Teacher - Kickapoo Valley Forest School - Two positions - Vacancy ID: 133297

KVFS is seeking two innovative teachers to join a collaborative team of educators serving young children in a public forest school charter. The KVFS will ultimately enroll approximately 64 students in grades 4K - 2nd who will benefit from nature-immersed, inquiry and play-based learning that research increasingly shows benefits child development. The KVFS is located on the Kickapoo Valley Reserve which is an 8,600-acre tract of public land located between the villages of La Farge and Ontario in southwestern Wisconsin. Links to recent media coverage about KVFS: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=344794017474310&extid=CL-UNK-UNK-UNK-AN_GK0T-GK1C&ref=sharing https://madison.com/wsj/news/local/education/local_schools/watch-now-a-charter-school-with-all-day-outdoor-education-in-the-middle-of-winter/article_144be83c-14cd-5c8b-9c03-d39a209af0a2.html#tracking-source=home-top-story Based on its mission, the KVFS curriculum will be place-based within a forest school model centered around play. Three tenets of KVFS are: Daily nature immersion; Commitment to child-centered practices; and Fostering environmental stewardship. KVFS will be in its second year of operation during the 2022-2023 school year. The teacher will be responsible for up to 16 students in a 4K and Kindergarten mixed age classroom. The teacher will implement a child-led, place-based and inquiry-based forest school curriculum. The “classroom” will be the natural world and each class of students will have a homeroom base indoors and a dedicated paraprofessional. Essential Functions: Function as a member of the teaching team involving up to eight other educational professionals. Perform all aspects of classroom management, lesson planning, instruction, and assessment. Attend appropriate conferences, workshops, and inservices. Provide for ongoing collaboration and communication with student families. Qualifications: This position requires a solid educational background including a Bachelor’s degree, preferably in education. Applicants must have or be able to attain appropriate teaching licensure issued by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction; certification in Early Childhood or Elementary Education preferred. Qualified applicants should have experience or competencies in some of the following: Willingness to engage in substantial professional development regarding the forest school model and child-centered practices Successful early childhood/early elementary teaching experience Working with children with differing developmental needs Familiarity with and passion for place-based or nature-immersion education Leadership skills, including the ability to work independently and to work effectively with groups and individuals Curriculum development Responding effectively to various needs in a quickly shifting environment Family or community engagement initiatives Strong written and verbal communication skills Excellent problem-solving and time management skills Naturalist skills and knowledge of Wisconsin natural history Facilitating and participating in an overall work environment of mutual respect and collaboration Must be able to physically traverse the KVR landscape with ease and be comfortable teaching outdoors for full days, year round in all types of weather, and carry up to 50 pounds for short periods. Applicants are encouraged to review the KVFS website for more information and context about our history, culture, and mission. Application Process: Submit cover letter, resume, and up to three letters of reference speaking to above qualifications and experiences. Selection process may include multiple interviews, school visits, etc. With questions please feel free to contact: Meaghan Gustafson District Administrator La Farge Schools gustafsonm@lafarge.k12.wi.us 608-625-2400