1st Grade Teacher

We are excited to welcome new members of our team to help us on this journey and are committed to a program of investment in professional development for our faculty.

We are seeking a 1st grade teacher. Joining the Waldorf School of Princeton, you will find yourself among kindred spirits. Our faculty and staff form a supportive group, working together for the children in our care, encouraging one another to do their best work, and extending grace when we struggle.

To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to:

Lorie Miller, Head of School, lmiller@princetonwaldorf.org

Primary Function:

To serve as guiding teacher for 1st grade. Class teachers typically stay with a class for several years, teaching the same group of children.

The central part of the school day in Waldorf education is the main lesson, delivered in the mornings. Main lessons are typically divided into 3-4 week blocks, focusing on one topic at a time. The class teacher teaches the main lesson content and developmentally appropriate study skills.

The class teacher also coordinates with special subject teachers, communicates with parents, and carries responsibility for the welfare of the students in the class.

Responsibilities:

The class teacher begins the day with the students and incorporates an introductory warm up with the class which can include poetry, music, recorder, speech, mental math, or movement. Besides the Main Lesson blocks for the curriculum for the year, the class teacher offers support skills depending on the needs for that grade level. We do offer time in the day for lesson planning.

Teachers are expected to attend faculty meetings, offer parent meetings (about 4 per year), and meet with parents in conferences twice a year. Teachers write individual reports for each child in time for the end of the school year.

The social life of a class is dependent on the guidance of the class teacher with support from subject teachers. It is important to enforce discipline, respect, and safety in the classroom. Sometimes this requires extra conversations with parents. A class teacher stays with their class for snack, lunch, and dismissal, and has some recess duties. Extra duties are Open Houses and Festival days with the community.

The class teacher is responsible for the class supplies budget.

All teachers follow the employee manual and school policies.

Required Skills:

Ability to engage a class of up to 20 students in line with the Waldorf curriculum, with differentiation. An ability to work with children of various levels of learning needs, to work cooperatively with colleagues and parents, and to foster social and emotional well being.

Desirable Skills:

We value teachers who bring additional specialist skills e.g. world languages, handwork, music, movement and games, dance, circus arts, digital literacy, etc.

Required Training and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree, 5 or more years of experience working with children aged 6-13.

Completed Waldorf teacher training.

Desirable Training and Experience:

Special education training and experience

Remuneration:

Teachers’s salaries are set based on an assessment of their prior experience and qualifications according to a salary scale. Increments are awarded for experience and training both inside and outside Waldorf education, with a higher weighting given to Waldorf-specific training and qualifications. Teachers earn increments for each year of teaching experience up to 15 years, and additional increments for the breadth of skills and experience that they bring to the school. The anticipated range is $48,000 to $92,000, with most salaries falling in the middle of this scale. Full-time employees are entitled to health benefits.