Middle School Teacher
Opening Statement
The Hartsbrook School Middle School Teacher position is a full-time role for the 2026-2027 school year. We seek a collaborative educator to serve students in grades 6-8. This role involves not only classroom instruction but also a commitment to curricular leadership. The teacher will create an intentionally inclusive classroom culture grounded in the tenets of Waldorf pedagogy, collaborate with colleagues on curricular development, and participate in the overall life of the school. The teacher will provide a quality experience for a diverse group of students that reflects Hartsbrook’s philosophy and values, including actively implementing principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.
About
The Hartsbrook School was founded in 1981 in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts by parents. As a fledgling Waldorf school, located on a biodynamic farm, we began with one teacher and a handful of kindergarteners. Today, The Hartsbrook School continues to thrive, enrolling over 250 students from early childhood through grade twelve at our 54 acre campus in Hadley, Massachusetts.
Hartsbrook’s campus encompasses extraordinary acres of preserved land, working farmland, woodlands, wetlands, and an ever-changing view of the Holyoke Range. Forty-two of our 54 acres are part of the Agricultural Preservation Restriction program, which grounds our integrated Land Stewardship program: agricultural arts, animal husbandry, pollinators, and CSA. Our teaching spaces include our original 1900s farmhouse, new sustainable buildings, advanced science labs, barnyards, greenhouses, gardens, forest classrooms, and fields.
The Hartsbrook School offers our students an education that builds the capacities needed to meet the challenges of today’s world. Our programs – from early childhood through high school – fully engage each child, nurturing and inspiring them as their unique gifts unfold. Our approach is unhurried, intentional, and deeply informed by our understanding of childhood and adolescent development. Academics are learned through experience and experimentation. Days are filled with arts, music, movement, academics, and meaningful work guided by our teachers who are committed to excellence and authorities on their subject matter, as well as storytellers, musicians, artists, and actors.
The Hartsbrook School stands on the ancestral homelands of the Nipemaug, of Awanusk and her people of the Kwinitekw Valley. We honor and deeply respect the Indigenous peoples of these broad lands. It is our task to understand the history that led to The Hartsbrook School being here today, including the harms of colonization both past and present; to develop relationships with the Indigenous peoples in this area; and, through our approach to the education of children and in joining with others, to restore balance and health to the land, to the human community, and to the being of the earth.The Hartsbrook School and Waldorf education embraces our common humanity. We promote an understanding of all the world’s peoples and their experiences. We are independent and non-sectarian, educating all children while valuing our many cultural or religious backgrounds. The Hartsbrook School is committed to antiracism and strives to make this work a priority in the life of the community. We reject discrimination based on racial identity, sexual orientation, gender identiy or expression, creed, religion, national origin, or ethnicity.
Essential Job Duties
With the students:
- Designs and implements a rigorous, phenomenon-based Science Main Lesson curriculum for Grades 6-8 that aligns with Waldorf pedagogy and includes time for self-directed learning, direct experience, movement, and artistic activities.
- Teaches Main Lesson blocks such as Physics (Sound, Light, Heat, Mechanics), Chemistry (Combustion, Salts, Acids/Bases), and Earth Sciences.
- Designs and leads age-appropriate classes, conversations and activities fostering a sense of belonging for all students, addressing the specific developmental needs of the middle school adolescent.
- Infuses principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging into the science curriculum and brings an eagerness to learn and grow in this area.
- Designs curriculum based on articulated learning outcomes, shares a comprehensive syllabus, and follows up with timely assessments and reports.
With colleagues:
- Curricular Leadership: Takes a lead role in the review, development, and refinement of the Middle School science curriculum.
- Demonstrates pedagogical leadership by mentoring colleagues and contributing to the professional growth of the faculty.
- Collaborates effectively with the middle school team to support one another in student assessment and shared responsibilities.
- Advise and inform the Lower School Director regarding any needs or issues related to organizing or managing the teaching program.
- Complete required trainings and oversee compliance with regulatory requirements.
With parents/caregivers:
- Maintain regular, transparent communication with parents/caregivers regarding student progress and the science curriculum.
- Be available for parent/caregiver teacher conversations and conferences.
- Communicate directly with parents/caregivers as appropriate and needed around logistical matters and expectations.
Qualifications
- Experience: Minimum 3-5 years of teaching experience is essential, with a specific focus on Waldorf Middle School Science Main Lessons.
- Leadership: Proven experience in curricular development and pedagogical leadership within a school setting.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred. Completion of a recognized Waldorf Teacher Education program is strongly preferred.
- A strong commitment to issues of identity, diversity, equity, and inclusion and demonstrated experience creating inclusive classroom experiences for a diverse student body.
- Timeliness in meeting deadlines, organized record-keeping and reporting, able to hold confidentiality and to effectively collaborate with a diverse set of colleagues.
- Ability to work with students who present different needs in the classroom.
- A commitment to collegiality and collaboration.
Requirements:
- First Aid/CPR/AED Certification
- Allergy/Epi-Pen training
- Complete Vector compliance training upon hiring
- Ability to pass CORI check and fingerprinting
Employment Details
$45,430 starting salary to $54,875 with 15 years of experience. Additional consideration for those with over 15 years of experience.
Benefits include employer contributions to health and dental plans, short-term and long-term disability insurance, sick time, personal time, and professional development funding. Tuition remission is available for eligible children enrolling at Hartsbrook.
403(b) retirement contributions have been paused for 2025-2026 school year. The contributions from the school generally begin only after one year of working at the school.
To Apply
Please send your complete application for the above openings to employment@hartsbrook.org which will include:
- A cover letter explaining your interest and suitability;
- Your most recent and up-to-date resume;
- A completed Employment Application including the names of at least three (3) references;
- All employees need to pass a background check, including fingerprinting, and must possess the legal right to work in the United States.
The Hartsbrook School is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, age, gender, or any protected class. People of color and others underrepresented in our community are encouraged to apply. We recognize that the range of ethnicities, nationalities, languages, socioeconomic backgrounds, sexual orientation, learning differences, and life experiences within our community enhance the school’s learning environment, and we are committed to fostering equity and inclusion. The Hartsbrook School is dedicated to dismantling racism and oppression, to continuing to learn and grow and ask the difficult questions of ourselves, our communities, and the world.
