We are Barefoot Hearts — a living, free, and democratic educational project nestled in the magical forest of Turís, Valencia. Here, childhood sets the pace. Children aged 3–12 are explorers, inventors, caretakers, and occasional goat whisperers. Instead of textbooks and desks, they have treetops, sandy patches, a run-around track, and an animal sanctuary. Free play is the heart of learning; emotional health is the true foundation; and democracy lives in our daily circles, assemblies, and child-led decisions.

We are searching for a very special Primary Educator / Accompanier to join our small, dedicated team of companions (magicians, emotional guides, and nature lovers) who walk beside the children with attentive presence, trust in their innate capacities, and a whole lot of love.

What we offer

• A full-time role in a heart-centered community that prioritizes joy, freedom, responsibility, and deep connection over conventional academics.
• The chance to accompany children in a sun-dappled forest classroom—shoes optional, smiles mandatory—where permaculture gardens, animal care, child-initiated projects, conflict resolution, and free play shape the day.
• A space to practice non-directive, respectful accompaniment inspired by active pedagogies, conscious parenting, emotional education, and democratic principles (Summerhill-style).
• Being part of shaping the next generation of happy, compassionate humans who care for each other, animals, and the Earth.
• A beautiful, nature-immersed setting with on-site coworking for parents, vegan-organic meals, and a genuine sense of tribe.

Mobile app & daily operations

This role requires daily, confident use of our mobile application. The app is central to how we run the project; you will use it every day for planning, documentation, and communication.

• Weekly chores — Define and update your weekly chores in the app so the whole team knows the plan and can see completion status.
• Educational activities — Plan and prepare the year’s activities in the app: define the set of tasks required before each activity takes place.
• Parent–teacher meetings — Schedule and manage meetings, and keep notes on insights, progress, and follow-up so we can resolve conflicts and support each child.
• Child notes — Record daily notes on each child you work with (especially those assigned to you): emotional observations, interests, and other relevant insights.
• Wildlife encounters — We are in nature and often meet wildlife. In the app you will log these encounters (notes and photos) for our trimestrial dossiers for families.
• Photos & memories — Capture moments of the children in activities and important situations. These are available to parents and feed into the trimestrial dossiers.
• Attendance — Keep an accurate record of each child’s presence so we have a clear, reliable register for the project and for families.
• Your availability — Notify the team via the app if you are sick or will be late so we can cover and prepare.
• Democratic assemblies — As a democratic project, we hold assemblies where children discuss and decide. In the app you will: organise assemblies, take notes on topics and discussions, record law proposals and votes, and help maintain the shared “law book” so teachers and parents know what the children have proposed and voted. This supports our interest analysis and the democratic process.
• Materials & inventory — Manage materials inventory in the app, coordinate future purchases with the team, and track what we have and what we buy.

Schedule, presence & opening/closing

This is a full-time position, Monday–Friday, 9:00–17:00. Reliability is essential: you are one of the first people to welcome the children in the morning and one of the last to be there at the end of the day.

• Opening — Before the children arrive, you open the gates (including access to the parking area), unlock the buildings (coworking, bathrooms, educational spaces, Cantina), and ensure everything is ready and safe.
• Closing — After the children leave, you secure the same spaces and close the gates.
• Communication — If you cannot be there or will be late, you must notify the team as soon as possible so we can adapt.
• Team connection — The time before the children arrive and after they leave is also used for in-person coordination and important conversations with the rest of the team when needed.

Extra events across the year

The teacher will also manage and prepare special events that take place during the year—such as Easter celebrations and the Fallas—including planning, coordination with the team, and preparation so these moments run smoothly and align with the project.

We are looking for someone who

• Has native or very high (near-native) level of English and is fully bilingual in English and Spanish (Castellano).
• Brings experience and deep alignment with conscious parenting, active pedagogies (Montessori influences, neuroscience-informed practices, emotional education, respectful guidance, etc.), and child-led/free/democratic approaches.
• Is genuinely passionate about childhood, feels deep love for children, and thrives in offering warm, empathetic, sensitive presence.
• Understands and embodies non-directive accompaniment: observing, trusting the child's pace, supporting emotional well-being, and facilitating rather than directing.
• Holds a full-time commitment with immediate availability.
• Has their own vehicle (essential for reaching our forest location in Turís).
• Is comfortable and willing to use our mobile application daily for the tasks described above.

If your heart beats faster thinking about accompanying children as they run barefoot through the woods, resolve conflicts in circle, care for our goats, build projects from their own curiosity, and grow in freedom and compassion—this could be your place.

We invite you to be part of something truly alive and different: an educational sanctuary where love, respect, nature, and democracy come first.

To apply or ask questions, please upload your CV in the form below along with a few words about what draws you to democratic, heart-centered education.

We look forward to connecting with someone who feels called to walk this path with us.

With open hearts and bare feet,
The Barefoot Hearts team
https://www.barefoot-hearts.com