Send your cover letter and resume to info@wildroots.love

Use the position you're seeking in the subject line. 

​​​

​

🌿 Nature School Educator

WildRoots Nature School

Location: Forest & Farm Campuses | Hillsboro & Gales Creek, Oregon

Position Type: Part-Time & Full-Time Opportunities

Start Date: As soon as possible!

​

Position Overview

We are seeking warm, creative, playful, and heart-centered educators to join our WildRoots Nature School team!

Our Nature School Educators guide children and youth ages 3–16 through immersive, nature-based learning experiences rooted in curiosity, connection, imagination, and exploration.

This position is ideal for someone who thrives in outdoor learning environments, values child-led inquiry, and understands that meaningful education grows through relationships—with the land, with one another, and with ourselves.

We are looking for educators who bring their own unique passions, skills, and experiences to our learning community. Whether your background is in early childhood education, environmental science, outdoor leadership, storytelling, the arts, or alternative education, we welcome the opportunity to explore how your gifts might enrich our programs.

We have multiple teaching opportunities available, with flexibility in age groups, schedules, and responsibilities depending on experience, interests, and program needs.

​

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation is dependent on experience, qualifications, and the scope of the position.

Benefits for eligible positions may include:

• Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Paid holidays aligned with the school calendar

• Professional development stipends and paid training opportunities

• Dedicated time for curriculum planning, documentation, and collaboration

• Opportunities for growth into leadership and program development roles

• A collaborative, mission-driven team culture rooted in connection and shared purpose

​

Who We Are

WildRoots Collective is a nonprofit organization dedicated to growing resilient communities through learning, environmental stewardship, and meaningful connection.

One of our core programs, WildRoots Nature School, serves children and youth ages 3–16 through immersive, outdoor, nature-based education across our forest and farm campuses in Washington County, Oregon.

Our educational philosophy draws inspiration from forest school traditions, Reggio Emilia, Waldorf education, and other progressive, experiential approaches to learning.

We believe that children are capable, curious, and inherently worthy of respect. Our emergent, child-centered curriculum makes room for imagination, inquiry, storytelling, practical skills, creative expression, and deep connections with the natural world.

We are a neuro-affirming, trauma-informed, and inclusive learning community. We approach behavior through connection, curiosity, collaboration, and guidance rather than control.

At WildRoots, we value connection over control, collaboration over hierarchy, and growth over perfection—and we strive to bring these values into both our classrooms and our team culture.

​

Key Responsibilities

🌿 Nature-Based Education & Facilitation

• Facilitate engaging, developmentally responsive learning experiences rooted in nature-based, emergent curriculum.

• Support child-led inquiry, imaginative play, collaborative exploration, and hands-on learning.

• Incorporate storytelling, literature, art, music, science, movement, and practical skills into daily experiences.

• Create opportunities for children to connect with local ecosystems, seasonal rhythms, and the living world.

• Encourage curiosity, creativity, problem-solving, and a lifelong love of learning.

🌱 Child Development & Relationship-Based Guidance

• Foster a nurturing, inclusive environment where children feel safe, respected, and valued.

• Support emotional regulation, self-awareness, social connection, independence, and confidence.

• Approach behavior as communication, responding with curiosity, compassion, and collaborative problem-solving.

• Honor each child's individual developmental needs, strengths, interests, and ways of engaging with the world.

• Support healthy group dynamics, conflict resolution, and a strong sense of community and belonging.

🍂 Daily Rhythm & Environmental Stewardship

• Help establish consistent, supportive daily rhythms while maintaining flexibility for emerging interests and discoveries.

• Maintain safe, welcoming, and engaging outdoor learning environments.

• Support children in developing practical skills, environmental awareness, and a sense of responsibility for shared spaces.

• Participate in seasonal stewardship activities such as gardening, habitat restoration, and caring for the land.

• Model curiosity, adaptability, resilience, and respect for the natural world.

✏️ Curriculum Planning, Documentation & Collaboration

• Observe and document children's learning through photographs, learning stories, and reflective practice.

• Collaborate with fellow educators to develop responsive curriculum and meaningful learning experiences.

• Communicate thoughtfully and professionally with families.

• Participate in team meetings, planning sessions, and professional development.

• Contribute to a supportive, reflective, and collaborative school culture.

​

Qualifications

We are looking for educators who:

• Have experience working with children or youth in educational, recreational, or community settings.

• Bring a warm, grounded, responsive, and playful presence.

• Have a passion for nature-based, experiential, and child-centered learning.

• Are comfortable spending their days outdoors in all seasons and weather conditions.

• Demonstrate an understanding of child development and relationship-based guidance.

• Are creative, adaptable, collaborative, and comfortable navigating the dynamic nature of outdoor learning.

• Have strong communication skills and a commitment to reflective practice.

• Value diversity, equity, inclusion, and neuro-affirming educational approaches.

 

Especially Welcome:

• Experience in forest school, outdoor education, environmental education, or alternative education settings.

• Backgrounds in early childhood education, elementary or secondary education, or youth development.

• Familiarity with emergent curriculum, project-based learning, or Reggio Emilia and Waldorf-inspired approaches.

• Experience supporting neurodivergent learners and diverse developmental needs.

• Skills or interests in ecology, natural sciences, storytelling, creative arts, handcrafts, gardening, wilderness skills, or land stewardship.

• Bilingual or multilingual educators (Spanish especially encouraged).

We recognize that meaningful teaching experience comes from many different pathways. Applicants with nontraditional educational backgrounds and complementary skills are warmly encouraged to apply.

 

Who You Are

• You value connection over control.

• You see children as capable, curious, and worthy of respect.

• You understand that behavior is communication.

• You find joy in muddy boots, big questions, imaginative adventures, and unexpected discoveries.

• You are playful, patient, creative, and grounded.

• You embrace collaboration, reflection, and lifelong learning.

• You are comfortable following children's curiosity while providing thoughtful guidance and structure.

• You believe that learning is relational, experiential, and deeply connected to place.

​

Why This Role Matters

At WildRoots, education is about more than academic growth. It is about nurturing resilient, compassionate, creative humans who feel deeply connected to themselves, their communities, and the natural world.

As a Nature School Educator, you will help create the experiences, relationships, and memories that shape children's understanding of themselves and their place in the world.

You will also become part of a growing community of educators committed to reimagining what education can look and feel like.

​

How to Apply

If this work speaks to you, we'd love to hear from you!

Please send:

• A resume

• A letter of interest or intent

• Three professional references

 

Email: info@wildroots.love

Subject Line: Nature School Educator Application

​

In your letter, we invite you to share not only your professional experience but also your personal interests, passions, and what draws you to nature-based education.

Please also share your preferred age groups, availability, and whether you are seeking part-time or full-time employment.

We look forward to learning about the unique gifts you might bring to our WildRoots community!

Bilingual and multilingual applicants, educators from diverse backgrounds, and those with nontraditional pathways into education are strongly encouraged to apply.

​