Kester has spent much of the last years involved with environmental and cultural work in Central and South America, particularly the Amazon. He has worked alongside scientists and Indigenous knowledge-holders, and come to realise the importance of cultivating a perspective that is natural to all of us: deep connection with Place. An awareness that engages the beauty and mystery of the land is something he seeks to deepen each day. Environmental politics, youth work, and an interest in conservation led him initially to work in the tropics, where several years of transformation brought him to Canada with a clear purpose to integrate those lessons and cultivate that awareness within his ailing Western culture. After mentorship training at the Wilderness Awareness School, Washington, he began work for a forest school based out of North Vancouver, applying the 8-shields “Coyote” Mentoring model, to guide youth in their connection to the land. He’s new to the Yukon, and is enjoying getting to know the communities of Whitehorse and further afield. He finds joy in long wanders on the water or the land, both alone and with friends. Besides speaking to birds, and discovering the patterns in the landscape, he loves to play flutes and guitars, and to read and write poetry. His family home is on the rugged West coast of the Scottish Highlands.
"I am thankful that Emily & Zack could come into our class and teach us about salmon."
-Participant, Grade 2
"The presenters had students engaged through lots of movement while incorporating learning!"
-Teacher, Takhini Elementary School
Position
Forest Preschool Educator (Early Childhood Educator) NOC 4214
Location
Whitehorse, Yukon
Program Overview
The Nest is a new Forest Preschool program servicing young children aged 3-5, and run by Rivers to Ridges. We encourage learners to develop a deep sense of place through understanding their role in the natural world. Our teaching is guided by the learners' passions, and we work to customize our programming around our unique group of students. We believe strongly in fostering a deep sense of curiosity and holding space for significant amounts of outdoor, exploratory play to build a foundation for a healthy start.
Organization Overview
Rivers to Ridges believes that deepening our connection to natural world is crucial for healthy bodies and minds. When we have a strong relationship with the land, we have healthy relationships with ourselves and our community. We deliver nature programming for children and youth all year round through naturalist studies, survival skills and scenarios, sensory awareness activities, storytelling, team and individual challenges, forest songs, and land stewardship. We run camps in all seasons for ages 5-18, in-school workshops, educator trainings, and more. Our educational philosophy is built on concept nature mentorship, working alongside children to discover answers together. Our year-round programs are based out of Whitehorse, Yukon, on the traditional territory of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and the Ta'an Kwach'an Council.
Job Overview
We are looking for an engaging, creative and dynamic individual to fill the role of Forest Preschool Educator with Rivers to Ridges at The Nest. You will be responsible for caring and programming for young children aged 3-5 each day. During program, you will be present and focused on the children's' safety and experience. You will prioritize regular routines, consistency, and outdoor exploring time in all seasons (including Yukon winter conditions). After program, you may be engaging with parents/guardians, debriefing with other staff, gathering and maintaining program materials, preparing for the next day, and other tasks as they come up. The ideal candidate will be passionate about outdoor learning with an ability to reach out to children and create a relationship based on mutual trust and mentoring support. The goal in this position is to help foster curiosity in young children and to be a dedicated ally in the process of wilderness learning.
Responsibilities
Benefits of Employment
TBD based on education and experience
Forest Preschool Educator (Early Childhood Educator) NOC 4214
Location
Whitehorse, Yukon
Program Overview
The Nest is a new Forest Preschool program servicing young children aged 3-5, and run by Rivers to Ridges. We encourage learners to develop a deep sense of place through understanding their role in the natural world. Our teaching is guided by the learners' passions, and we work to customize our programming around our unique group of students. We believe strongly in fostering a deep sense of curiosity and holding space for significant amounts of outdoor, exploratory play to build a foundation for a healthy start.
Organization Overview
Rivers to Ridges believes that deepening our connection to natural world is crucial for healthy bodies and minds. When we have a strong relationship with the land, we have healthy relationships with ourselves and our community. We deliver nature programming for children and youth all year round through naturalist studies, survival skills and scenarios, sensory awareness activities, storytelling, team and individual challenges, forest songs, and land stewardship. We run camps in all seasons for ages 5-18, in-school workshops, educator trainings, and more. Our educational philosophy is built on concept nature mentorship, working alongside children to discover answers together. Our year-round programs are based out of Whitehorse, Yukon, on the traditional territory of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and the Ta'an Kwach'an Council.
Job Overview
We are looking for an engaging, creative and dynamic individual to fill the role of Forest Preschool Educator with Rivers to Ridges at The Nest. You will be responsible for caring and programming for young children aged 3-5 each day. During program, you will be present and focused on the children's' safety and experience. You will prioritize regular routines, consistency, and outdoor exploring time in all seasons (including Yukon winter conditions). After program, you may be engaging with parents/guardians, debriefing with other staff, gathering and maintaining program materials, preparing for the next day, and other tasks as they come up. The ideal candidate will be passionate about outdoor learning with an ability to reach out to children and create a relationship based on mutual trust and mentoring support. The goal in this position is to help foster curiosity in young children and to be a dedicated ally in the process of wilderness learning.
Responsibilities
- Design and execute daily routines and plan appropriate creative outdoor learning experiences for children
- Liaise respectfully with Elders, knowledge-keepers, and other visiting guests
- Differentiate learning approaches for children based on a variety of needs
- Use skills-based instruction, as well an awareness-building approach, to teach topics ranging from shelter-building, wildlife tracking, bird language, storytelling, wild harvesting, sensory training, plant identification and more. (Knowledge of all of these topics is not necessary, however willingness to learn and research is crucial.)
- Create educational content as needed (carving, building, photocopying, etc.)
- Participate in regular staff culture circles
- Use Rivers to Ridges equipment and materials with care; help with maintenance
- Collaborate and work respectfully alongside other educators
- Enrich outdoor teaching skills and knowledge through independent and/or collaborative research
- Observe and understand learners’ behaviour and psyche and report suspicions of neglect, abuse, etc.
- Listen to and work to honour the needs of parents and families
- Other related responsibilities as needed
- Level 1, 2, or 3 Early Childhood Education designation (or willingness to obtain prior to September 2018)
- Current successful experience working with children 3 years – 5 years of age in a child care environment demonstrating/modelling healthy and positive behaviours
- Proven experience and interest working creatively outdoors with young children with a range of abilities and backgrounds
- Recent experience planning, developing and implementing a variety of recreational, social, life skill and parenting programming and activities for young children
- Experience working effectively in a team environment
- Demonstrated work ethic and the ability to maintain professional confidentiality
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Well-organized and able to be part of a teaching team
- Must be available from August 2018 to June 2019 (with likelihood of extension)
Benefits of Employment
- Join a team of passionate outdoor learning professionals
- Access to unique professional development opportunities
- Work with nationally recognized and supported program
- Enjoy significant time outside in your job
- Competitive salary
- Current (within 6 months) clean Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening
- Medical clearance, ’fit to work’ designation & TB test
- Current immunization record
- Basic CPR-C First Aid Training or willingness to acquire prior to September 2018
TBD based on education and experience
Emily and Erin's first encounter while on a multi-day backpacking trip from Alligator Lake to Mount Sima, Yukon
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