Early Childhood Lead Waldorf Teacher
Opening Statement
Prairie Moon Waldorf School – an AWSNA and WECAN Associate Member school in Lawrence, Kansas – seeks a Waldorf early childhood teacher. Prairie Moon Waldorf School opened in 2005 and supports a strong, vibrant family community. The early childhood program currently consists of two mixed-age kindergarten classrooms for children ages 3–6 years.
About
Prairie Moon is an AWSNA and WECAN developing member school. We were founded in 2001 and support a strong, vibrant family community of over 75 PreK-8th grade students. We are in the midst of investing in and enriching our pedagogical offerings in order to solidify our foundation for a healthy path into the future. Prairie Moon Waldorf School is Kansas’ only Waldorf school and sits on a beautiful 7.5 acres of prairie land in the Kaw River Valley only minutes from downtown Lawrence. Our school’s first grade teacher will come to a growing Anthroposophical community and will have the opportunity to be a forerunner of Waldorf education in the Heartland. Anthroposophical and Waldorf education study groups are active, and a lecture series addresses the community’s strong interest in the roots of Waldorf education and related subjects.
Our Anthroposophical Roots
Waldorf education is the principal expression of Anthroposophical thinking in this area; however there is also significant interest in Biodynamic agriculture and Anthroposophic architecture. Anthroposophical and Waldorf education study groups are active and a lecture series addresses the community’s strong interest in the roots of Waldorf education and related subjects.
Essential Job Duties
RESPONSIBILITIES
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Using Waldorf teaching methods and pedagogy, plan, lead, and hold the rhythm of an Early Childhood classroom in partnership with the other Early Childhood Lead teacher.
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Each class will have 10-17 children and increase or decrease based on the enrollment decisions of the attending families
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Must be Waldorf centered, as Waldorf classrooms all over the world follow the same rhythm, with variation coming from the teacher’s own creativity, abilities, talents, and self-awareness
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Schedule a home visit with each family within the first semester of enrollment.
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Host parent teacher conferences once a semester (dates and times are flexible, in collaboration between the teacher and the attending families).
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Conduct First Grade Assessments alongside colleagues.
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Attend seasonal festivals, student concerts, and other school events throughout the year.
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Participate in at least one committee of choice throughout the school year. Meetings are usually held once a month. Finance, Professional Development, Fundraising, Facilities & Maintenance, Outreach, Parent Association, and Policy & Planning.
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Participate in the planning of 1-2 festivals or events per year. As the festivals are cyclical, the setup is streamlined and usually requires 1-2 people who take the lead on assigned tasks. Each teacher can sign up for the events of their choosing, in collaboration with other teachers, at teacher in-service.
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Attend teacher inservice sessions, lasting 1-3 days, 2-3 times per year.
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Work in collaboration with other teachers to create the daily school schedule during in-service days. Follow that schedule, holding space for students to adjust to a set rhythm of the year.
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Work within the budget allocated for the program, planning snack and meal purchases within this
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Attend weekly faculty meetings on Wednesdays, participating in child study, book study, and self study as well as co-lead the EC departmental meeting throughout the weeks.
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Must have a mentor and communicate with the mentor throughout the year.
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Must have at least ten hours of continuing education a year. May do additional training in the summer (expected to use PD Funds)
Qualifications
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Lead a classroom according to Waldorf early childhood principles.
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Encourage the development and understanding of the value of Waldorf education among
early childhood families. -
Ability to promote the school and its mission effectively.
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Ability to direct and support a classroom assistant.
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Understanding of child abuse reporting laws.
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KDHE certification training from KCCTO, Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification.
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Positive and effective communication skills.
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Work well with the parents, provide parent education on Waldorf education and create a
healthy class community. -
Ability to work supportively and in collaboration with colleagues.
Employment Details
What to Expect Here at PMWS
First, expect to find a supportive, educated community that genuinely loves their Waldorf school. Secondly, tuition remission is offered for children of PMWS teachers.
Second, expect a salary that is commensurate with experience and training and includes a benefits package that offers: dental, vision, and (3) Health plan choices – utilizing Aetna’s network; Life insurance, Disability – long & short-term, Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital indemnity; and, a 401k retirement plan.
Finally, expect to be required to pass a KBI background check, meaning that the candidate has not been convicted of a felony or of any crime against persons, as well as have a current health assessment that includes a TB test.
Additional Benefits:
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Professional Employer Organization (PEO) access to dental, vision, (3) Health plan choices – utilizing Aetna’s network, Life insurance, Disability – long & short-term, Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital indemnity; 401k retirement plan for all full time employees
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Tuition Remission – up to 80% for full time employees
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Funds and support for both in-house and external mentorship
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Financial support for Waldorf Teacher Training and approved professional development workshops, classes and materials.
To Apply
Items Needed to Apply
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Cover Letter & Resume
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Short Biography – includes a description of your relationship to Anthroposophy & Waldorf Education
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Three References
Email or Mail to: Prairie Moon Waldorf School, Attn: Early Childhood Search Committee 1853 E. 1600 Road Lawrence, KS 66044 / info@prairiemoon.org
DEADLINE for application: June 1, 2025
