HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL CHAIR

HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL CHAIR 

Chicago Waldorf School

Beginning 2026/27 School Year 

Why Chicago Waldorf School? 

At Chicago Waldorf School, we offer the unique opportunity to practice Waldorf education within a thriving, urban landscape. As one of the most established Waldorf schools in the United States, we provide a professional home where educators are empowered, celebrated, and supported. 

Our Community by the Numbers: 

• 100% of our faculty feel trusted to teach with autonomy and professional creativity.* 

• 96% of our faculty would enthusiastically recommend CWS as a place to work.* 

• 50 Years: Celebrating a half-century of educational excellence in Chicago. 

• 46% of our students identify as BIPOC, reflecting our commitment to equity. 

• 46 Zip Codes: Our community spans the entire Chicagoland area. 

• 34 Countries & 22 Languages: A truly global community in one building. 

• 9 Specialists: Robust support through our Social Work and Learning Support departments.
   

*Results from the 2025 and 2026 Climate and Equity Survey
 

Position Overview 

Chicago Waldorf High School needs a builder and innovator to take our high school into the 21st century. The High School Level Chair is a member of Pedagogical Leadership, which requires a combination of administrative and classroom responsibilities, based on our current configuration. Our High School Chair will collaborate with faculty and administration to describe, implement and communicate essential elements of our program and educational philosophy.  

 

The High School Level Chair reports to the Faculty Director and partners with other members of our Management Team to ensure excellent delivery of our high school curriculum. It will be important to hold practical details and day-to-day operations alongside visionary planning. This pedagogical leader will support all faculty and students in grades 9-12 to meet the school’s Mission and Strategic Vision.  The High School Level Chair will be guided in all aspects of their work by AWSNA Core Principles of Waldorf Education and Chicago Waldorf School’s core values.  

 

Duties and Responsibilities of the Level Chair include:  

• Oversee all aspects of High School student life, activities, and academics at Chicago Waldorf High School 

• Overseeing and designing a schedule and course offerings that is in alignment with Waldorf principles  

• Developing a curriculum that embraces our time and place and that prepares our students for meaningful work in college and beyond  

• Communicating with parents, teachers and the board about programs and policies in a clear and timely manner  

• Building agendas for weekly meetings and facilitating the meetings with an eye toward a healthy and collaborative workplace  

• Facilitating parent evenings and senior projects  

• Partnering with the Faculty Director to oversee and implementing student disciplinary policies, behavior plans and safety plans  

• Coordinating with College Counselors and the Registrar’s Office for new student enrollment and college placement  

• Supporting enrollment and teacher recruitment initiatives  

• Representing our school and the high school level to the school community and the larger educational community  

• Serving as a member of the school’s Management Team and Leadership Team  

• Building relationships with other Waldorf High Schools   

The ideal candidate possesses:  

• Completed Waldorf Teacher Training and/or Waldorf Administrative Training or its equivalent  

• A Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree or beyond  

• Three years successful Waldorf teaching and leadership experience, ideally in a PreK-12th Grade Waldorf School preferred.  

• Demonstrated understanding, interest and openness to Waldorf Education and other progressive school models and an openness to Anthroposophy.  

• Commitment to the Mission, Vision and Core Values of the Chicago Waldorf School.  

• Ability to infuse creativity and joy into practical tasks and daily operations  

• Dedication to building a positive and collaborative workplace for all faculty  

• An openness and enthusiasm for diverse students and families, our urban environment and a desire to develop open relationships with community organizations  

• Comfort with our school student information system, excellent communications skills, and proficiency with Microsoft Office, Outlook, Blackbaud, and other operating systems to support administrative work  

Compensation & Amenities  

The Chicago Waldorf School offers an excellent and competitive benefits  package, including:  

• Health & Dental Benefits 

• Life Insurance 

• 403B Pension Program 

• Full Tuition Remission 

• Funds for on-going Professional Development.  

The salary is commensurate with experience beginning in the range of $50,000 and continuing upwards.  We encourage you to forward this job opening to others who may be interested. To apply please send your resume and letter of interest to:  recruitment@chicagowaldorf.org.  

More About the Chicago Waldorf School 

Founded in 1974, CWS is an established Waldorf school offering a full curriculum that remains deeply committed to its urban roots. We explore and enrich the Waldorf curriculum through the arts, equity and inclusion, and the specific time and place in which we live. 

For the past seven years, we have been settled in our permanent home: the landmark Lyman Trumbull building in Andersonville. Our campus includes 49 classrooms and offices, a gym, an auditorium, and two outdoor parks. We maintain active partnerships with many businesses and organizations in the surrounding neighborhood, ensuring the school is a functional part of the local community. 

Our faculty members come from around the world and represent all stages of life. We prioritize a supportive transition for new staff, including: 

• Mentorship: Every new teacher is assigned a mentor and provided with weekly mentoring meetings. 

• Professional Development: Faculty have regular access to PD funds and participate in weekly meetings to study Rudolph Steiner pedagogical insights, current educational perspectives and for artistic work 

• Ongoing Training: We provide training in first aid, sexual harassment prevention, and trans-inclusivity, alongside SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) seminars, and curriculum-based preparation 

In addition to core academic subjects, we teach music, German, Spanish, Eurythmy, gardening, parkour, and practical and fine arts. Our families are international and reflect diversity in many forms, united by a shared desire for a developmental curriculum that recognizes the whole child and celebrates individual differences. 

Equal Opportunity Employer  

The Chicago Waldorf School does not discriminate in its hiring practices, and beyond that has a deep commitment to respect and celebrate the differences in students and staff from widely diverse social, economic, cultural, linguistic, intellectual, racial, educational, and religious backgrounds. There is a sustained effort to improve and clear recognition that our educational excellence and fulfillment of our school’s mission is dependent on embracing diversity in our school community. We seek to fully include and affirm faculty, staff, and students in all their identities. In everything we do, we work toward freedom, responsibility, and excellence. The Chicago Waldorf School provides its teachers, staff and families with ongoing opportunities to study and discuss aspects of diversity.