Giving Tree Learning Center, a 501c3 nonprofit, is a private, learner-driven community with the mission of encouraging natural curiosity and a life-long passion for learning. Our co-learning community is located in Camden, Maine and supports 18 – 25 kids in a multi-age environment 4 days per week. We are seeking a Lead Guide for our older cohort beginning Fall 2024. 

The Lead Guide Upper works with our learners age 9 and older on nature-based learning, reading, language arts, and math.

It is the Lead Guide Upper’s responsibility to:

• Create a schedule and rhythm for the day
• Prepare lesson plans for reading, language arts, and math that tie into the nature-based concepts being studied by the whole group
• Guide students in the day’s schedule, goal-setting and progress-tracking
• Tie in enrichment activities, such as art and project-based learning, to the nature-based content 
• Guide students in creating meaningful portfolios of work
• Practice the Socratic method at all times
• Model what it means to be an independent lifelong learner
• Uphold our core beliefs and promises to our learners and families
• Manage administrative tasks such as scheduling guest speakers, documenting the learning process, supervising field trips, etc.
• Contribute to weekly updates that will be shared with parents
• Communicate effectively with parents, as needed

Preferred Experience and Skills:

We are looking for a guide with nature-based, outdoor experience, or Montessori training or similar philosophy, with a deep curiosity about life, a lifelong love of learning, and an entrepreneurial spirit (must thrive in a start-up environment & not be afraid of mud). 

We seek someone who:

• Has at least 3 years experience working in a nature-based, project-based learning, environmental education, or Montessori environment
• Has proven excellence in guiding children
• Has a clear passion for student-directed learning
• Models a growth mindset and loves to experiment, evaluate, and improve upon everything she/he does
• Has a deep respect for all children; empathy for the challenges that children face in their lives; and a commitment to peaceful, compassionate limit setting
• Is a quick, independent learner who can take direction and then run with it, requiring little direct supervision/guidance once goals have been communicated.
• Is an avid reader
• Is able to coach/guide math through 8th grade level
• Is receptive to receiving feedback, and open to being coached and mentored

Pay: Competitive and based on experience

Schedule:

• Monday thru Thursday, from 8:00 am – 3:30 pm
• Learning Center calendar runs from week after Labor day to beginning of June

Education & Experience:

• Preferably has an AMI, AMS, or MACTE accredited Montessori diploma for elementary or older aged children or
• Nature-based, outdoor learning, or environmental education certification or training, plus hands-on experience in a learning environment
• 3 years of experience working with children (in or out of the school environment)
• CPR/First Aid certified, preferred

Please send a resume and letter of interest to: info@givingtreelearningcenter.com