Ashley Vandegrift, Grades 5 and 6 Math & Social Studies

Ashley began teaching at Green Woods in 2003, and is currently the 5th and 6th grade math and social studies teacher. Teaching became a second career for Ashley, after many years in the business and consulting world. After graduating from Bucknell University with a degree in Economics, she worked as a management consultant in Philadelphia. During that time, she worked closely with the Environmental Protection Agency, which helped her realize that her love for the outdoors and interest in environmental issues was not just a passing passion. After spending a few years working as an economic consultant, she decided to finally pursue her environmental interests and moved to Boston to get her Masters Degree in Energy and Environmental Analysis. After two years in Boston, she moved back to Philadelphia to work as an energy consultant. Ashley quickly realized that although she was now in the right field, sitting behind a desk could not keep her satisfied for long. After some serious soul-searching (and the addition of a few little ones in her family), it became clear to Ashley that teaching children about the environment was her calling. Ashley went back to school again, this time to get her Masters Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Pennsylvania. Finding Green Woods allowed Ashley to combine her desire to teach with her interests in the environment. Ashley's love for learning has prompted her to pursue numerous educational opportunities: the Governor's Institute for Social Studies focused on the French and Indian War, the Institute on Environmental Economics, Independence National Historic Park and Daily Life & Diversity in 18th Century Phila, and the Penn Museum of Archaeology's King Tut & The Amarna Period. Most recently, Ashley spent six weeks in an Andean town in Peru this summer volunteering with street children. Ashley's students will undoubtedly gain important first hand knowledge from her amazing experience.

Verdant, serene, untamed, unique, alive, bucolic.  Driving down the long stone road never gets old.  Walking to and from the main building is never too far.  I am lucky enough to see something new every day.  What I like most about teaching at Green Woods is that I am part of something bigger.  I am a pioneer discovering the art of learning in a peaceful, untouched landscape.  Where else can your environment become the foundation of your everyday learning?

There are obviously many things that I love about teaching at Green Woods.  I love that the kids treasure where they go to school every day.  I love that I have the freedom to design curriculum based on the kids’ interests.  I love that we use the environment to teach kids about their world.  I am also not just another teacher at another school – I am a member of a unique teaching team whose number one priority is to enhance the lives of children. 

Jean Wallace, Academic Director

As the Academic Director and CEO, Jean is responsible for guiding the design and implementation of our unique K-8 curriculum and for supporting the direction of all areas of school life. Jean works in collaboration with the Board of Trustees and Green Woods' Business Director to build on our successful past toward an even greater future.

Jean is responsible to the Department of Education for ensuring that Green Woods students are receiving a standards-based learning experience within the guidelines and mandates of Federal, State, and Charter School Law. In addition to the many responsibilities associated with curriculum and instruction, Jean supports Green Woods through successful grant writing, ongoing website communication, developing our student voice through the Jr. SLT, and by networking with key partners from within and outside the Green Woods community.

Jean's volunteer efforts as a member of the Governor's Council for Environmental Education provide a rare and exciting opportunity to work with many of the state's environmental experts and agencies. "By working collaboratively with the Department of Education and the many outstanding environmental agencies throughout our state, Green Woods is able to gain both valuable resources along with well-deserved recognition for the exceptional work being done by our teachers and students," Jean said. "Our innovative curriculum design allows us to use environment and ecology as the theme for integrated learning. Receiving the 2007 Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence was proof of our success in delivering a high quality educational program at Green Woods."

In addition to the daily interactions with Green Woods dedicated staff and parents, Jean enjoys those special times when she gets to trail along on hikes with our budding naturalists. "Hiking with even our youngest students and seeing how they interact with the natural world is always an incredible learning experience for me. While many young children enjoy walking in the woods, Green Woods students are skilled observers, able to take in the big picture of the field ecosystem while at the same time patiently exploring the leaf litter in search of the smallest signs of life."

Jean holds a PA Certification for Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction and dual Pennsylvania teacher certifications, which recognize her ability to teach both K-12 Environmental Education and Elementary Education. She holds an Associate Degree in Health Science from Gwynedd Mercy College; a BA in Elementary Education from Beaver College, and a MAEd in Environmental Education from Arcadia University. Jean is currently enrolled in a post-graduate School Leadership Program at Arcadia.

Jean lives in Flourtown with her husband Frank, her mom Mary, her daughter Mary who attends the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State University, and their black lab, Murphy.