Bookworm Gardens is a vibrant, imaginative outdoor destination that brings children’s literature to life through whimsical garden experiences. Our mission is to inspire a love of books and nature in the young and young at heart, creating memorable moments that spark curiosity and wonder.
We strive to be the premier destination for connecting literature, learning, and the natural world. Guided by our core values—Integrity, Quality, Respect, Creativity, and Stewardship—we are committed to cultivating a welcoming, inclusive space where stories grow, and visitors of all ages can explore, learn, and play.
The role of the Director of Education and Programs will develop and manage the Garden’s programs for youth, adult, and family education. The position includes program development, coordination, scheduling, marketing coordination, budgeting, data management, and program evaluation. S/he will perform in a leadership capacity, collaborating with staff to provide high-quality programming that is mission-driven. S/he will also actively teach on field trips, during classes and workshops, and during events. S/he must perform in a leadership capacity, collaborating with Gardens staff to provide high-quality innovative, mission-based programming and will work to create a safe, accessible, and stimulating environment for all learners.
The successful candidate in this role must also fulfill the duties of preschool director/administrator. S/he is responsible for the day-to-day supervision and leadership of a licensed group childcare program, managing the preschool teachers. This role ensures the developmentally appropriate implementation of curriculum, compliance with licensing regulations (DCF 251), staff training and supervision, and effective communication with families.
The Director of Education and Programs fosters a warm, inclusive environment that supports people’s growth, learning, and well-being. S/he will work collaboratively with staff to create a holistic curriculum for the Gardens and nurture an innovative environment relating to our mission: “to inspire the love of books and nature in the young and young at heart” and Nature Preschool’s focus of using “nature as a catalyst for learning and fostering a sense of wonder through play- and inquiry-based exploration.”
Essential Duties:
- Supervise the Program Specialists including recruitment and selection, job assignments, performance feedback, staff development, and training in keeping with the Garden’s policies and procedures.
- Oversee logistics of scheduling and programming for field trips and field days, volunteers (youth and adult), classes and workshops, Scout programs, Homeschool Days, summer camps, and programs. Actively teach these programs, as appropriate.
· Oversee and manage the Garden’s early Nature School Pre-K program as acting director/administrator. Manage the day-to-day activities including supervision of the planning and implementation of the children’s daily activities, supervision of staff, appropriate maintenance of the Yurt, accurate records of attendance, emergencies, and parent conversations/conferences. Candidate must demonstrate that they meet requirements specified by DCF for Director/Administrator on pages 32-39 https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/files/publications/pdf/4024.pdf
- Supervise the Preschool Teachers, including recruitment and selection, job assignments, performance feedback, staff development, and training in keeping with the Garden’s policies and procedures.
· Establish and follow procedures to maintain licensure following the State of Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. Create a communication plan to keep parents informed utilizing Brightwheel. Ensure curriculum aligns with Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards (WMELS).
- Act as back-up for the Nature School teachers, stepping in to assist, teach, or sub as necessary.
- Create, manage and report on budgets for relevant programs, and plan to meet or exceed program revenue and expense targets. Provide monthly budget updates against the goal to the Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer.
- Function as the data keeper for all education program data. Utilize Altru to ensure the accuracy of registration, invoicing, and reporting for all program areas.
- Perform consistent safety and risk assessments, looking forward to continual ways of improvement.
- Engage in professional interactions with allied institutions, serve on internal and external committees as requested, and attend meetings and conventions, as appropriate.
- Design, implement, and interpret program surveys that capture both behavioral and demographic data for both youth and adult education programs.
- Provide content for marketing purposes, maintain and update programming procedures and policies.
- Work with the Executive Director to support grant proposal writing, preparation and post-award implementation, and reporting.
· Assist with occasional weekend or evening special events as needed (usually 3-5 per season).
Skills and Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
· Bachelor's degree in early childhood education or related field or an associate degree in child development, early childhood education, or education with 5+ years of experience in early childhood programs or a childcare facility
· Candidate must demonstrate that they meet requirements specified by DCF for Director/Administrator on pages 32-39 https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/files/publications/pdf/4024.pdf
· Proven experience in early childhood education, Registry, and YoungStar standards
· Strong understanding of child development theories and best practices
· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to interact with children, parents, and staff
· Leadership Qualities including decision-making, problem solving and conflict resolution
· Demonstrated experience in logistics, budget management, and leading education programming
- Can effectively adapt to change; can shift gears comfortably; is flexible and embraces change with a “can-do” attitude.
- Is self-aware; knows personal strengths and weaknesses; seeks feedback and is open to negative feedback as an opportunity for improvement.
- Follows safety guidelines to ensure a safe working environment and consistently demonstrates safe work behaviors.
· Organizational and time management skills to manage task effectively
· Possess relationship-building skills, strategic thinking abilities, and a passion for fostering engagement.
· Excellent customer service skills and verbal and interpersonal communication skills, both in person, in writing, and over the phone, required
· Must be proficient with Microsoft Office applications and have experience using database systems (Experience with Altru and Brightwheel is a plus)
- Possesses a love of nature and teaching outdoors, passion for plants, gardens, children’s literature, and the natural world Ability and enjoyment of working outdoors with children for several hours a day under all types of weather conditions.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Previous experience as a Director, Assistant Director, Manager, or Lead Instructor at a day care, Montessori School, or nature school program.
- Master’s Degree.
- Background knowledge in nature based and/or play based education. Experience in and knowledge of informal education, science, horticulture, environmental education.
- 6+ years of management experience.
Physical Requirements and Work Environment: The position requires the ability to stand, sit, reach, stoop, kneel, lift, and carry weight up to 50lbs. It also requires work in all outdoor weather conditions. Requires physical activity specifically working with youth programs continually walking outdoors on uneven terrain while teaching. The position requires occasional extended work hours, including evenings and weekends. These requirements are related to the fact that events at Bookworm Gardens incorporate an “all hands-on deck” approach where staff works together to accomplish our revenue goals. Employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.
Job descriptions are guidelines that attempt to characterize essential functions and responsibilities of a job, and are subject to change as needs and programs change. They are considered neither inclusive nor exclusive.
Additional Information
· Manager: Executive Director
· Manages: Preschool Teachers, Program Specialists, Volunteers
· Salary Classification: Full-time year round, salaried
· Salary + Benefits: Salary range for this position is $55,000-$65,000.
Bookworm Gardens’ Mission: To inspire the love of books and nature in the young and young at heart
Bookworm Gardens’ Vision: The premier destination providing whimsical garden experiences by bringing children’s literature to life.
How to apply: Email completed cover letter and resume to [email protected] Applications accepted on a rolling basis and associates are hired as needed.
Bookworm Gardens is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
Pay: $55,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Free parking
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Retirement plan
Education:
Experience:
- Early childhood education: 5 years (Required)
- management: 2 years (Required)
License/Certification:
- Wisconsin Registry certificate (Required)
Work Location: In person
