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• Early Childhood Teacher

Description

Wakefield School in The Plains, Virginia, seeks an Early Childhood Teacher for the 2026-2027 academic year. The Early Childhood Teacher is an integral part of the Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools, a community of teachers who embrace the school’s mission and values and help students develop. An Early Childhood Teacher at Wakefield must be passionate about teaching either Junior Kindergarten or Kindergarten students and adept at integrating foundational learning with love and care for our youngest learners. The educator must be knowledgeable, adaptable, resourceful in using a variety of teaching methods, demonstrate an enthusiasm for teaching and learning, and easily collaborate with colleagues. This is a ten-month, full-time position with annual renewal opportunities beginning August 2026.

At Wakefield School, we take pride in fostering an environment where our students are challenged and nurtured. Wakefield strives to ensure an engaging, purposeful, and collaborative experience, allowing students, faculty, and staff to thrive in a deep and imaginative inquiry.

Responsibilities:

• Teach Junior Kindergarten or Kindergarten classes using innovative teaching methods fostering character, curiosity, and academic skills. 
• Provide engaging, fun, and effective instruction that encourages a child’s self-esteem, resilience, and independence through positive guidance and nurturing. 
• Communicate in developmentally appropriate ways through an altruistic approach that clearly communicates that every student can succeed and will benefit from a safe and secure environment.
• Focus on making learning visible through effective student engagement. 
• Establish and maintain positive relationships with parents and effectively communicate to promote partnership in this critical relationship.
• Work collaboratively with other teachers in planning and implementing age-appropriate activities.
• Attend scheduled faculty/division/department meetings.
• Participate in professional development.
• Perform additional faculty duties assigned, including, but not limited to, supervising students during carpool, lunch, advisory, recess, and so forth.

Requirements

Qualifications and Experience:

• A bachelor’s degree in education or a related field is required.
• Preferred experience includes having worked in an independent school environment and training in the Orton-Gillingham approach or other foundational phonics training. 
• An ability to meet the needs of students of various ages and learning needs through differentiated instruction.
• Creativity in lesson design that balances content, skill, and student self-direction through the use of a variety of instructional methods.
• Appreciation for and understanding of school-aged children, demonstrating a loving and nurturing temperament.
• Excellent classroom management skills that promote a positive classroom environment.
• Familiarity with technology or ability and desire to learn about technology for lesson design, lesson implementation, and recording student progress.
• An ability to communicate clearly and with appropriate empathy to students, parents, and colleagues.
• Collaborative spirit when working with colleagues within the same department, across grade levels, and within the same grade level across departments.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Embraces the school’s mission and seeks to help students develop in all aspects.

 Compensation and Benefits:

• Commensurate with experience and education
• Comprehensive benefits package available

 About Wakefield School:

Established in 1972, Wakefield School is a private independent college-preparatory day school for students in Junior Kindergarten through grade 12 engaging in a rigorous and inspiring liberal arts curriculum. We believe the greatest challenge in education is preparing people to thrive in a world that is rapidly evolving. Yet certain fundamental skills will always be necessary for the successful and joyful pursuit of lifelong learning: acting ethically, thinking critically, and communicating effectively. It is to the development of these timeless qualities that Wakefield School’s mission is dedicated. The mission of Wakefield School is to foster the character, curiosity, and clear voices the world needs. Located on a 63-acre campus in the picturesque village of The Plains, Virginia, Wakefield serves nearly 400 students from our surrounding area.

Wakefield School is an equal opportunity employer. We shall not discriminate and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, or for any other discriminatory reason.

Interested candidates should submit their letters of interest and resume electronically to [email protected]. Please reference “Early Childhood Teacher” as the position of interest. No calls or visits, please.

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