Get to Know Director of Education and Youth Programs Ted Ward
Oakland’s Director of Education and Youth Programs Ted Ward brings over a decade of experience in education and a passion for using history and hands-on learning to inspire young people. In addition to year-round programs like Homeschool Day and field trips, Oakland is hosting eight summer camp sessions for kids ages 6-11, with themes ranging from arts and crafts to gardening.
Get to know Ted and learn more about what’s planned for summer 2025!
Can you tell us a bit about your background and past work in education?
I am a native son of Atlanta, growing up in Decatur and Lawrenceville and then returning to the city in 2011 after receiving my Masters of Arts in Education from Georgia Southern University.
My teaching career started at Peachtree Charter Middle School, where I taught 8th Grade Social Studies in a special education/ESOL inclusion classroom. After four years at Peachtree, I taught World Geography, American Government, U.S. History and AP Comparative Government and Politics at Dunwoody High School.
A desire to teach beyond the classroom brought me to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in 2017. In my work as the Education and Public Programs Coordinator, I was able to engage students, educators, and community members in place-based learning through specialized tours, programs, and leadership workshops.
Realizing the impact of place-based learning and how young people saw themselves as part of a global community, I jumped at the opportunity to work with the Isdell Center for Global Leadership at Pace Academy. From leading middle and high school students on learning excursions across the country and the world to developing community engagement experiences in Atlanta for the school’s youngest learners, I was able to see that the most powerful lesson that students learned came from what they discovered about themselves.
What drew you to Oakland Cemetery?
My passion for history and understanding the past through a contemporary context has been a driving force in my educational work. I can think of no place in the city or state that does this better than Oakland Cemetery. Aside from the historical significance of the space, I have long marveled at how the Historic Oakland Foundation has continually sought to expand the impact of community programming through events like illumine, Dia de los Muertos, and Capturing the Spirit of Oakland.
Why do you think Oakland is such a great place to learn?
As a site that is nearly as old as the city itself, Oakland is an amazing educational canvas where we can engage students in not just the history of Atlanta, but also reflect on their roles as citizens within the fabric of the city. Oakland is filled with fascinating stories, some tragic and others inspiring—but all of which we can learn from.
Oakland is also a lively public park and greenspace, home to wildlife, rare plants, and over 1,600 trees. Our youth camps provide elementary-aged children the opportunity to experience the natural wonder of Oakland through hands-on engagement and experiential education like scavenger hunts, obstacle courses, and science experiments.
What can children and families expect from camps this summer?
With eight customized week-long camps, from Eco-Explorers to Garden to Table, Oakland Camps provide students with an enriching summer learning experience that centers discovery and joy at the heart of all activities.
Each camp offers students an incredible opportunity to explore art, history, and nature through daily creativity-fueling crafts, exciting skill-building games, hands-on problem-solving activities, and engaging experiments. Kids will not only learn a lot, but they’ll have a blast doing it!
What has been the most rewarding part of working at Oakland?
For the first time in my professional life, I have found a place where I work in and serve the community that I call home. From working with students during our monthly Homeschool Day programming to connecting with residents at Illumine and our Spring to Life Festival, I get a sense of fulfillment in being part of an organization that contributes to Atlanta’s rich cultural tapestry and constantly seeks to elevate its impact and serve more diverse communities.
