Outdoor Education

• Teaching major program concepts to fifth and sixth-grade students.
• Enforcing safety and discipline standards.
• Counseling students.
• Assisting in supervising and evaluating high school cabin leaders.
• Serving as a link between teachers, cabin leaders, and students.

Ultimately, we wish to provide an environmental education experience that brings about a greater social awareness other students from all cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds and to increase students' knowledge and appreciation of nature.

There is a two week training period during which interns become familiar with the program content and four days of winter staff enrichment. The internship period is a full school year, beginning in September and ending in late May. During the year, a variety of in-services, workshops, and field trips will be held.

Each year, eleven naturalist interns are hired to participate in our program. The application process takes place each spring. The application deadline is mid-April. Please apply early!

The San Mateo Outdoor Education program is dedicated to providing naturalist/teachers with exciting and extensive learning opportunities. The following is a partial list of what interns will be exposed to during the 30-week internship.

Preparation for Teaching

• Lesson planning techniques
• Lesson flow
• Structuring a lesson
• Teaching resources

Student Management

• Choosing activity locations
• Cooperative learning
• Positive discipline
• Refocusing techniques
• Focal center
• Conflict resolution
• Large group management
• Student health and safety 

Program Operation & Analysis

• Site visit
• School visit
• County office visit
• Office duty
• District support
• Program structure
• Outdoor education in California
• Professional organizations

Skill Development

• Peer coaching
• Idea swaps
• Informal idea sharing
• Friday and Monday in-service
• Observe other naturalists
• Two formal hike observations
• Feedback and coaching
• Goal setting
• Resources

Theory and Approach

• Brain research
• Learning modalities
• Affective education
• Cognitive/process
• Student assessment

Leadership & Communication

• Facilitating staff meetings
• Curriculum development
• Program improvement
• Training cabin leaders
• Committee and collaboration
• Staff contract
• Project development
• Team teaching
• In-service leading
• Village Leader
• Classroom teacher meetings

Teaching Strategies

• Name games
• Nooks and grabbers
• Cooperative games
• Concept development
• Sensory activities
• Garden activities
• Guided discovery
• Using the teachable moment
• Teaching with music
• Leading discussions
• Questioning strategies
• Vocal tone
• Building self concept

Natural History

• Redwood ecology
• Wetland ecology
• Pond/riparian ecology
• Ethnobotany mycology
• Invertebrates
• Local vertebrates
  • birds, mammals
  • amphibians, reptiles
• Local geology
• California geography

Other Opportunities

• Storytelling
• Teaching drama, dance, and art
• Singing
• Special needs students
• Local and state environmental issues
• Field trips

There are eleven intern positions open for each academic school year. Applications are due on or by April 10 or until all positions are filled.

During the first weeks, interns receive intensive training to prepare them for teaching environmental education classes on a variety of subjects in numerous settings. In addition to teaching during the daytime, interns participate in evening activities which include campfires, night hikes, and dancing. Staff training is ongoing throughout the year. Duties will include teaching major concepts to fifth and sixth graders enforcing safety and discipline standards, counseling students, and acting as liaison with teachers.

This is an outdoor education center located on 1,000 acres in central California, 12 miles from the coast and at the foot of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Groups of approximately 180 fifth and sixth graders come for a five-day residential environmental education program that utilizes redwood forests, tide pools, ponds, marshes, and other natural areas in the coastal and mountain regions. The California coast provides great opportunities to discover sealife in the tide pools, watch the migration of gray whales, go birding along the Pacific Coast Highway, visit colonies of seals, and explore the coastline.

You must have a strong interest in environmental education as demonstrated by previous teaching experience and/or course work in the natural sciences. You should be flexible, enthusiastic, and enjoy working with kids. Singing or other musical talents are also useful.

To apply, send a resume, cover letter, and the names and phone numbers of three references. Positions fill early. Apply by April 10th for the fall start date.

Starting Date
August 26th, 2024

Location
La Honda, CA.

Compensation
Room and board and a stipend of $640 per week.

Arrangements
Full-time, nine month commitment, eleven positions available.

Deadline
April 10th — Apply early!

Contact
Allison Collins

San Mateo County Office of Education
101 Twin Dolphin Dr.
Redwood City, CA  94065-1064

You can also e-mail Allison Collins, Director, Outdoor Environmental Education with any specific questions about the program or the positions available.