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Lead Early Years Educator | Reggio Emilia & Nature-Based Learning
Location:
Manglares Discovery School | Cañas, Los Santos, Panama
Start Date: August 10, 2026
Description, Responsibilities, & Duties
The Early Years Teacher is responsible for creating a nurturing, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for children ages 3–6. The teacher will design inquiry-based learning experiences that emerge from children’s interests while supporting social-emotional growth, early literacy and numeracy development, language acquisition, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
The ideal candidate embraces a constructivist approach to learning, values outdoor education, and is comfortable working collaboratively within a small, innovative school community.
Teaching & Learning
- Design and facilitate engaging inquiry-based learning experiences inspired by Reggio Emilia principles.
- Observe, document, and extend children’s thinking through projects, provocations, and intentional teaching.
- Create inviting learning environments that encourage exploration, creativity, collaboration, and independence.
- Integrate literacy, numeracy, science, art, movement, and social-emotional learning into meaningful investigations.
- Support children’s development across cognitive, social, emotional, physical, and language domains.
- Foster a classroom culture of kindness, inclusion, empathy, and respect.
Documentation & Assessment
- Maintain ongoing documentation of children’s learning through photographs, anecdotal records, portfolios, and displays.
- Communicate children’s growth and development effectively with families.
- Participate in progress reporting and student conferences.
- Use observations and assessments to guide instructional decisions.
Family & Community Partnerships
- Build positive, respectful relationships with families.
- Communicate regularly with parents regarding student progress, learning experiences, and classroom activities.
- Participate in school events, exhibitions of learning, conferences, and community celebrations.
Collaboration & Professional Responsibilities
- Collaborate with colleagues in planning, reflection, and school-wide initiatives.
- Participate in professional learning communities and professional development opportunities.
- Contribute to a positive, flexible, and collaborative school culture.
- Support the school’s mission, vision, and values.
Outdoor & Nature-Based Learning
- Facilitate daily outdoor learning experiences.
- Help children develop confidence, responsibility, and environmental stewardship through interactions with the natural world.
- Maintain appropriate safety practices while encouraging healthy risk-taking and exploration.
Minimum Qualifications/Requirements
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Child Development, Psychology, or a related field.
- Minimum two years of experience working with children ages 3–6.
- Strong understanding of child development and play-based learning.
- Excellent classroom management and relationship-building skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
- Ability to work collaboratively within a diverse international community.
- Willingness to participate in outdoor learning in a tropical environment.
Preferred
- Teaching certification or licensure.
- Experience with Reggio Emilia, inquiry-based, project-based, Montessori, Waldorf, International Baccalaureate PYP, or similar progressive educational approaches.
- Experience documenting student learning and creating learning portfolios.
- Experience working in multicultural or international school settings.
- Spanish language proficiency.
- First Aid and CPR certification.
We are looking for someone who:
- Sees children as capable, curious, and competent learners.
- Is reflective, flexible, and growth-oriented.
- Enjoys collaborating with colleagues and families.
- Values creativity, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Is passionate about nature-based and experiential learning.
- Brings warmth, enthusiasm, and a strong sense of professionalism to their work.
- Is excited to contribute to a growing school community and help shape its future
Salary & Benefits
Competitive compensation package commensurate with experience and qualifications. Additional benefits and relocation support may be available for exceptional candidates.
Application Procedures
Interested candidates should submit Resume/CV to hello@manglaresedu.com
We encourage applications from educators who are passionate about progressive education, environmental stewardship, and helping children develop a lifelong love of learning.
Program Description
Manglares Discovery School is a child-centered, inquiry-driven, nature-based international school located near Playa Venao, Panama. Serving students from preschool through middle school, our mission is to cultivate curious, compassionate, capable young people who develop a deep connection to themselves, their community, and the natural world.
Our Early Years program draws inspiration from the Reggio Emilia approach, emphasizing child-led inquiry, project-based learning, documentation of learning, collaboration, creativity, and meaningful relationships. Children spend significant time outdoors exploring our campus, which includes forested areas, gardens, creeks, and open-air learning environments. We view children as capable, competent learners and teachers as researchers, facilitators, and co-constructors of knowledge.
We seek an educator who is excited to help build a dynamic learning community where curiosity, wonder, and belonging are at the center of daily practice.
Contact Info
Aya Osuga, aya@manglaresedu.com