Play hard, with intention!

Cottonwood is a space of curiosity, play, trust, respect, equity, and autonomy. We celebrate the individuality of everyone’s learning journey by creating a mixed-age space with the greater mission to build a community through self-directed learning. We do this through our agile after-school program, adult and organizational programming, community center events, mission-related space rental, and summer camps. We serve and connect two communities: Helena, MT, and Brooklyn, NY.

We strive to create an environment that is positive and attentive to the whole human. By keeping our class size small, we work to empower individual learners to approach their life with agency and broaden their horizons to identify possibilities based on their unique interests and strengths. Learners and staff alike come to Cottonwood because they seek a place where they can thrive.

Learning happens everywhere! We intentionally located our educational spaces in places where our cultural and natural landscapes are as much a part of our classroom as the interior spaces of our buildings. As a result, Cottonwood learners can be found interacting with their community every day and helping to create meaningful engagement and connections.

In Cottonwood Space

Hold space: Act as a model, space-holder, and mentor to learners in a self-directed learning environment and in intentional culture creation. Facilitators need to be grounded in the perspective of trusting children and committed to fostering curiosity and individual empowerment. Facilitators may be asked to lead check-ins, start and end-of-day reflections, and mediation between learners.

Assist and support activities: Observe and assist during full-day programming with other facilitators.

Collaborate: Actively co-create and engage with staff and learners to develop tools and practices that support positive culture creation based on trust, communication, and the practical needs of learners.

Communicate: Have reliable, honest, and open communication with staff, learners, and parents.

Co-ordinate and chaperone: Help in planning and coordinating field trips and/or daily adventures.

Maintain the space: Help in preparing the space for learners and oversee that it is being taken care of by all.

Be prepared and resourceful: Complete orientation training prior to your arrival. Be open and flexible to any shifts that may arise in your time here.

Beyond Learning space
Communicate reminders and updates on Cottonwood activities.

Maintain consistent documentation of the program via photos, videos, etc. and communicate occasionally with parents and staff.

Explore our website to read more about the Cottonwood Community.

Prepare

CV (if you have one)

Are you a fit? Fill out our online application. We are excited to get to know you!