Lead Afternoon Teacher
Opening Statement
The Housatonic Valley Waldorf School is seeking a warm, loving Lead Afternoon Teacher for our Early Childhood Programs. This person will be responsible for providing nurturing and supportive environment based on Waldorf principles for the children enrolled in our Early Childhood afternoon programs. This is a part-time, salaried position.
About
HVWS is a Pre-K through Eighth Grade school, with three Early Childhood classes, Parent-Child classes, and an active Summer Camp. Specialty classes for First through Eighth Grades include Spanish, Handwork, Eurythmy, Music and Strings. Our Educational Support Group offers therapeutic services to children as needed. After-School Enrichment activities can include woodwork, painting, circus arts and other classes. The school has a peaceful and joyful atmosphere, with professionally Lazure-painted classrooms and spacious playgrounds. Our vibrant and warm community sponsors Anthroposophical study groups, fairs, festivals, handwork groups, and parenting workshops.
HVWS was founded in 1989 and is accredited by AWSNA, NCPSA, WECAN, and CAIS. We are more than 35 years old and entering an exciting phase of our growth and development, with a collaborative faculty and a strong, supportive Board of Trustees.
HVWS is part of the Newtown community in the Housatonic River Valley, which is rich in history. With some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Northeast, there are many forests, nature preserves, farms, lakes and rivers for our students to explore and enjoy. We’re close to New York City and the Berkshire Mountains with sophisticated cultural environments, as well as Anthroposophical communities in Spring Valley, NY; Harlemville, NY; and Great Barrington, MA.
Essential Job Duties
Classroom Responsibilities Include:
- Supervise children in the Early Childhood Afternoon programs at all times.
- Take great care to provide a loving, secure and supportive mood for the children.
- Strive to create reverence and the right inner and outer gestures for the children to imitate.
- Work with the other Afterschool Teachers to implement an afternoon rhythm.
- Lead with appropriate verses for gratitude towards snack, games, and engaging activities.
- Set out children’s lunches to encourage gratitude for the meal.
- Provide a healthy afternoon snack.
- Create a supportive mood for the grade school students to do homework.
- Create a supportive mood for early childhood children to rest.
- Work with the children to foster a clean and tidy environment in the classroom, ensuring the facility is left ready for thew morning program to begin the following day.
- Manage afternoon program needs including supplies and budget.
- Ensure a smooth transition from the morning program to the afternoon program as well as to the late care.
- Coordinate with parents to ensure smooth pick-up procedures.
- Limit cell phone usage to emergency purposes only.
School Responsibilities Include:
- Communicate questions, concerns, and observations to fellow extended care teacher(s) and/or class teachers as well as the Executive Director.
- Commit to continuing education by attending lectures, workshops, conferences to deepen one’s understanding of Waldorf pedagogy when possible.
- Participate in peer review, self-evaluations, and mentoring as listed in employment contract.
Qualifications
- Minimum of 3 years of experience working with early childhood children.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work supportively and in collaboration with colleagues.
- Ability to promote the school and its mission effectively.
- Experience with supervising other employees preferred.
- Experience in a Waldorf setting and knowledge of Waldorf pedagogy preferred.
- Preference in hiring for this position will be given to candidates who have completed or started their Waldorf Teacher Training.
To Apply
To apply, please visit: https://waldorfct.bamboohr.com/careers/34?source=aWQ9MTg%3D
