Substitute Teacher - Part time
Position Title: Pre-school/Elementary Forest School Substitute
Location: Bloomsbury Farm School
Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM–3:30 PM possibilities
Compensation: $18.00/hr
Reports To: School Director and Classroom Teachers
Position Summary
Looking for canidates to provide a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment for students to follow the classroom teacher’s plans while supporting Bloomsbury Farm School’s hands-on, experiential approach to education.
The ideal candidate is dependable, patient, flexible, and comfortable working with children in both classroom and outdoor settings while modeling kindness, curiosity, responsibility, perseverance, and respect for students, animals, nature, and the school community.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Follow lesson plans, schedules, and instructions provided by the regular classroom teacher.
Provide meaningful, age-appropriate learning experiences that encourage curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving.
Maintain a warm, positive, and respectful classroom environment.
Supervise students carefully throughout the school day, including classroom activities, outdoor learning, transitions, meals, recess, and field-based activities.
Support hands-on learning experiences involving nature, gardening, farming, animals, science, and other experiential activities as directed by the classroom teacher.
Follow all safety procedures when students are working outdoors or interacting with farm animals, tools, plants, and other elements of the farm environment.
Encourage students to demonstrate responsibility and respect when caring for the school’s animals, gardens, facilities, and natural surroundings.
Provide positive guidance and appropriate behavior management while maintaining clear and consistent expectations.
Encourage students to work cooperatively, persevere through challenges, and develop independence.
Adapt activities and instruction as needed to support individual student learning and emotional needs.
Maintain a clean, organized, and safe learning environment.
Communicate any significant academic, behavioral, social-emotional, or safety concerns to the School Director or appropriate staff member.
Leave clear and helpful notes for the regular classroom teacher regarding lessons completed, student participation, and any concerns or successes.
Maintain confidentiality regarding students and families.
Follow all Bloomsbury Farm School policies, procedures, and safety expectations.
Perform other duties as assigned by the School Director.
Desired Qualifications
High school diploma or equivalent required; college coursework or a degree in education, child development, or a related field preferred.
Experience working with children in a school, childcare, camp, farm, outdoor education, or youth-development setting preferred.
A genuine interest in working with children and supporting their academic, social, and emotional development.
Comfortable working both indoors and outdoors in a farm-based environment.
Comfortable around farm animals, bugs, and outdoors and willing to learn and follow appropriate safety procedures.
Dependable, punctual, patient, and adaptable.
Ability to remain calm and positive when unexpected situations arise.
Ability to work effectively with students of varying ages, abilities, and learning styles.
Must be willing to complete required background checks and training.
Physical & Environmental Requirements
The position may require the ability to:
Spend portions of the school day outdoors in varying weather conditions.
Walk on grass, gravel, dirt, uneven terrain, and farm pathways.
Stand, walk, bend, kneel, and participate in active learning experiences.
Supervise children during outdoor based learning activities and play.
Safely respond to student needs and emergencies.
Follow appropriate safety procedures.
Work Environment
Bloomsbury Farm School provides a unique educational environment where learning extends beyond the traditional classroom. Substitute Teachers should be prepared to participate in a hands-on, nature-based educational experience where students may learn through outdoor exploration.
The Substitute Teacher plays an important role in maintaining the positive, supportive, and engaging atmosphere that makes Bloomsbury Farm School special.