Nursery Teacher, Ages 2.9- 3 (Maternity Leave Replacement)

August 25, 2025 through January 9, 2025

The Nest at Wheeler is a premier nature-based preschool, located at the Wheeler Farm in Seekonk, Massachusetts. The program welcomes students from 2.9 to 5 years old. At The Nest, our mission is to provide an early childhood education that meets the developmental needs of each child through joyful, hands-on, experiential learning in the natural world. Our nature-based curriculum integrates academics and social-emotional skills and inspires a love of learning and connection to the natural world. 

We encourage children to take an active role in their school experience and we strive to nurture each child’s intrinsic sense of creativity, curiosity, adventure, and wonder. Our teaching is grounded in learning that emerges from children’s interests and is based on their skills and needs. Through time spent outdoors immersed in nature, as well as through group and instructional time indoors, we provide effective and meaningful learning for children. 

The full-time early childhood teacher is a highly qualified educator. The teacher will support, teach, and guide a small group of young children through all activities of the day alongside a skilled co-teacher. The teaching team is committed to collaboratively leading lessons and guiding children in the indoor and outdoor classrooms, carrying out both emergent and planned curricula. Nature-based learning experiences are springboards for the integrated curriculum and, therefore, students spend most of the day outside in all but hazardous weather conditions. 

The early childhood teacher reports directly to the Director of The Nest. There may be an opportunity for this position to extend beyond the current academic year. 

Responsibilities:

• Lead daily lessons, morning meeting times and outdoor activities
• Support students as they construct learning, both socially and academically
• Construct curriculum based on student interests with consideration to age and developmental stages
• Implement nature-based curriculum in partnership with a co-teacher
• Partner with the co-teacher to integrate nature experiences with academic learning outcomes
• Regularly report student progress to the Director and seek input from special providers when necessary
• Lead parent/teacher conferences and other meetings with families related to social/emotional and academic progress
• Develop and maintain systems for fostering home and school relationships
• Commit to ongoing professional development related to nature-based education
• Support students in their age appropriate understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion 
• Create a joyful learning environment for students

Qualifications:

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in education or related field. 
• Several years of teaching experience. 
• Nature-based Early Childhood certification preferred or willingness to earn certification. 
• The candidate must demonstrate understanding of the developmental needs of young children
• Experience in place-based education, nature and/or environmental education, and/or the arts. 
• First aid and CPR certification or willingness to earn certification required. 

This position requires the ability to work with a small team (the administrators and other teachers) during an inaugural year of unique programming. The ideal candidate enjoys interacting with young children and is a hard-working, enthusiastic and confident learner willing to add to the vibrant and dynamic environment of The Nest. 

The early childhood teacher is a self-motivated and directed individual who thrives through productive collaboration. The ideal teacher possesses excellent organizational, communication, and teaching skills, both with the children, families, and with other teachers. Effective and compassionate listening and speaking skills are apparent with both children and adults. They possess the flexibility to operate independently and as part of a team; have an engaging personality; and a genuine interest in working with families. 

Statement on Diversity and Cultural Competency 

At The Nest at Wheeler we actively seek students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds in the belief that a broad range of experiences and viewpoints enhance learning, enrich life on campus, and better prepare us all for full participation in a pluralistic, democratic society. We seek to further the overall diversity and cultural competency within our community through hiring.

How to Apply 

Please send a resume and cover letter to Michelle Dolan, Director of The Nest at michelledolan@wheelerschool.org and cc careers@wheelerschool.org. List the position title in the subject heading. Applications will be accepted through the end of May. 

The Wheeler School is committed to our policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or disability, and any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.  

About The Wheeler School

The Wheeler School is a Nursery through Grade 12 co-ed independent day school founded in 1889 in Providence, Rhode Island located on College Hill on the East Side of Providence. Wheeler is comprised of four divisions, Lower School (N-5), Middle School (6-8), Upper School (9-12), and Hamilton School (1-8), the latter a special school- within-a-school for students with learning differences. We are a vibrant, joyous family with exceptional Fine and Performing Arts, Athletics for grades 6-12, Summer Programs open to the public, and numerous curricular and co-curricular choices for our students. Our programs are creative, innovative, and challenging.

Connections working at The Wheeler School