Outdoor Education Teacher (Grades 5-8)

Job Title: Outdoor Education Teacher (Grades 5-8)

Department: North Star Academy 

Supervisor: Academy Director

FLSA Status: Exempt

This position is for the 2024-2025 school year.

Position Summary:

The Outdoor Education Teacher provides instruction that enables students to learn experientially, through direct guided experience, active participation and nature’s resources, including Snowflake. The educator works in partnership with other educators and community resources  to create student learning opportunities that align with MN standards, supports educational objectives, supports classroom curricula, and extends academic and social-emotional growth.  The position is approximately .8 FTE teaching and .2 program planner.

Key Position Specific Roles & Responsibilities:

• Creates activities that utilize Snowflake and align with MN Standards.

• Assesses student’s mastery of MN standards using standards-based reporting.

• Provides support for classroom teachers to access and instruct using the resources in Snowflake.

• Collaborates with the house team, curriculum coordinators, classroom teachers and parents.

• Uses formative and summative assessment data to inform instruction.

• Writes, implements and evaluates his or her own professional development plans. 

• Teaches rules of conduct; models the behavior expected of students; maintains order in the classroom.

• Creates and manages a PBIS based learning environment that enables students to feel safe, be creative and develop excellence.

• Keeps attendance and grade records as required by school.  Utilize our Learning management system and enter grades in a timely fashion.

• Administers MAP, MCA and other assigned assessments as relevant to his or her area of teaching.

• Analyzes classroom data to inform his or her teaching and small group instruction.

• Integrates technology into their teaching and professional activities.

• Leads the collaboration with other outdoor education teachers at the school toward alignment of MN standards (in particular science and social studies) for a K-8 outdoor science and education program 

• Collaborates with house teams  on curriculum, planning and student needs,  Attends house and staff meetings; attends and participates in professional development trainings.

• Creates and works toward ongoing communication with parents in a variety of forms.

• Implements school and district policies and procedures.

• Participates in and contributes to student planning and problem solving conferences.  Collaborates with other professionals/stakeholders working with the student.  Implements any planned and documented interventions.

• Maintains familiarity with and be prepared to implement current district and building Emergency Procedures.

• Engage school leadership and instructional staff to identify and develop educational initiates related to and utilizing the existing campus outdoor resources

• In coordination with school leadership and instructional staff, identify potential future initiatives and resource development opportunities that would enhance campus resources and educational opportunities (i.e.: gardens, greenhouse, solar, wind, weather station, educational markers, orienteering course, etc…).  As determined by school leadership and Tischer Creek, coordinate development and implementation of such developments.

• Maintains confidentiality of sensitive information, adheres to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) regulations.

• Demonstrates familiarity with policies of the Duluth Public Schools District and state and federal regulations pertaining to education.

• Participates on committees and special projects and other related duties as assigned.

• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities 

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience 

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in education or an equivalent combination of education and experience permitting one to obtain appropriate licensure as a teacher by the Minnesota Department of Education.

Language Skills 

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common journals, reports, and education related documents.  Ability to respond to common inquiries or concerns from students, caregivers, regulatory agencies, or members of the school community.  Ability to write lesson plans and other materials that conform to commonly accepted style and format. Ability to effectively present information to students, caregivers, management, and colleagues.

Mathematical Skills 

The ability to analyze and understand data represented multiple ways (charts, graphs, etc.); identify trends or ‘root causes’ in data; and calculate with percentages.

Reasoning Ability 

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Computer Skills 

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Google Docs and a strong background in instructional technology platforms.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations 

Valid Minnesota Teacher’s License appropriate for the particular grades or subject matter assigned.

Physical Demands 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and is regularly required to talk and hear.  The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to sit; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.