Substitute Teacher

Job Description

Job Description

About This Role

Organization: A New Leaf School

Location: Nashville, TN (Coverage required across all three campuses: Nashville and Bellevue)

Position Type: On-Call / Part-Time / As-Needed (Planned & Unplanned Absences)

About A New Leaf School

At A New Leaf, we believe every child is uniquely talented, capable, and deserving of a rich environment to explore, grow, and learn. Grounded in a Reggio Emilia-inspired constructivist approach and nature-based education, we view the environment—our fields, forests, gardens, and indoor ateliers—as the "third teacher" alongside parents and educators. We foster curiosity, critical thinking, and social-emotional growth through hands-on, inquiry-driven projects, honoring the "100 languages" through which young learners express themselves.

Position Summary

We are seeking adaptable, energetic, and passionate Substitute Teachers to join our team. Substitutes play a critical role in maintaining our calm, joyful, and nature-immersed learning environments during both planned teacher absences and last-minute call-outs. Candidates must be willing and able to work across all three of our campus locations as coverage needs arise. Substitutes should be comfortable working seamlessly across multiple age groups—including Preschool (ages 3–5) and Grades K–3—and leading instructional activities both indoors and outdoors in all kinds of weather.

What You'll Do

Key Responsibilities

• Multi-Campus Mobility: Travel to and work flexibly across all three campus locations based on daily operational and classroom coverage needs.
• Adaptability & Availability: Respond flexibly to short-notice call-outs as well as scheduled in advance coverages across campuses.
• Dual Age-Group Leadership: Comfortable guiding preschool students (ages 3–5) through emergent, play-based play and routines, as well as leading structured and inquiry-based instruction for elementary students (Grades K–3).
• Outdoor & Nature-Based Engagement: Facilitate learning, outdoor play, and exploration across our outdoor environments (forest, garden, and campus outdoor spaces) regardless of rain, sunshine, or seasonal weather.
• Philosophy Alignment: Honor the child’s agency, support collaborative project work, and maintain a warm, social-emotional framework consistent with our Reggio-inspired philosophy.
• Safety & Supervision: Ensure active supervision, safety protocols, and proper risk management across both indoor classroom spaces and outdoor terrains.
• Classroom Management: Step in to uphold existing daily rhythms, supporting students in feeling safe, heard, and supported in the absence of their primary lead teacher.
• Communication: Maintain clear, concise communication with classroom co-teachers, administrators, and parents/guardians as needed.

Requirements

Qualifications & Requirements

• Campus Availability: Willingness and reliable transportation to travel to and work at all three campuses.
• Educational Background: Prior experience in early childhood education, elementary instruction, environmental education, or a related field (Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree preferred).
• Versatility Across Ages: Demonstrated ability to connect with and guide both young preschoolers (ages 3–5) and early elementary students (Grades K–3).
• Comfort Outdoors: Enthusiasm for all-weather, nature-immersed instruction; ability to walk, hike, and engage comfortably on varied outdoor terrain alongside children.
• Reliability & Flexibility: On-call availability during morning hours for unexpected absences, as well as availability for planned teacher absences.
• Mindset & Approach: Familiarity with or strong interest in Reggio Emilia principles, constructivist approaches, and social-emotional learning.
• Clearances: Ability to pass a background check and complete required state early childhood/elementary training certifications.

Physical Demands & Working Conditions

• Spending extended periods outdoors in all weather conditions (heat, rain, cold).
• Bending, sitting on the floor, and active physical engagement with children across indoor labs and outdoor spaces.
• Travel to different campus locations as assigned.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in a nature based setting

Experience working in a reggio-inspired school setting

About Us

A New Leaf's mission is to bring education back to Earth. Here you are part of something greater than yourself. We playfully and seriously learn, together as a community, about things that are real, meaningful, at times enigmatic, and always powerful! We are licensed by DHS and work in the Reggio way. Together we question and improve the means and goals of education for our youngest learners.