Lower School Director

Educational Leadership

• Lead the ongoing process of Lower School curriculum evaluation, development, and implementation, ensuring alignment with Waldorf educational philosophy and informed by the school’s unique mission and vision and DEI Framework.
• Responsible for oversight of the development and implementation of the bridge between early childhood and elementary school.
• Ensure that teaching practices reflect the principles of Waldorf education and meet the developmental needs of a diverse group of students today.
• Observe and evaluate teacher instruction to ensure high-quality Waldorf teaching and learning.
• Support teachers in creating engaging and effective lesson plans and assessments.
• In collaboration with class teachers, objectively measure student progress, ensuring that academic and social-emotional goals and needs are met.
• In collaboration with lower school faculty, work towards an intentionally inclusive school culture that attracts and retains a diverse set of students, caregivers, faculty and staff.

Faculty Support and Development

• Hire, train, and mentor Lower School faculty in collaboration with the Head of School.
• Develop the Lower School schedule for classes.
• Support event scheduling: concerts, field trips, “windows” events, making sure parent/caregiver evenings are frequent enough and strategically placed
• In collaboration with the Directors and Head of School, develop and implement professional development programs for faculty.
• Provide regular feedback and conduct performance evaluations of lower school faculty
• Foster a positive, collaborative, and professional work environment for teachers and staff.

Student Support

• Promote a positive, respectful and intentionally inclusive school culture grounded in the School’s mission, as well as the underlying values of Waldorf education, equity and inclusion.
• Using restorative approaches, oversee student disciplinary procedures, creating learning opportunities for students and communicating and collaborating appropriately with teachers and families.
• Provide oversight and assistance to student support staff, ensuring effective implementation of developmentally appropriate behavior management and conflict resolution strategies for student success.
• Collaborate with faculty, student support staff, and parents to implement student academic and social-emotional plans and address issues arising.
• In consultation with faculty and Directors, serve as the final decision maker regarding student enrollment and retention.
• Meet with families to discuss student progress, concerns, or disputes.
• Ensure that the school environment is safe, inclusive, and conducive to learning.

Parent/Caregiver and Community Engagement

• Act as the primary point of contact between the Lower School and families for supporting individual students’ academic and social-emotional success.
• Organize and lead parent meetings, workshops, and information sessions.
• Foster open and effective communication between teachers and parents/caregivers.
• Promote a sense of community and belonging within the school.

Administrative and Strategic Leadership

• Develop and manage the Lower School budget in collaboration with the Finance & Ops Director.
• Collaborate with the Head of School and leadership team on strategic planning and school improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate closely with the Upper School Director on overall leadership, programmatic planning, professional development, and strategic visioning.
• Actively engage with the Advancement Director, the Head of School, and other administrative and faculty staff to attract and retain mission appropriate students as well as support and promote school fundraising initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with school policies and accreditation requirements.
• Represent the Lower School at Board of Directors meetings and other school events.