Where passion meets practice
Deepen your play-based approach & gain
designation as a Wunderled Educator
Your passion counts for more than you think it does. In fact, it’s the foundation of everything
The path to becoming a play-based educator is anything but clear.
You've waded through mountains of information, countless ideas, resistance from your peers and academic pushdown.
You've tried so many things in your classroom. Some of them worked… many have not.
Through it all, new possibilities have emerged. You've seen what's possible with a play-first approach - and you're hungry to go deeper.
From here, deepening your expertise as a play-based practitioner offers you two paths:
01
SHRINKING
- Keep piecing together information from dozens of blogs, courses and workshops.
- Listen to other experts, diligently follow their advice and try to do it all the "right" way.
- Tolerate the frustration of academic pushdown and a lack of understanding from your peers.
- Try to "make do" and settle for what little support and resources you are given.
- Lose sight of yourself and why you started, as your confidence to make change shrinks with each passing year.
02
FLOURISHING
- Steady yourself by turning inward, toward the truth of who you are and what it means for your work.
- Become adept at discovering and amplifying wonder, in any circumstance.
- Develop your personal pedagogy for play - one that gives structure to your work and ensures progress is visible to others.
- Grow into a confident, effective advocate for your needs and the children in your care.
- Blaze a new path of possibility for yourself, your students, and your community.
Most educators will walk down the "shrinking" path until they reach a dead end, unaware that there is another option available to them. We developed the Wunderled Certification to help you walk your "flourishing" path. We provide the map, and the fuel is your passion.
Along the way, you'll discover an entirely new kind of confidence… the kind that will propel your skillset and professional path forward in a radical new direction.
So if you have a sense that the next step in your journey involves less lesson ideas and more of a deep grounding in who you are and why you do this work, keep reading. The Wunderled Certification may be the perfect next step for you.
Transform your passion into a
powerful vehicle for change.
Working with children is not just what you do. It's who you are.
But it's so easy to forget this when you're faced with the day-to-day realities of teaching. So you lose the spark that set you on this journey to begin with.
Working with children no longer feels exciting. It feels heavy and heartbreakingly complicated by forces outside of your control.
The solution? Don't push back (and definitely don't settle).
Fire up your passion and take back your power instead.
Returning to your passion and your beliefs will ignite new possibilities for your work. It will be your personal compass for wonder and engaging with students at a level you never thought possible.
"This is a compelling quote from the video below"
"This is a compelling quote from the video below"
It takes just 5 minutes to apply
and there is no obligation to enroll.
The Wunderled™ Certification is
a program unlike any other.
It's deeper than an online course, and far more interactive than a workshop.
You'll spend 12 months digging deep into who you are as an educator, and the unique perspectives and skills that you will use to infuse your work with wonder at every turn.
The educators who take the Wunderled Certification emerge from this process feeling more energized, passionate and clear about their teaching path.
They walk away with a sharper perspective on who they need to be in order to succeed and ensure their students thrive.
They develop the skills, confidence and assertiveness to stand firmly in their beliefs and advocate for the importance of play.
They advance their career. Build powerful new relationships. Discover the power of real community.
And, together,
they change the face
of early childhood education.
“The spark that was hiding in the dark is now a giant bonfire.”
I had found myself questioning who I was as a teacher. I had lost what was truly “me” — and I didn’t know if I could make it back to the teacher I was before. But this has been a journey beyond what I could have imagined. The Wunderled Certification helps you peel away all the layers of what you think is important, see the inner core, and find the passion to rebuild each of those layers with strength, purpose and commitment. My passion now has much deeper meaning and value to me. It’s fierce and powerful now. The spark that was hiding in the dark is now a giant bonfire. I’ve learned how to put my rambling thoughts into substantial words. I am no longer scared to say what I believe is right and just. I feel peace and resolve. I am braver, confident, and more empowered in what I do each day with my students. This is the best thing I have done for myself in a long time.
ADRIENNE WOLF
What does it mean to be certified in The Wunderled™ Approach?
The Wunderled Approach Certification is a 12-month program that guides you on a journey through the Wunderled Approach. Much more than a training program, it is a deep-dive into the heart of your authentic teaching self.
The Wunderled Certification will dramatically accelerate your personal and professional growth as an early childhood educator. Expect to unearth new insights that will influence your practice in profound and exciting ways.
Wunderled™ Certification offers you:
01
Mastery
Certification provides independent verification of your expertise in the Wunderled Approach. It is our endorsement of your capabilities, and a credential that you carry with you throughout your career to indicate that you have specific skills and knowledge.
In this case, you will gain a high-level knowledge of play-based, intentional education - and a framework for piecing it together into a practice that makes sense for your unique setting.
02
A Credential
The certification trains you in the common body of knowledge of the Wunderled Approach. Being certified earns you an official designation as a Wunderled Educator with the Fairy Dust Teaching name and reputation
behind it.
Our training is designed to help you achieve mastery of the Wunderled approach to teaching. As such, this important credential indicates your expertise to employers and/or clients, and enhances your professional profile.
03
Clear Direction
Certification will unlock new possibilities for your work, both immediately and in the years to come. From Day 1, our goal is to help you make room for creativity and spontaneity, with just the right amount of structure to help you stay on track.
More than a robust framework for Wonder, this is a certification that will give you a new lens for solving problems and generating solutions throughout the rest of your career.
04
A New Lens
Certification will bring new energy to your work, your life, and how you spend your time - both in and out of the classroom. It's the reason why so many educators say that Wunderled didn't just shift their work; it changed their life.
Our mission inside Wunderled Certification is to uplift you - the whole teacher and person - and give you the structure, support and skill set you need to cultivate a career that enables you to thrive, every bit as much as your students.
You will finish this program with a deep understanding of your own teaching perspectives on a level that gives you confidence in your ability and expertise as an educator, and peace about your decision to lead your teaching practice with wonder and heart.
We retain our students' portfolios with all work on file to demonstrate and validate the robust nature of the certification process. Keep scrolling to discover how your experience will unfold with us over the next 12 months.
“Empowered. Encouraged. And ready for the year ahead.”
When I heard about Wunderled Certification, I was looking for sources to help me become an advocate for children’s right to play. I had already started gaining trust with my employer, colleagues and parents, and I needed to know more to keep growing as a professional. I was concerned about time and whether I could keep up because English is not my first language. But the material is well-prepared. I was provided with personalized support. And the monthly meetings were amazing opportunities to learn from the community and keep up with our tasks for the month. I believe I gained years of teaching experience from this program. I have developed a personal pedagogy that has helped me make my teaching student-friendly and experiential. Finally, the activities in the program that asked us to think, receive and give feedback have given me the insight I need to feel encouraged in my professional role. I feel empowered and ready for the year ahead. This is a life-changing program.
FONTEINI KARAGRIGORI
A truly supportive & engaging learning experience (not just more "work" on your plate)
Along your journey you will have light assignments and projects. We have carefully organized this journey to provide you with clear insights, knowledge, and skills - yet still be manageable with your busy schedule.
If accepted into the program, you will gain access to the private certification platform, and you will also receive a mentor, access to the Wunderled Coaching team, the support of a small group and more, all throughout your year-long participation in the program.
YOUR Wunderled™ Certification EXPERIENCE INCLUDES:
01
The Wunderled Certification Hub
This is the vibrant, private space you'll use to access all of the program materials for The Wunderled Approach Certification. Everything is clearly organized, with overviews, takeaways, and reflective guides to support each learning module.
The hub is also where you'll access all of the call replays and interact with the Wunderled Certification community between meetings. It's a space you'll love spending time in.
02
Facilitated
Calls
We hold calls once per month on a Sunday (with an alternate time available for international students). These calls are led by our Founder, Sally Haughey, and facilitated by Nicole Hill (our Certification Coordinator).
Don't expect a boring lecture! Expect rich conversations and reflections with your peers about the topic for the month. These community calls are an invaluable part of certification, unique to the Wunderled Approach.
03
Breakout Conversations
Another powerful component of The Wunderled Certification are our monthly breakout sessions. During facilitated calls, we will invite you to discuss the topic of the month in a guided conversation with a handful of your peers.
Past students often report that these conversations were one of the most powerful parts of their certification experience. Together you will discuss shared experiences, swap ideas, and build a robust support system you'll carry with you long after you become certified.
04
Your Personal Passion Project
Each month comes with a light assignment and reflection that can typically be completed in 60 minutes or less. With each reflection, you will gain clarity and build confidence in your own ideas - and how you want to bring them to life in your work.
Your certification experience culminates with your very own Passion Project. This is not an academic assignment or essay. It is a powerful expression (a stake in the ground!) of your personal approach to education that you will uncover during your time with us.
“Relaxed and comfortable… I am now teaching for the child who needs a great teacher.”
Before the Wunderled Certification, I didn’t have the confidence in my teaching strategies that I needed to stand up for myself and my students. I was concerned about time and what would happen if I fell behind. But it was completely tailored to match your personal experience. This journey has helped me understand who I am, how I got here, and how to accept the person I have become. I have gained confidence in my teaching style, which has helped me be more relaxed and comfortable around my students. Most of all, I am now teaching for the child I was, who needed a great teacher. This program has been a blessing and a great opportunity. If you’re thinking about it, go for it.
PAIGE MONTAGUE
Your Wunderled Certification
looks great on paper…
but the real magic happens
when you put it into practice.
Instead of hearing it from us, we thought we'd share some stories from a few of the 500+ educators who have already been certified in The Wunderled Approach.
You'll notice it when you enter the program and instantly feel more energized and supported.
Or when you're able to roll with the punches more easily in the classroom - and stop doubting yourself after a hard day.
When you speak to parents with conviction and earn their trust, in the face of academic pushdown and requests for more homework.
You'll see it when others start noticing what you're doing, and responding to your stories about what's happening in your classroom.
Your work will get recognized more readily, and your contribution acknowledged more frequently.
And, above all, you will walk into work each day knowing that you have the energy, skillset and conviction to do the work you are uniquely called to do.
"This is a compelling quote from the video below"
"This is a compelling quote from the video below"
And we'll be right here with you, every step of the way.
Meet your Wunderled Certification Leadership & Support Team:
Sally Haughey
Founder of Fairy Dust Teaching & The Wunderled Approach
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Nicole Hill
Wunderled Certification Program Coordinator
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Abbey Haughey
Chief Operations Officer
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Lisa Hodges
TITLE GOES HERE
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Lisa Hodges
Certification Customer Support
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You'll get to know our leadership and support team very well during your time inside Wunderled Certification.
We can't wait to meet you - and we're just as excited for you to connect with the amazing cohort of educators who will be taking this program right alongside you!
“This has made a huge difference in how students think, observe and communicate with me.”
I had worked in classrooms for years and could not seem to explain what I really felt was true to others around me. Then I moved into a position where I became a trainer. I craved to find others who were like-minded so that I could learn more and be able to share information with other early educators as I trained and mentored them. When I found this program, I felt like I was home. I found a group of people who were looking for something, just like me. I have learned more about who I am and what I want to see for all children. I have walked away with more knowledge of how wonder emerges in children and how I show up in that process. I am more present with children and families, as I “wonder” with them about their child’s learning. Even as someone who likes to control things, I have learned to really step back and let children take the lead. It has made a huge difference in how students think, observe and communicate with me. Sally and the team really make this experience unique. I never felt that anything I was doing was wrong, but was given the support to really reflect on what I was doing and whether it worked for me. This was an amazing experience that I did not want to end!
STACIE DUBLIN
You might be Wunder-ing…
What kind of educators choose
Wunderled Certification as their next step?
The Learner
You have an innate drive to become a master in what you do. You consider yourself to be a lifelong researcher, always on the lookout for the latest insight or know-how that will strengthen your work.
You want to build a deep level of confidence in your skillset, and turn everything you have learned (and experienced) so far into a framework that will help you approach your work with total confidence.
The Seeker
You have a strong inner compass that you (sometimes) lose sight of. You desire to lead from the heart and tap into your truest self - because this work isn't just what you do, it's who you are.
You want to work from a place of passion and inner truth, instead of following someone else's rules. It's time to shine a light on your own ideas, so you can help your students do the same.
The Trail-Blazer
You've been teaching through wonder and "play" before you knew it was even a thing. Giving children space to explore feels natural and intuitive to you, but others may not understand what you're doing or why.
While you're already marching to the beat of your own drum, you want to bring more organization, structure and scientific grounding to your approach (and fill in any gaps) so you can rally others around your approach and create waves of change.
The Connector
You're energized by creating connections and bringing people together. Being immersed in new ideas and sharing experiences with like-minded people gives you the fuel you need to show up for what matters to you.
If you are feeling lonely, unseen or that you're the only one who sees the world like you do...it's time to meet your new community of educators and build a robust circle of support - the kind that sees you, uplifts you, and stands with you.
IF ANYTHING YOU'VE READ SO FAR RESONATES, YOU ARE READY.
There is no pre-requisite level of experience or qualification required to take The Wunderled Certification, because it's never too early or too late to tap into the truth of who you are.
If you have the passion and the desire to bring wonder to the children in your care, in the way that only you can, we invite you to apply.
"I want everyone on my team to take this certification."
Sometimes, we lose sight of what we know in our hearts to be right for the children in our classrooms. It was an honor to be part of this world-wide group of educators. After every call I walked away feeling inspired and uplifted. The ability to share and gather knowledge, wins and struggles from like-minded educators was invaluable.
Wunderled Certification has helped me focus on me: what my inner teacher/student is, was, and what they need. The self-reflection is huge. I have always had a hard time with confidence as a teacher - but now I feel myself speaking with parents and my reaching team with more confidence and conviction.
This certification has been a source of strength for me. I know now in my heart that this work is my passion and mission in life. I want everyone on my team to take this certification! It has been an amazing journey.
LYNNE GUITERREZ
This is your path to become a skilled connector, a confident communicator, and a champion of Wonder & Play
Your transformation begins right away. During our 12 months together, you will develop the insight, perspective and skills you need to confidently navigate:
01
YOUR PERSONAL PATH
It's time to honor your individuality and bring your strengths to the forefront of everything you do. The Wunderled Certification provides a scaffold to help you rediscover and grow your passion - so you can teach with warmth, wonder, and a depth of personal awareness that sets exceptional educators apart.
02
THE CHILD'S PATH
Each child is on a unique path of learning and growth, underpinned by universal stages of development. You will learn how to create developmentally-appropriate learning experiences that are underpinned by wonder, in a way that prioritizes the diverse needs and interests of each child in your care.
03
BRINGING THEM TOGETHER WITH WONDER
Build mastery in the Wunderled Pedagogy: a broad set of knowledge and capacities that every educator needs to work successfully with children, families and colleagues. With this skill set, you will be able to bring together your personal path with the path of the child, with truly remarkable results.
"This is a compelling quote from the video below"
"This is a compelling quote from the video below"
If you are seeking a level of self-trust on your professional path that you know
can only come from owning exactly who you are as an educator, it's time.
tuition & fees
Applications for the next Wunderled Certification cohort are open now, and there's never been a better time to join us.
We have 3 payment options available for you to choose from:
Pay in Full
$997
One-time payment
2 Part-Payments
$499
2 monthly payments
10 Part-Payments
$99.70
10 monthly payments
Tuition is all-inclusive and grants access to the full certification program.
Spaces are limited and will not open again for another 12 months.
It takes just 5 minutes to apply
and there is no obligation to enroll.
If your application is successful, we will invite you to make your enrollment official by completing your first payment, due within 15 days of your acceptance into the program.
Credit card, check or school purchase orders are all acceptable methods of payment. If you need to pay with a Purchase Order, you will not be granted access until the Purchase Order has been paid in full.
We have limited scholarships at this time. Please email us for more details.
Are you a current member of
The Wonder League?
(Save up to $500)
Current members pay only $497 to join Wunderled Certification (almost a 50% savings).
Please note on your application if you are an active member of The Wonder League to be eligible for this special rate.
(You must maintain your membership of The Wonder League for the duration of the certification program in order to keep special tuition.)
Your passion, in action. Apply now to
begin your Wunderled Certification
journey today:
Applying is easy and does not obligate you in any way
to join the program. It takes less than 5 minutes to apply.
HERE'S HOW TO BEGIN YOUR APPLICATION:
Click the "Start Your Application" button below. You'll be taken to a new page to answer a few questions to help us (and you!) identify if Wunderled Certification is a good fit for you.
Sit tight! We will review your application within 2 business days and respond via email to let you know if you have been accepted into the program.
Make it official. If accepted, we'll let you know the next steps to formally enroll in Wunderled Certification in time for our first community call on {DATE, MONTH, 2022!} (We also offer an alternative call time for international students to attend.)
“Rejuvenated… a life-changing journey that came at just the right time.”
"This program has left me feeling rejuvenated after a very hard year in the public school system. I was actually thinking about leaving the school system, but children with special needs have my heart and they and their families need a strong advocate for them — and I am now confident in my ability to keep working with these amazing young children and their families. I have taken other programs to learn “more”, but this certification with other professionals from around the world brought the learning to life. Reading books and research is great and important, but the interaction with others in the certification solidified all the learning, and it made this program unique and special. I was heard, supported and acknowledged and my confidence grew exponentially. I'm now able to explicitly and professionally define and defend my use of play-based learning to administrators and colleagues, and I am listened to with respect as I have confidence in my ability to discuss what's right for children's learning and growth. My colleagues are asking me how I know so much about play-based learning and early childhood, and I tell them this about this program. This has been a life-changing journey that came at just the right time for me. The experience was beyond amazing."
MARNA KUMPALA
The Wunderled Promise:
We give you the skills and insight you need to
stand confidently in your unique approach to childhood
education, no matter where you are.
We take this commitment to you seriously, and we've carefully designed the Wunderled Certification to ensure you have the support you need to succeed. We have designed the program to include several checkpoints and multiple opportunities for you to access support and mentorship.
All of this is underpinned by 3 core values of The Wunderled Approach:
Diversity, in every sense: Above all, The Wunderled Certification is a safe space where every educator's experience, background and ideas are honored. Your difference is your strength and we actively support teachers from different cultures and orientations in bringing their ideas to the table.
Shame-Free Zone: Everyone starts somewhere and we are here to support each other and lift each other up. It doesn't matter whether you've been at this for 3 weeks or 3 decades. You are here for a reason and we are here for you. Everyone has value to bring to this space and we take this very seriously.
Commitment: So that we can maximize our support for you, we have limited spots available in each yearly cohort. Being accepted into The Wunderled Certification means that someone else was turned away. If you are accepted into the program, please be clear on your commitment before you confirm your place and enroll.
If you're on board with these values, it's likely you're a great fit for the Wunderled Approach - and we invite you to apply!
“I feel confident, assured and knowledgeable.”
"I used to underestimate my place and power as an early childhood educator. I questioned and doubted my choices as a teacher and leader. Academic pushdown made me feel that I wasn’t doing enough or that I even mattered. Was I making the right decisions? Was choosing play best? I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect when I joined The Wunderled Certification, but I knew I wanted to keep developing my craft. I believe that to be a good educator I need to keep learning, so that my students can too. Today, I feel confident, assured and knowledgeable. I have refined my teaching practice, which in turn has helped my students. I see now that I do have value. I stand my ground. And I am no longer alone. If you want to reflect on your teaching, parenting or leadership — and hone your skills as a teacher while getting a clear vision of who you are as an educator, do it."
REBECCA TATE
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions about Wunderled Certification?
Email us at {EMAIL} and we'll be happy to help.
Play is the richest, most profound
curriculum we can offer to children
In turn, we believe that The Wunderled Approach Certification is the most impactful experience available to early childhood educators today.
Honoring children requires that you honor yourself, your ideas, where you are today, and where you want to go.
It's not about whether you eliminate plastic from your classroom.
It's not about creating a Pinterest-worthy atelier.
But it is about the children in your classroom being co-constructors in their own education.
And making this happen has everything to do with you - your story, your passion, your skills and strengths.
This is about resisting the pressure from academic pushdown, teaching to the test and introducing instruction that is not serving the true needs of the children in our care.
You have something so much more powerful within you.
Let us show you how to lead with that -
- So you can become a force for change.
- An advocate of wonder of play.
- And a trusted, confident professional who leads with their true passion, every day.
We will give you the structure, skillset and depth of understanding you need to make waves.
If you're ready for the next step, it's time:
Click the button below to apply.
Yours in Wonder,
Sally Haughey
Founder of Fairy Dust Teaching & The Wunderled Approach Certification
Take the next step in your professional path:
Unlock profound confidence in your teaching approach & reignite your passion for the work you are called to do with Wunderled Certification.
We have 3 payment options available for you to choose from:
Pay in Full
$997
One-time payment
2 Part-Payments
$499
2 monthly payments
10 Part-Payments
$99.70
10 monthly payments
Tuition is all-inclusive and grants access to the full certification program.
Spaces are limited and will not open again for another 12 months.
"Rich, diverse… truly fantastic."
This experience has been a personal, creative, intellectual exploration into what is most important about being a teacher.
The support and dialogue have been so rich and diverse. I love that it brings together educators from across the globe to connect and discuss. Truly fantastic.
ABBY H.
"Reignited my passion."
I thought I knew who I was as an educator, but I had no idea what confidence would awaken in me as well as reigniting my passion.
The beauty is that we aren't all on the same journey. We all have our own idea of what we do with our careers and we celebrated each other as we reached our individual goals.
LINDSEY D.
"Life-changing."
I am in the last two months of certification and I can tell you it is life-changing. This is a program that teaches the whole teacher just as we teach the whole child.
I have learned so much about myself and learned skills that I have been implementing every day since the beginning of the course. I've gained confidence in my voice as I advocate for children and I have made lifelong friends.
KATE D.
"The learning is limitless."
Wunderled is a focused program that supports you in finding your teaching voice. You're able to explore areas within yourself and your practice that may otherwise go untouched.
The learning is limitless and so supportive in enabling one to deepen their play-based approach to learning.
CATHY B.
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