Little Learners Staff

 Shelley Smith grew up in Louisiana and went to USM, where she received her Bachelors in Elementary Education. She then worked for 2 years teaching 6th graders in Hattiesburg, MS. Her next adventure began in Baton Rouge when   began to teach kindergarten. In 2009, she earned her Masters in Early Childhood Education from LSU. Shelley has 18 years of teaching experience, but has been working with children for more than 25 years. Her latest teaching experiences began in 2017 when she became a certified Tinkergarten Leader.  

Currently seeking a part-time educator to assist in nature-based classes for children ages 3-10. This position can provide 10-20 hours a week. The educator will assist in planning and facilitating weekly lessons, incorporating large amounts of hands-on outdoor exploration in all types of weather. They will encourage students to ask questions, explore, and lead their own learning.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Fostering a positive learning environment by creating a calm and joyful atmosphere. Encouraging growth towards independence for each child, and assisting children in helping themselves and discovering their individual potential.
Supervise and be responsible for the physical, emotional, and social well-being and safety for all children in the program (12 students/class with ages 3-6 alongside another teacher; or 8 students/class - ages 7-10).
Responsible environmental steward and willing to teach students to be stewards of the Earth.
Collaborate with other teaching staff to establish a cohesive approach to instruction.
Communicate with supervisor and families about children’s progress, needs and concerns.
Enjoys and is comfortable working outdoors in all weather, year-round while attending to children’s needs.
Allow children to resolve own conflicts and recognize when it is appropriate to intervene.
Other tasks performed as requested.

This position is ideal for someone who:
Has experience working with children
Understands child development and educational techniques
Works well with children in a calm and gentle manner
Is nurturing care and patience in addressing the individual needs of each child
Has excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Has the ability to stand, stoop, bend, kneel, pull, push, sit without back support, and lift and carry up to 50 pounds occasionally and 10-35 pounds.
Has reliable transportation.

Send resumes to littlelearnersoutdoors@gmail.com

Erica Hamer is a Nationally Board Certified Teacher that served children in grades K-6 for 16 years. She has a Masters degree in Education from Southeastern and an Educational Specialist degree from LSU with Gifted certification. She has been out of the classroom for the last 6 years pursuing outdoor play with her own two children and preparing to homeschool. At home, she considers a fulfilling day of play to be one where the kids got dirty & messes were made!

Kellie Tortorich is a Louisiana native who graduated from USM with a BFA in Painting and Drawing. While pursuing her bachelor’s degree she also studied painting/drawing, bookmaking, and papermaking abroad in Rome and Cortona, Italy.  After graduating, she received her Master’s degree in Education from William Carey University in Hattiesburg, MS. While living in Mississippi, she taught High-School Art in New Augusta for two years and founded and managed a study abroad program for her students called “Art Makes You Smart” to send them to Europe to study art. She has been out of the classroom for the last 5 years staying at home with her two kids pursuing lots of child-led outdoor play.  Kellie has always had a passion for bringing art into the classroom or, in this case, out of the classroom - especially with young children!