SOP Instructor

Island Wood Overview

Island Wood’s mission is to provide exceptional learning experiences and inspire lifelong environmental and community stewardship. Our innovative outdoor learning experiences foster three main goals:

• Provide a foundation of stewardship for our students through their experience on campus
• Create equitable access to and culturally responsive instruction for all students in science education
• Develop meaningful and sustainable relationships with the community

The Staff Instructor is a seasonal contract, full‑time member of the professional education team for Island Wood. During the school year, the Staff Instructor will support Island Wood’s education programs including the School Overnight Program, Summer Camp, various day programs, Community Education, and Event programs through instruction and support.

Staff Instructor

Full-time/Contract Seasonal (Feb 24, 2026 – Aug 8, 2026)

During the school year:
Monday through Friday, varied schedule between 7:00 am and 9:30 pm.

40 hours per week

$24.00 per hour

Bainbridge Island, WA

• 100% Island Wood paid Medical, or a low employee contribution option offered
• 100% Island Wood paid Dental and Vision option
• HSA with Island Wood contribution (based on qualifying medical plan)
• Life/AD&D, Short and Long‑term Disability Insurance paid by Island Wood
• Voluntary
  
  Employee Benefits:
  
  Life/Hospital/Critical Care Insurance, and Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance program, Flexible spending accounts, and 401k with employer match (after 6 months of employment)
• Variety of Employee Discounts
• Employee Discount for IW Summer Camps

Island Wood offers paid vacation accrued at 5 hours per pay period, 8 hours of floating holiday, 3 annual Island Wood paid holidays applied during the contract period, and 80 hours of paid annual sick leave. All amounts are prorated based on date of hire and length of service.

• Provide high quality, culturally responsive instruction in natural and cultural history, ecology, and stewardship to multi‑cultural elementary‑aged students from diverse backgrounds for School Overnight, Summer Camp, day programs, community education, and events
• Provide program support beyond instruction for School Overnight Program, including curriculum development, community education, model lessons for graduate student instructors, school orientation, supply inventorying/space stewardship, design and implementation of alternative school programming, leading and supporting meals, and evening programs
• Partner with the Garden Manager in the use of the garden as a teaching tool
• Lead schoolyard programming occasionally as needed in partnership with the Urban School Programs team
• Assist registrar with school communications, orientations, and special projects related to impact
• Attend relevant Education Team meetings and/or training as schedule allows
• Develop a professional growth plan for the season
• Assist in the upkeep of program areas such as the gear library, garden, and art studio
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor

• Ability to contribute to a positive culture in a variety of settings including elementary‑age students, graduate students, and Island Wood staff
• Must be able to participate in all key weeks of SOP as designated by Supervisor (busiest months are April and May)
• Must be able to participate in all weeks of Summer Camp (June 29 – Aug 8, 2026)
• Commitment to support Island Wood's work towards justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace
• At least two years of direct teaching experience in formal or non‑formal settings
• Bachelor’s degree in environmental education, education, natural sciences, environmental studies, related field or equivalent experience
• Basic knowledge of natural history and/or desire to increase knowledge of local flora and fauna, and cultural history
• Understanding of and first‑hand experience in multicultural and culturally responsive education
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Lesson planning experience
• Wilderness First Aid and CPR certification (training provided with a fee)
• Demonstrate Island Wood's core values…