Elementary School Teacher

Second Nature School

Elementary Teacher Job Description

Position Title: Elementary Teacher

Reports To: Principal / Vice Principal / Executive Director Location: Second Nature School Kemptville Campus Employment Type: Full-Time

About Second Nature School

Second Nature School is a private therapeutic nature-based and neuro-affirming educational program designed to support the whole child. Rooted in attachment theory trauma-informed practice and relationship-based learning Second Nature blends Ontario curriculum expectations with experiential inquiry-driven and outdoor education.

Our school prioritizes emotional safety individualized learning family collaboration and community connection. Classrooms are intentionally small flexible and supported by interdisciplinary professionals including psychotherapists occupational therapists behaviour specialists and therapeutic educators.

Position Overview

The Elementary Teacher at Second Nature School is responsible for delivering individualized curriculum- aligned programming that supports academic social-emotional and functional development. Teachers serve as therapeutic educators who create safe engaging and responsive learning environments tailored to diverse neurodevelopmental profiles.

This role requires creativity flexibility emotional intelligence and a deep commitment to neuro-affirming and strength-based education.

Key Responsibilities

Instruction & Curriculum Delivery

• Design and implement Ontario curriculum-aligned programming adapted to student developmental levels and learning profiles
• Develop individualized learning plans and differentiated instructional pathways
• Deliver experiential nature-based and inquiry-driven learning opportunities
• Integrate social-emotional learning and executive functioning supports into daily instruction
• Facilitate literacy numeracy and cross-curricular learning using multi-sensory approaches
• Adapt programming to meet therapeutic goals in collaboration with clinical staff

• Foster secure attachment-based relationships with students
• Implement trauma-informed and neuro-affirming behavioural supports
• Support emotional regulation co-regulation and self-advocacy skills
• Monitor student progress and adjust learning supports accordingly
• Collaborate with clinical team members to support student therapeutic goals
• Maintain student dignity and uphold strengths-based language and practices

• Contribute to curriculum development aligned with the Second Nature educational philosophy
• Complete student progress documentation learning summaries and report cards
• Maintain daily communication logs and individualized program planning records
• Participate in case conferences and interdisciplinary team meetings
• Track accommodations and modifications for each learner

• Maintain consistent collaborative communication with families
• Participate in family meetings and support goal development
• Provide education and guidance to caregivers regarding learning and regulation strategies
• Build community partnerships that support experiential learning opportunities

• Create calm sensory-informed aesthetically supportive classroom environments
• Support safe outdoor and experiential learning programming
• Maintain classroom routines that support predictability and emotional safety
• Supervise students during outdoor learning field experiences and community outings
• Support classroom assistants and therapeutic support staff through modelling and mentorship

• Participate in ongoing professional development related to neurodiversity trauma-informed care and therapeutic education
• Uphold Second Nature policies ethical standards and professional expectations
• Contribute to school initiatives program innovation and community engagement
• Maintain compliance with licensing health and safety and privacy standards

Required

• Ontario Certified Teacher (OCT) in good standing OR equivalent educational certification
• Bachelor of Education or equivalent teaching degree
• Experience working with neurodivergent learners and diverse learning needs
• Knowledge of Ontario curriculum and differentiated instruction strategies
• Strong interpersonal organizational and communication skills

• Additional qualifications in Special Education Early Years or Outdoor Education
• Training in trauma-informed practice attachment theory or therapeutic educational models
• Experience working in alternative education therapeutic programs or small classroom settings
• Familiarity with executive functioning supports sensory integration strategies and emotional regulation frameworks
• Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary clinical teams

Second Nature Elementary Teachers demonstrate:

• Compassionate and relationship-centred practice
• Flexibility and creative problem-solving
• Strong emotional regulation and reflective practice skills
• Collaborative teamwork and leadership abilities
• Commitment to inclusion diversity and neuro-affirming education
• Passion for experiential and nature-based learning

• Ability to participate in outdoor learning in varying weather conditions
• Ability to support active student supervision and engagement
• Capacity to assist with student regulation and classroom transitions

Second Nature offers an innovative supportive and mission-driven work environment where educators collaborate with clinicians families and community partners to redefine education and therapeutic support for children and youth. All Second Nature employees and independent contractors receive a comprehensive benefits package and benefit from an inclusive workplace culture.

If you are passionate about inclusive education relationship-based learning and creating meaningful change for children and families we invite you to join our growing team. Please submit your cover letter and resume via ApplyToEducation. Alternatively you may email your cover letter and resume to