Teach in nature. Lead your own program.

An independent partner, not an employee

A Salty Sunflower Educator is an independent 1099 contractor who designs and leads nature-based classes, workshops, or programs for children and families. You operate your own offering under the Salty Sunflower umbrella while keeping full creative and instructional control, building your own program within a shared ecosystem.

What you can teach

We welcome educators with a wide range of backgrounds, including:

• Nature-based early childhood education
• Outdoor exploration and adventure learning
• Surfing, movement, or water-based programs (for qualified instructors)
• Science, ecology, and environmental education
• Art, storytelling, and creative nature immersion
• Social-emotional learning in outdoor environments
• Forest school and play-based learning models

If your work connects children and families to nature, we want to hear from you.

A simple 4-step process

What Salty Sunflower offers educators

• A platform to host and grow your programs
• Brand visibility within a trusted nature education community
• Parent and family outreach support
• A simple onboarding and contracting system
• Insurance structure guidance (once finalized)
• Optional collaboration with other educators

We're building a network, not a hierarchy.

Educators we're looking for

• Grounded in child safety and emotional attunement
• Comfortable leading outdoor learning environments
• Self-directed and organized
• Aligned with nature-based or play-based education
• Excited to build something independently within a shared ecosystem

You don't need a traditional teaching credential, but experience working with children is essential.

This is for educators who want

• Freedom in how they teach
• Flexible scheduling
• Creative ownership of their programs
• A nature-centered teaching life
• A platform to grow their own educational offerings

This is not for educators seeking a traditional classroom job structure.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to already have a program?

No. You can apply with an idea, we'll help you refine it.

Is this a job or employment?

No. Educators are independent 1099 contractors. Reach out through our contact form or schedule a call, and we'll walk you through next steps.

Where do classes take place?

Outdoor, nature-based locations in approved areas.

How are educators selected?

We review applications based on experience working with children, alignment with nature-based and play-based learning, safety judgment and responsibility, ability to design and lead independent programming, and overall fit with our philosophy. Not every applicant is accepted, especially during this initial launch phase.

Can I teach if I'm just starting out?

Yes, but we prioritize readiness. If you're newer, we may recommend starting with co-led sessions, shadowing opportunities (if available), or smaller pilot programs before expanding. We're building for safety and quality first, not volume.

What is your expected pay or pricing model?

We ask educators to share their preferred pricing structure during the application process, hourly, per-session, or program-based, depending on your teaching style. We're still building our educator model, and this information helps shape fair, sustainable program structures.

Can I bring my own teaching style?

Yes. You design your own program within our safety guidelines.

What are the minimum requirements to teach with Salty Sunflower?

Experience working with children, formal or informal, and strong comfort leading groups outdoors. We look for people who are confident supervising kids in natural settings, hold group safety and awareness, are emotionally attuned and developmentally appropriate, and are comfortable working independently as a contractor. Formal teaching credentials aren't required, but relevant experience is essential.

Do I need certifications or credentials?

Not necessarily, though depending on your program type we may require or strongly recommend CPR/First Aid certification, relevant outdoor or safety certifications, and background clearance (required for all educators working with children). We weigh experience, judgment, and alignment more than formal titles.

Is there an age requirement for educators?

Yes, educators must be at least 18. Certain programs, such as water-based or higher-risk activities, may require additional experience or qualifications beyond the age minimum.

Do I need my own insurance?

At this time, Salty Sunflower provides the primary program liability structure once active, though educators may need supplemental liability coverage depending on program type. We'll clarify requirements during onboarding.