🌿 Careers at Wildwood Academy

Wildwood is where teachers grow.

At Wildwood Academy, we believe teaching is a living, evolving craft. Here, educators are supported, trusted, and inspired to deepen their practice, follow their curiosity, and create meaningful learning experiences alongside their students. This is a place to grow your voice, your purpose, and your impact.

🌱 About Wildwood Academy

Wildwood Academy is a child-centered, nature-inspired school rooted in the Reggio Emilia approach, where children are seen as capable, curious, and full of potential.

  • Small class sizes (10–16 students)

  • Emergent, inquiry-based curriculum guided by student interests

  • Strong emphasis on outdoor learning, play, and creativity

  • Integrated experiences including art, music, dance, jujitsu, gardening, and animal care (including chicks and a red-foot tortoise!)

Our classrooms are dynamic and joyful spaces where students work independently and collaboratively. Teachers guide learning through coaching, small groups, and meaningful one-on-one instruction.

We also incorporate Study Technology to ensure students develop deep understanding and can confidently apply what they learn.

🌼 Open Positions (2026–2027 School Year)

🌿 Sprouts Lead Teacher (Ages 3–4)

Wildwood Academy is seeking a nurturing, imaginative, and deeply present teacher to guide our youngest learners.

This role is for an educator who understands that early childhood is not about rushing into academics—but about protecting wonder, nurturing curiosity, and building a joyful foundation for lifelong learning.

🌼 The Role

  • Lead a mixed-age 3–4 year old classroom

  • Create a warm, safe, and beautiful environment

  • Facilitate a highly play-based, child-led program with little to no traditional academics

  • Guide learning through play, art, music, storytelling, and sensory experiences

  • Design emergent curriculum based on children’s interests

  • Spend significant time outdoors in nature-based exploration

  • Support social-emotional development, independence, and communication

  • Observe and document learning in a Reggio-inspired way

🍃 Who You Are

  • Experience with ages 3–4

  • Educational Qualifications (Early Childhood, Preschool Staff Credentials)

  • Deep belief in play as the primary mode of learning

  • Love for music, art, storytelling, and creativity

  • Joyful, patient, and emotionally attuned

  • Comfortable outdoors and in nature

🌸 Schedule & Compensation

  • Salary: $40,000–$50,000 (based on credentials and experience)

  • Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Student Day: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

  • Benefits: School holidays + 5 sick days

🌿 K/1 Lead Teacher (Kindergarten & First Grade)

We are seeking a thoughtful and skilled teacher to guide a mixed-age classroom of Kindergarten and First Grade students.

This role bridges the beauty of early childhood with the emergence of strong academic foundations.

🌼 The Role

  • Lead a mixed-age K/1 classroom (ages ~5–7)

  • Balance play and structure

  • Teach foundational literacy, writing, and math in meaningful, hands-on ways

  • Use workshop-style instruction, small groups, and one-on-one coaching

  • Integrate Study Technology to support understanding

  • Design and lead four interdisciplinary inquiry units

  • Support imagination, creativity, and academic growth

  • Embrace outdoor learning and project-based work

🍃 Who You Are

  • Credentialed teacher (Early Childhood or Elementary preferred)

  • Experience with Kindergarten and/or First Grade

  • Strong understanding of early literacy and math development

  • Values both play and rigor

  • Curious, reflective, and collaborative

🌸 Schedule & Compensation

  • Salary: $50,000–$60,000

  • Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Student Day: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

  • Benefits: School holidays + 5 sick days

🌿 Teaching Assistant / Apprentice Teacher (Grades 2–5)

We are seeking a passionate and growth-minded educator to join our upper elementary program.

This is a mentored pathway into a Lead Teacher role, designed for someone ready to deepen their craft.

🌼 The Role

  • Support a Lead Teacher in a Grades 2–5 classroom

  • Facilitate small group and one-on-one instruction

  • Learn and implement:

    • Writing Workshop

    • Cognitively Guided Instruction (Math)

    • Reggio-inspired inquiry

    • Study Technology

  • Assist in designing four interdisciplinary inquiry units

  • Participate in outdoor learning and project-based experiences

  • Grow through mentorship and coaching

🌟 Growth Pathway

  • Year 1: Apprentice Teacher ($40,000–$45,000)

  • Year 2: Lead Teacher ($55,000–$60,000)

🍃 Who You Are

  • Credentialed teacher

  • Experience with upper elementary (Grades 3–6)

  • Curious about student thinking and learning

  • Values independence, creativity, and inquiry

  • Eager to grow into a lead role

🌸 Schedule & Compensation

  • Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Student Day: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

  • Benefits: School holidays + 5 sick days

🌿 Why Wildwood?

At Wildwood, teaching is both an art and a practice.

We believe:

  • Children learn best through curiosity and meaningful work

  • Understanding matters more than memorization

  • Play and imagination are essential at every age

  • Teachers are guides, researchers, and co-learners

This is a place to grow your craft, find your purpose, and make a lasting impact.

✨ To Apply

Please send your resume and a brief note about your interest in Wildwood Academy to:
📧 Liza Holtz: liza@wildwoodcw.com