Head of School
Opening Statement
Position Title: Head of School
School: Linden Waldorf School
Location: Nashville, TN
Reports To: Board of Trustees
Position Type: Exempt, Full-time and Onsite with limited travel
Targeted Start: June 2026 (Academic Year 2026/2027)
About
About the School
Linden Waldorf School (“LWS”) is an independent EC through 8th grade school in Nashville, TN, that was formally established as a nonprofit organization in 1997 by a small group of passionate educators, parents, and community members sharing a vision to educate children in a way that nurtures their will, passion, and intellect, and inspires a lifelong love of learning. LWS is the only Waldorf school in the State of Tennessee and the region’s ambassador of Waldorf education. The school has NAIS, SAIS, and AWSNA Accreditations.
The LWS founders held an implicit belief that every child possesses a unique potential that can be realized through the intentional, transformative education found in the Waldorf methodologies. With dedication and love, they grew the school from one preschool class into a full educational program extending through eighth grade.
LWS is preparing the next generation of confident scholars poised to become resilient, courageous, and meaningful contributors to the world. Our graduates step into the world as whole people: curious and thoughtful learners; budding scientists and mathematicians; skilled artists and musicians; and grounded and compassionate young adults, ready to engage with the world around them.
Essential Job Duties
Position Summary
Our future Head of School is an exceptional leader who will serve as the chief executive and educational leader, will report to the Board of Trust, and will be responsible for upholding the principles of Waldorf education while fostering a nurturing and dynamic learning environment. Our future leader will oversee the school’s academics, financial management, and operations, ensuring alignment with the school’s mission and strategic vision. LWS is seeking an exceptional leader to begin in the Head of School role in summer 2026.
Key Responsibilities
- Financial and Operational Leadership
- Oversee strategic planning, budgeting, and financial stewardship to ensure sustainability, operational excellence, and growth.
- Work in partnership with the Board of Trustees to implement policies and long-term vision.
- Provide informed recommendations to the board regarding policies, financial planning, and institutional growth.
- Lead initiatives for school improvement, infrastructure development, and program expansion.
- Educational Leadership
- Maintain and uphold the principles of Waldorf education, ensuring curriculum integrity and pedagogical excellence.
- Stay informed about developments in Waldorf education and integrate best practices into the school.
- Hold space for faculty autonomy while maintaining pedagogical integrity.
- Balance tradition with the ever-evolving needs of modern education, ensuring the school is both rooted and forward-thinking.
- People & Culture
Waldorf education thrives through leveraging creativity and steady personal development The Head of School will:
- Support faculty development through mentorship, oversight of evaluations, and professional growth opportunities.
- Encourage a collaborative and creative learning culture among teachers, students, and families.
- Lead faculty study groups and professional development steeped in Waldorf teaching philosophy.
- Guide teachers through curricular development and review to ensure curricula meet students’ evolving needs.
- Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and artistic expression in education.
- Governance, Compliance, & Strategy
- Lead recruitment and hiring processes for faculty and staff, ensuring alignment with the school’s mission.
- Establish and maintain compliance with accreditation, licensing, and regulatory requirements.
- Collaborate with the Board of Trustees to refine and implement the school’s strategic goals.
- Community Stewardship & Holistic Growth
Waldorf schools function as extended communities. The Head of School’s role goes beyond administration to:
- Strengthen parent education programs, ensuring families understand and support the Waldorf approach.
- Cultivate outreach that connects the school with wider cultural and environmental movements.
- Actively engage in conflict resolution, using empathy and understanding to navigate challenges within the community.
- Cultivating an Inspired Future
Above all, the Head of School will nurture a vision for the future that preserves the soul of Waldorf education while making room for evolution. This includes:
- Supporting new programs that integrate outdoor education, sustainability, and innovation.
- Ensuring technology—where used—is implemented thoughtfully, in ways that honor Waldorf principles.
- Advocating for education policy that supports holistic, child-centered learning approaches.
- Community Engagement & Communication
- Act as the primary spokesperson for the school, cultivating meaningful relationships with students, parents, faculty, and external stakeholders.
- Facilitate open, transparent communication between the faculty, administration, parents, and the Board of Trustees.
- Strengthen community ties by fostering inclusivity, diversity, and respect within the school environment.
- Oversee and lead in outreach efforts, including admissions and fundraising initiatives.
Qualifications
Qualifications & Experience
The successful Head of School will be a seasoned educational leader with a track record of institutional leadership in independent school settings. This includes:
- Proven capability to manage and improve the operational and financial complexities of an independent school community.
- Experience recruiting, hiring, supporting, and retaining talented, broadly diverse, and mission-aligned faculty.
- A commitment to understanding and leveraging Waldorf education and philosophy.
- Proven experience in school administration.
- Strong financial acumen with experience in budget management and strategic planning.
- Familiarity with state compliance, child-safeguarding, and security management.
- Experience with fundraising and launching annual fund/major gift campaigns.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to inspire faculty, students, and parents toward a shared vision of learning and development.
- Advanced degree in education, administration, or a related field preferred.
- Legally authorized to work in the US
Employment Details
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary with adjustments for experience.
- Health insurance and retirement savings plans, paid time off.
- Professional development stipend offered for new administrators, including AWSNA conferences and Waldorf Training.
- A balanced work schedule with summer flexibility and school break downtime.
To Apply
Application Process
Interested candidates should submit a CV, cover letter, and a statement of educational philosophy to headsearch@lindenwaldorf.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
