Gardening Teacher
Opening Statement
The Waldorf School of Princeton seeks a Gardening Teacher to lead the Gardening program, aligned with the school’s mission and pedagogy, and provide leadership in all areas of gardening throughout the school.
About
The Waldorf School of Princeton sits on 80 acres of beautifully tended campus, including access to a creek, forest walks, and carefully tended gardens. The campus is within easy reach of the thriving village center of Hopewell and the college town of Princeton. Further afield, New York City, Philadelphia and the Jersey Shore provide endless entertainment at weekends.
An Associate Member of the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America, the Waldorf School of Princeton is committed to providing a rich Waldorf education to all its students, from pre-K through 8th grade. In 2021, the school committed to a nine-year plan to build our school into a beacon for the local community, with a team of dedicated, well-supported, excellent educators at its heart. We are excited to welcome new members of our team to help us on this journey.
Joining the Waldorf School of Princeton, you will find yourself among kindred spirits. Our faculty and staff form a supportive group, working together for the children in our care, encouraging one another to do their best work, and extending grace when we struggle.
Teachers who are not familiar with Waldorf education will be supported through the training and professional development needed to deliver our carefully crafted curriculum that meets the developmental needs of each child.
Essential Job Duties
Garden and Property Care – 10 hrs/wk during 10 weeks of summer, 4 hrs/wk during school
- Lead the care and maintenance for the garden, tools and equipment, barn, and seasonal cleanup activities. This includes not only doing the care yourself, but coordinating and directing others to assist you.
- Also care for shared grounds, sign areas, and building entryways.
- Lead biodynamic preparations or stirs around festivals
- Prepare grounds and flowers for Opening Day Assembly, Open Houses, Graduation, and other campus events
Teaching – Up to 8 teaching hours a week on full weeks of school.
Lead grade school students in all aspects of garden propagation, planting, cultivation, and general maintenance.
- Lead composting programs with the staff and students’ help
- Integrate your curriculum with the class teacher’s curriculum to develop interest in garden life.
- Model respect for the land and for others, maintain discipline, and inspire enthusiasm for learning
- Lead a 9 week garden class once/week each spring for rising 1st graders.
- Provide progress reports and end of year reports on each student; participate in parent teacher conferences
- Optional: work with the Summer Camp Director to provide a summer gardening program during summer camp
Further Duties
- Assisting with and attending some parents’ evenings
- Contributing to school events and festivals throughout the year
- Willingness to assist as requested for the greater good of WSP
Physical Requirement
- Requires walking, digging, kneeling, sitting and standing for periods of time
- Bending, squatting and lifting up to 30 pounds
- Exposure to intense heat and extreme cold
To Apply
To apply, email Head of School Lorie Miller.
