Lead Teacher – 3-Day Preschool Program
Opening Statement
The 3-day Preschool teacher at Maple Village Waldorf School works out of the principles of Waldorf education and anthroposophy to support the unfolding consciousness of the children. The teacher endeavors to create a harmonious and nurturing environment with attention to aesthetics and safety in both the classroom and the yard. The teacher strives in thought, word, and deed to be worthy of imitation by the children.
3-day Preschool teachers are supervised by the EC Department Chair, EC Colleagues, and Pedagogical Committee.
About
We are a progressive suburban school housed in a historic church building in the quiet neighborhood of Belmont Heights. Our relationship with Long Beach Parks and Recreation allows us to utilize four parks within walking distance for partial school days. Our school was recently one of six private schools in the country to be named a
U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School for Environmental Sustainability,
health and wellness, and STEM. We are located minutes from the beach, 1.5 hours to the desert, 2 hours to the mountains, and 30 minutes from a Waldorf high school. We have a diverse population, and we are focused on equitability and inclusion for people of all religions, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and gender identities/expressions. Our Village has a lot of heart, strong parent participation, and is centered on families, community, parent education, collaboration, and mutual respect.
MVWS is an Associate Member of AWSNA and a Developing Member of WECAN.
Teaching Culture:
Our school is entering its 18th year, and programs include Parent/Baby, Parent/Toddler, 3 Preschools, 2 Kindergartens, and Grades 1 – 8. We have an experienced faculty, strong peer mentoring program, and together we study, listen, counsel, laugh, eat, and celebrate.
Our specialty subjects include Handwork, Woodwork, Spanish, Japanese, Games, Strings, Chorus, and Gardening. We also have a strong Early Childhood and Grades Extended Care program.
Essential Job Duties
6 hours per day 8:00 – 2:00 M – W
Early Childhood Department meets three times a month from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m
Full Faculty Meetings are held weekly on Wednesdays from 2:00 – 4:30.
Essential Functions
Teaching Responsibilities:
- Plans and implements all curriculum activities, including morning
circle, story, snack, painting, crafts, cooking, and baking.
- Plans and implements all class festival activities, including holidays
and birthdays.
- Responsible for visual supervision of all children at all times.
- Supervises both indoor and outdoor play.
- Ensures that food supplies are available for daily snacks.
- Completes a written observation for each child transitioning from preschool to kindergarten.
- Determines a child’s readiness for transition from preschool to kindergarten milestone.
Works in conjunction with other teachers to reach this determination.
Parent Relations:
- Conducts/leads three to four parent meetings per school year, to
share information about child development, early childhood
curriculum, parenting and nutrition recommendations.
- Provides written information to parents to deepen their
understanding of Waldorf education, parenting, and nutrition.
- Meets individually with each family at least once per school year to
discuss the child’s development and progress. More than one
meeting may be needed, depending on each child and family’s
individual situation.
- Interviews prospective families.
School Responsibilities:
- Initiates and participates in child studies and pedagogical studies.
- Participates in faculty meetings, both department and whole school,
and other faculty development activities. May include future
planning needs.
- Participates in ongoing professional development from both Waldorf
and non-Waldorf sources, including but not limited to workshops,
conferences, and classroom visits.
- Participates in marketing and outreach programs, including but not
limited to Open Houses, Early Childhood Orientations, and Mornings
in the Preschool, as needed.
- Takes on committee work as expected by the school.
- Directs and supervises the work of the class assistant.
- Meets regularly with assistant to discuss assistant’s responsibilities,
classroom matters, and individual children.
- Commits to communicating with colleagues on pedagogical and
professional matters, and is willing to seek resolution using school provided
resources should difficulties between colleagues arise.
Other Major Duties and Responsibilities:
- Acquires materials and supplies for the classroom as needed,
working within the appropriate school budget.
- Oversees the physical environment for safety and
maintenance concerns, and notifies the appropriate bodies of the
school for repair or improvement.
- Prepares classroom for the start of the school year
Qualifications
Qualifications
The 3-Day Preschool teacher should be familiar with Waldorf education and the principles on which it is based. Additionally, the teacher must demonstrate knowledge of and the ability to comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
Organizational and communication skills are essential, as is an understanding of the need for confidentiality. Must be able to listen and channel information to the appropriate person or group.
Exceptional interpersonal skills. Willingness to attend trainings and seminars as required by the Faculty Council.
College AA or BA or equivalent experience in education.
Waldorf teaching experience required.
Waldorf teacher training preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Commitment to and experience with Waldorf pedagogy
- Pediatric CPR and First Aid trained
- Thorough understanding of Child Abuse reporting laws
- Ability to promote the school and its mission effectively
- Strong interpersonal skills
Education and Relevant Work Experience
- Associate in Arts or Bachelor’s Degree, or equivalent experience in education, child development or related fields
- Waldorf Teaching Certificate – general or early childhood, preferred
- Minimum 12 units of early childhood education as required by state standards (or 6 ECE credits and enrollment to complete 6 additional credits)
- Experience working in a Waldorf early childhood setting
Employment Details
Salary range starting at $29,400 per year and benefits package including increments for teaching experience.
Tuition remission, medical insurance, and professional development.
To Apply
We invite you to complete our job application on our website (available at https://maplevillagewaldorf.org/career-opportunities/) and submit it, along with a cover letter, resume, and letters of reference to MVWS Dean of Education Lisa J. McCarthy at Lisa.McCarthy@maplevillageschool.org. Eligible applicants will be contacted for a phone interview, references will be contacted, and qualified applicants will be invited to an interview with our Hiring Committee, followed up with demonstration lessons.
MVWS is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace where every staff member feels heard, supported, valued, and can share their authentic brilliance to move the MVWS mission forward. MVWS is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Folx who are queer, trans, non-binary, Black, Indigenous, people of color, parents, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, and anyone who has experienced systemic oppression and/or gender-based violence are encouraged to apply. We are committed to addressing issues of racism and inequity internally and externally.
To learn more about our school, please visit our website, Facebook, and Instagram pages at:
https://www.maplevillagewaldorf.org/