Junior / Intermediate Forest School Teacher

Position: Core Teacher Gr. 5 - 8 Junior/Intermediate
School: Tamarack West Outdoor School
Location: Toronto, near High Park/Junction Triangle, Ontario

• Start date: August 25, 2025 (with 2 paid trial days in Spring 2025)
• Duration: Aug. 25, 2025 through June 2026, with possibility for extension
• Starting Wage: $30/hour
• Hours: 3 - 4 full teaching days per week (likely Mon. - Wed./Thur. TBD, 24 - 32 hours/week), 8:30am - 4:30pm, when school is in session

Summary of the Position:

We are looking for a dedicated Gr. 5 - 8 teacher to teach 3 - 4 days/week for the 2025 - 2026 school year with Forest School and/or Outdoor Experiential Education experience. Class size is estimated to be between 5 - 7 students; a kind and keen group of kids. The teacher is expected to prepare their students for academic success should they move onto high school or attend a different school the year after, while nurturing a thirst for knowledge and learning, and incorporating a connection to nature while teaching outside in all weather for a portion of each day.

About Tamarack West:

Tamarack West Outdoor School is a full-time elementary school running from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8, and is an accredited member of the Ontario Federation of Independent Schools (OFIS). Tamarack West’s mandate is to provide a compassionate, challenging, and inspiring environment where kids feel safe to take risks and explore their potential. We are dedicated to helping develop resilient, confident, and passionate children with inquisitive minds and strong skills.

The school curriculum is guided by the Ontario Ministry of Education, enhanced by student inspirations, and excelled by Ontario Certified Teachers, Early Childhood Educators, mentors, school visitors, community members, and local experts. Tamarack West recognizes incredible potential through experiential and inquiry-based learning by participating with the community at large.

Job description:

The teacher will be responsible for the development and delivery of creative, innovative, and comprehensive classroom programming, utilising both outdoor and indoor settings daily. The ideal candidate champions a compassionate learning community that celebrates different learners, allowing them to thrive and prosper. The ideal candidate has a strong and practised background utilising an inquiry-based, student-centred mentoring approach with students both in nature and in the classroom.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Execute daily curriculum that meets students where they are at, are appropriately challenging, creative, and that creates interdisciplinary connections, utilising both outdoor and indoor settings daily
• Teach indoors for half the day daily, and outdoors for the remaining day (with the option to be outdoors for the full day based on the teacher’s decision)
• Mentor and guide students throughout the year towards continual improvement and achievement
• Integrate the school’s mandate throughout all activities
• Participate and take initiative as an active collaborator in daily planning and debriefing meetings with co-teachers
• Participate in staff meetings, professional development opportunities, and other activities related to school life
• Supervise and assess student progress and report on individual student achievement wherever it applies
• Champion a compassionate, positive, safe, and inclusive learning environment for students and all community members
• Support families with open, ongoing communication about student progress
• Maintain and handle sensitive situations/information with professionalism
• Integrate and support student teachers, volunteers, and visitors into the school community
• Ensure the safety and well-being of students at all times and abide by all Tamarack policies (including any COVID-19 safety protocols)
• Attend and participate in Staff Training where required

• Be prepared to work outdoors in all weather conditions
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• A B.Ed and Certificate of Qualification and Registration with the OCT (or equivalent) in good standing
• Up to date Vulnerable Sector Screening
• Up to date Standard First Aid and CPR-C or higher

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

• Experience with connecting kids/teens to nature
• Experience as a Forest School Teacher, Outdoor Education teacher (or similar field) and classroom teacher
• Proven excellence in classroom management, time management, organisational, and planning skills
• Strong communication, teamwork, and instructional skills
• Curiosity and willingness to accept new perspectives
• Compassion, and a desire to cultivate courage in students and their ability to nurture connection within themselves, with others, and their surroundings
• Proven ability to use a wide variety of teaching and assessment strategies to meet the learning needs of all students
• Adept at utilising an interdisciplinary, student-centred, inquiry-based approach
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work and plan in close collaboration with colleagues, parents, and students
• Excellent oral and written communication skills to handle confidential material and situations with discretion and sensitivity
• Highly accountable with strong follow-through on commitments
• Proven ability to work in an ever-changing environment (outdoors and indoors) as a supportive team player who is adaptable, able to learn quickly, and think on their feet
• A state of health that allows you to safely lead classes over uneven and hilly terrain and under a variety of weather conditions, including winter programming
• Models natural curiosity, a love for nature, and an appreciation for being outdoors rain or shine, snow or sleet

Benefits:

• Build a working relationship with our school towards possible further future employment
• A supportive, compassionate, work environment
• For qualified candidates who stay on:
  • Wage increases
  • Health Benefits (medical, dental)
  • Paid sick days

Application Procedure:

How To Apply:

Please submit the following in a single PDF document via email to eileen@tamarackwest.com

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Copy of your Ontario College of Teaching Certificate in good standing (please provide licence number if pending)
• Practice Teaching Reports (new teachers)
• Most recent performance review(s) (experienced teachers)
• Names, emails, and phone numbers of three (3) professional references (at least one of which must be a current principal/supervisor, if applicable)

PDF Filename: “[Your Full Name] - Core Teacher“
Email Subject Line: “ [Your Full Name] - Core Teacher:”.

Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.

Application Deadline: To be considered in the first round, apply no later than May 15, 2025. 
If the position is not yet filled, to be considered in the second round, apply as soon as possible, no later than June 2, 2025.
If the position is not yet filled, this post will be extended and applicants will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

No phone calls please.
Only those selected for interviews will be contacted.

Tamarack West Outdoor School provides equal opportunity employment and encourages applications from people from diverse professional, cultural and educational backgrounds. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. Information received will be addressed in confidence.

For further information about Tamarack West Outdoor School, please visit our website for more information at http://tamarackwest.com