Outdoor schools, Forest schools, Nature schools

Position: Bilingual Primary/Junior Teacher (Guide)
School: The Loom School
Location: Manor Park, Ottawa ON
Hours: full-time

About The Loom

The Loom School is an independent, studio-based school in Ottawa's Manor Park neighbourhood, currently serving learners from JK through Grade 8 and growing toward JK–Grade 12. We believe school should be a place where children develop agency, purpose, and community. Our JK–Grade 1 program weaves together child-led play, extended time outdoors, and social-emotional learning — all within a bilingual (English/French) environment that reflects the community we're part of.

The Position

We're looking for a full-time, bilingual (English/French) Guide to team-teach our JK–Grade 1 group. Mornings are spent outdoors and in French — loose-parts, child-led, forest-school-inspired play rooted in the rhythms of the natural world. Afternoons move indoors and into English, with creative, loose-parts, and imaginative play that builds early literacy skills.

The whole program is built around social-emotional development first — self-regulation, independence, a sense of belonging — while staying ready to stretch learners toward more academic skills as they prepare to move up to the Grade 2-5 program.

Depending on the candidate, there may also be an opportunity to support our Grade 2–5 group.

You'll team-teach alongside our Head of School and Lead Guide, sharing responsibility for planning, delivery, and the day-to-day rhythm of the group.

Start Date: Immediate
Hours: 7:45 AM – 3:45 PM, Monday through Friday
Language: Bilingual (French/English)

What You'll Do

• Team-teach our outdoor, French-language forest school programming for JK–Grade 2 learners
• Team-teach our indoor, English-language afternoon program, building early literacy through creative and imaginative play
• Design and facilitate learning experiences — explorations, projects, and discussions — that connect children to place and to each other
• Support learners in developing independence, self-regulation, and a sense of belonging
• Keep outdoor and indoor spaces safe, inviting, and cared for
• Communicate clearly and warmly with families, and flag concerns to the Head of School
• Participate in team planning, school events, and your own ongoing professional development

What We're Looking For

• Strong language skills in both French and English
• One of the following:
  • Forest and Nature School Practitioner certification, or equivalent outdoor/nature-based teaching experience
  • ECE certification with relevant teaching experience
• Experience facilitating groups of children aged 4–7+
• Warmth, patience, and strong relationship-building with young children
• A genuine love of the outdoors and comfort in all weather
• A proponent of risky play, child-led exploration, and learning through doing
• A collaborative teacher who's equally comfortable working independently and taking initiative — a go-getter who doesn't wait to be told
• Flexible and willing to learn from mistakes as we build something new together
• Comfort with a non-traditional school model
• Up-to-date First Aid and CPR certification

Nice to Have

• Both Forest School and ECE credentials
• Experience in a mixed-age or multi-grade setting
• Familiarity with studio-based or project-based learning approaches

To Apply

Send a short note introducing yourself and your experience, along with a résumé, to connect@theloom.school . Learn more about us at theloom.school. We'd love to hear what draws you to this kind of work.

Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.