Naturalist Teacher Internship

Title: Glen Helen Naturalist Teacher Intern

Reports To: Outdoor Education Center Director

Start Date: February 14, 2022

End Date: May 27, 2022 (with potential for a highly encouraged continuation with Ecocamp employment June- August)

Position Description

Are you interested in education, sharing nature with students, and having a transformative teaching experience in a thousand acre nature preserve? With ongoing training, support, and mentorship, Naturalist Teacher Interns teach elementary students standards-aligned science lessons, facilitate community building and student self-discovery, and provide students with an experiential, hands-on connection to the natural world! Naturalist Teacher Interns live and practice within the Glen Helen Nature Preserve, are immersed in residential science programming, and are part of an amazing team learning and growing together. This internship will provide you with real-world experience in preparation for employment as a naturalist or educator, our alumni can be found in parks and environmental learning centers across the country.

The Glen Helen Naturalist Teacher Internship begins with 2 weeks of intensive training, starting February 14, and segues into a 13-week practicum, an intensive learning experience that merges theory and practice. A typical week at the Outdoor Education Center includes a Monday training day and a Tuesday through Friday Outdoor School program. Naturalist Teacher Interns lead a group of 8-12 students, typically 4th or 5th grade, through standards-aligned science lessons and nature-based activities during a transformative four day program at Glen Helen, all the while cultivating community and student growth!

Our curriculum is aligned with Ohio Education Standards, and naturalists have the freedom to creatively develop individual lesson plans and hone their teaching style and persona. Lesson options include observation, questioning, senses, wildlife, succession, nocturnal animals, forest ecology, stream ecology, geology, weather, environmental problem solving, cultural history, cooperation and team building. We draw heavily from U of California Berkeley Lawrence Hall of Science’s BEETLES curriculum (http://beetlesproject.org) which is emerging as a national leader in environmental education teaching. In addition to teaching training, Naturalist Teacher Interns learn how to work and educate with our

educational ambassador animals, including Ohio’s native reptiles and birds of prey at the Glen Helen Raptor Center.

Naturalist Teacher Interns will experience significant gains in their skills and knowledge base as environmental educators, and leaders in general with ongoing training opportunities and mentoring taking place throughout the practicum experience. Our Naturalist Teacher Interns form a fun, passionate, engaged learning community who are interested in making a difference in the lives of children. We share the values of being inclusive, growing new skills, learning together, and communicating well in order to work together effectively. Interns live onsite of the beautiful 1,125-acre Glen Helen Nature Preserve. The vibrant and artistic Village of Yellow Springs is within walking distance. No vehicle is required, but you are welcome to bring one.

•  $225 weekly stipend, paid bi-weekly
• Housing in one of several staff houses: private bedroom, shared bathroom, common living room, kitchen, and laundry
• Meals are provided during training days and when school groups are on site, as are food staples for use in the staff kitchen. We accommodate vegan and vegetarian diets and many dietary restrictions
• Intensive mentoring from Outdoor Education Center staff
• Opportunity to strengthen teaching and naturalist skills over course of practicum learning experience
• Training to handle and teach with reptiles and birds of prey
• Gain experience with a carefully designed, state-standards aligned curriculum, including BEETLES (http://beetlesproject.org) modules, with freedom for personal expression and interests
• On-going professional development experiences - guest speakers speakers, visits to other centers, etc.

Qualifications

• • Minimum two years of undergraduate course work or associate's degree
  • Applicants must be able to commit to the full duration of the program, February 14-May 27, from the beginning of training, through the conclusion of the Outdoor School term
  • Must pass a FBI/Ohio BCI criminal background check and fingerprinting prior to the start of training
  • Proof of Vaccination against COVID-19 (and willingness to keep pace with boosters if/when they are authorized)
  • Applicants must be able to successfully complete First Aid, CPR, and AED training (to be provided on-site)
  • Passion for nature, education, and working with children outdoors
  • Applicant must be patient, hardworking, flexible, and able to react well under pressure
  • Previous experience communicating and interacting with children individually and in a small group setting preferred
  • Willing to live in community and work closely as a team
  • Ability to hike uneven terrain in all weather