trails, and lifting/carrying up to 50 lbs. You'll work outdoors in varied weather conditions on uneven terrain — and love it.

Contingencies of Employment

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of all required background checks (including those required by EEC regulations), reference checks, verification of credentials and qualifications, and any other pre-employment requirements applicable to the position.

At Will Employment

Employment with BOPN will be on an “at will” basis, meaning that either you or BOPN may terminate your employment at any time. BOPN also reserves the right to modify or amend the terms of your employment at any time for any reason. Although your job duties, title, compensation, as well as BOPN’s personnel policies and procedures may change from time to time, the “at will” nature of your employment may only be changed in an express written agreement signed by you or your representative and BOPN’s leadership.

Equal Opportunity Employer

BOPN is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, national origin (including hairstyles associated with those groups), religion or religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, age, marital status, pregnancy or related conditions, disability, mental illness, genetic information or genetic test results, political affiliation, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Massachusetts Lie Detector Notice

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.