Zoo School Lead Teacher
Collaborate with a passionate Zoo Crew in San Antonio
Choosing where to grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so it’s equally important you know that the place you choose to work at will support and guide you. With a diversity of passionate people, San Antonio Zoo is a place where you can collaborate with others securing a future for wildlife.
The Impact You’ll Make in this Role
The Will Smith Zoo School is recognized for its outstanding achievement, innovation in education program design, and implementation by the Zoological Association of America for early education preschools. As a Lead Teacher for the award-winning Will Smith Zoo School, you will empower children to appreciate, protect, and understand the world around them. The Zoo School Lead Teacher is primarily responsible for developing and teaching at Zoo School, a nature-based preschool for children ages 3-5. May also facilitate programs with parents and other education audiences when needed.
As a Zoo School Lead Teacher, you will have the opportunity to tap into your curiosity and collaborate with some of the most innovative and diverse people in San Antonio. Here, you will make an impact by:
Work with leadership team to:
- Design nature-based developmentally appropriate preschool program guided by mission, principles and practices for quality early childhood programs and the San Antonio Zoo
- Identify curriculum resources
- Design and set up classroom space
- Assist with marketing and development
Teaching and Evaluating:
- Serve as a teacher for nature-based preschool classes
- Assess programs based on current research and developmentally appropriate practices and make recommendations for improvement
- Assure compliance with all relevant governmental rules and regulations. Be aware of and responsive to best practices within the early childhood profession
Creating Community:
- Create an environment that encourages inquiry, wonder, and intentional risk-taking
- Follow children’s interest and inquiries when developing engaging lessons and activities
- Interact with children, staff, volunteers and parents in a way that fosters empathy, curiosity, and confidence
- Ensure that parents are informed and involved in their children’s experiences and progress
- Promote the importance of early childhood nature education to parents, caregivers, teachers, funders, etc. through articles, newsletters, interviews, etc.
- Establish and maintain positive, cooperative, and effective working relations with fellow employees.
- Enforce all San Antonio Zoo restrictions and limitations
- Be flexible and positive in handling last minute changes in program agenda
- Any and all other duties as assigned
- Constantly exhibit a guest service attitude, a smile, and an obvious interest in guest comfort and service.
- Communicate with the public in a courteous and tactful manner and assist guests with questions and directions to various areas of the Zoo. Address the guest - do not wait to be asked.
- Remove trash and debris from public area.
- Any and all other duties as assigned.
Your Skills and Expertise
To set you up for success in this role from day one, the San Antonio Zoo recommends the following skills/qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in child development or early childhood education
- At least 2 years of experience in the facilitation/management of play and preschool environments for children 3-5
- Commitment to the importance of nature play within the field of early childhood education
- Commitment to conservation
- Knowledge of, aptitude for, and enthusiasm for learning basic natural history/ecology concepts
- Demonstrated verbal, written and interpersonal skills; ability to be a creative and flexible team leader
- Experience and comfort in nature/working outdoors
- Must be available Monday through Friday, with the ability to occasionally work weekends, holidays and after-hour assignments
- Strong communication skills. Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely.
- Ability to relate effectively and engagingly with the public, especially very young children and their parents
- Strong organizational skills
- Experience with desktop publishing and general computer skills
- Valid driver’s license
The San Antonio Zoo is an equal opportunity employer. San Antonio Zoo will not discriminate against any applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.