Hybrid Role — Early Childhood Support + Founding Hybrid Home School Program Lead Teacher
Hybrid Role — Early Childhood Support + Founding Hybrid Home School Program Lead Teacher
Job Category: Administration, Early Childhood, Lower School: Grades 1-5, and Operations
Opening Statement
We are looking for a versatile, flexible early childhood and lower school lead teacher to help us build our 2026-2027 hybrid home schooling program while supporting our existing programs in a support role for the 2025-2026 school year. This is a flexible, hybrid role, meaning that it will evolve in its duties and responsibilities over time. The first school year (2025-2026) will primarily consist of support for our existing programs, plus supplemental work to reach a full-time role, while transitioning full-time to the lead teacher role for our hybrid homeschooling program for the 2026-2027 school year. In the first year, you will also work closely with the School Director, Program Director and teaching staff to plan for the hybrid homeschool program the following year.
For certain qualified candidates, teacher housing may be provided.
About
Rainbow Gardens is an early childhood program in Northfield, VT, serving 2-3 year-olds in our Nursery class and 3-6 year olds in our Mixed-Age Kindergarten class. We have expanded from 18 students in our first year, to 24 students in our second year, and are excited to be welcoming almost 30 students in our 3rd year. It is our hope to continue our expansion into our 4th year with a Nursery program as well as a mixed-age hybrid homeschooling program so we can continue to expand the support, childcare, and education we can offer to families in and around Northfield, VT.
With a dedicated team of teachers, staff and parents, we bring Waldorf philosophy and play-based learning to our classrooms to nurture the whole child while stimulating each child’s curiosity, confidence and inner joy. We are proud to announce that Rainbow Gardens is now an Associate Member of the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America (WECAN)!
We are on a mission to bring holistic education that nurtures the whole child and are excited to bring Waldorf-inspired education to our community here in and around Northfield, VT.
Essential Job Duties
Support Teacher (2025-2026 School Year):
Responsibilities:
-
Support children in their daily routines, specifically mealtime, bathroom breaks, and rest time.
-
Foster positive relationships with the children and their families.
-
Help maintain a clean and organized classroom environment.
-
Collaborate with the lead teacher and other staff members to ensure the well-being of the children and school environment.
Experience:
-
Prior experience working with 2-6 year-olds or young children in a daycare or early childhood setting is desirable. Waldorf experience preferred.
Specific Skills Desired:
-
Ability to assist the lead teacher in supporting children in their daily rhythm while maintaining a nurturing environment.
-
Strong observation skills to identify and respond to the individual needs of children in the classroom.
-
Team player with effective communication skills to work collaboratively with the lead teacher and other staff members.
Hybrid Home-School Lead Teacher (2026-2027 School Year):
- Design and deliver a holistic, developmentally appropriate curriculum aligned with Waldorf education, thoughtfully adapted for multiple grade levels.
- Differentiate instruction to meet the needs of both full-time and part-time students, creating meaningful learning experiences for all.
- Regularly reflect on and adapt curriculum, teaching practices, and classroom environment to best meet the needs of the group and ensure developmentally appropriate learning outcomes.
- Foster a respectful, nurturing classroom environment that supports creativity, curiosity, and social harmony.
- Observe and document student progress; communicate regularly with parents and colleagues through conferences, written reports, and informal updates.
- Coordinate with part-time homeschooling families to provide learning support, integrate students into class rhythm, and offer curricular guidance.
- Collaborate with other faculty and staff to plan and participate in school-wide festivals, events, and seasonal celebrations.
- Integrate the arts, nature, storytelling, movement, and handwork throughout the school day.
- Maintain a warm, orderly, and inspiring classroom aligned with Waldorf values and aesthetics.
Qualifications
Hybrid Home School Lead Teacher:
- Minimum 2–3 years of Waldorf classroom teaching experience, preferably in a grades or multi-grade setting.
- Experience working in small-group or homeschool-hybrid environments is highly desirable.
Support Teacher:
-
Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field
Specific Skills:
- Confidence and skill in teaching multiple grade levels within one classroom, including planning main lesson blocks across ages.
- Ability to design developmentally appropriate, arts-integrated lessons that meet both academic and human capacities.
- Strong organizational skills, flexibility, and creativity in adapting curriculum and rhythm for a small, diverse class.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills with parents and colleagues.
- Commitment to deepening Waldorf teaching practice through study and self-development.
Additional Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in education or related field is a plus.
Waldorf Grades Teaching Certification (completed or in progress) is required.
Employment Details
- Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.
- Benefits include health insurance, tuition remission for dependents, paid time off, and opportunities for continuing education.
To Apply
Please send a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references to Andrea at andrea@rainbowgardensvt.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.