Job Descriptions

Co-Teacher, 2025- 2026 School Year

September 2nd, 2025- June 4th, 2026

Mondays - Wednesdays - Fridays, 8:45 am - 3 pm

$22/ hr - 31.25 hours per week, plus 1 hour planning time per week

Location: Albany Park, Chicago. Location subject to change due to inclement weather. 


Position Summary: River Oak is a fully outdoor, year round preschool program located in the Albany Park neighborhood. The role of the co-teacher is to prepare and facilitate the creation of outdoor spaces that inspire play and learning for children ages 2.5 - 5. This role involves observation and assessment of the children’s interests, play styles, and their development over time. For example- what do we notice each child working on cognitively, social-emotionally, and physically? How can we create an environment that further supports their growth and development? Teachers set up play spaces daily using a variety of loose parts such as kitchen dishes, tapestries, wooden log swings, and blanket activities. The role of the co-teacher is to observe carefully the children’s interests and provide ideas on how to structure the environment to support those interests. Interests may range from wild imaginative play to wonderings such as “what do animals do in winter?”

River Oak is a child-led, play-based program. What that means to us is that the children lead the way, while the teachers create a safe, calm environment for the children to thrive. While we may sometimes offer more structured activities, mostly we aim to allow children to play with each other, without adult/teacher intervention. We approach children with respect and calm, asking open ended questions and supporting conflict resolution through curiosity. Co-teachers must be comfortable taking a step back, spending ample time each day in observation of the children. 


Qualifications:

  • Experience working with young children, 2.5- 5, in a formal or informal group care setting.

  • Some knowledge of child development, environmental science and/or other relevant area of expertise for outdoor learning. 

  • CPR and First Aid certified by start date

  • Ability to pass a background check

Essential Responsibilities:

  • Be reliable and punctual. It is absolutely essential that teachers show up on time, every day. We are a very small program, so teachers must be able to commit to the days and hours to maintain safe teacher to child ratios. 

  • Have a calm, joyful energy. We aim to provide children a calm, safe space that is infused with love and joy. A teacher’s energy has a huge impact on the environment. Maintain personal comfort in an outdoor setting in all types of weather, this includes rain and snow. 

  • Must be flexible and adaptable to changing weather, environments, and daily plans. Must be able to creatively problem solve, while staying calm and grounded. 

  • Aide in curriculum development and planning each week. The co-teacher is given an hour of planning time each week to plan in collaboration with other teachers. Exact planning duties will depend on the expertise of each teacher. 

  • Participate in regular and ongoing observation and communication with co-teachers about the children’s development. Must have some general knowledge of child development and/or an eagerness to learn.

  • First Aid & CPR certified

Physical Responsibilities:

  • Ability to stand, sit, kneel, walk, etc. on all types of terrain. We sit on the ground frequently in all types of weather. 

  • Ability to work in all weather for 6.25 hours per shift.

  • Ability to lift and carry heavy materials, and pull a heavy wagon through various terrains

Applications: Please email cover letter and resume to riveroakcoop@gmail.com.