Lead Teacher-Early Childhood Program- Licensed Facility
Lead Teacher-Early Childhood Program- Licensed Facility
Job Category: Early Childhood
Opening Statement
Sierra Waldorf School is seeking dedicated Early Childhood staff who feel called to honor and protect the wonder of early childhood. Whether supporting the rhythm of the classroom or guiding children during the afternoon hours, these roles contribute to a warm, nurturing environment where young children can thrive.
Throughout our Early Childhood program, we cultivate imagination, a strong daily rhythm, meaningful work, and abundant outdoor play within a home-like setting that supports the young child’s unfolding development. The ASC program provides a gentle and nurturing extension of the school day, offering children opportunities for creative play, meaningful activity, rest, and connection within a familiar Waldorf environment.
The Lead Teacher in a licensed Early Childhood facility holds responsibility for classroom preparation, seasonal curriculum, yearly activities, and the cultivation of a healthy social and pedagogical environment grounded in Waldorf education. The Lead Teacher works closely with an Assistant Teacher and serves as a mentor through guidance, modeling, collaboration, and shared reflective practice.
Lead Teachers work collegially alongside the other Early Childhood Lead Teachers within a collaborative mentoring faculty structure. Faculty members participate in shared governance, mentoring meetings, classroom observations, and ongoing collegial support processes intended to strengthen the health of the classrooms, faculty, and broader school community.
Faculty Governance and Mentoring Structure
The Early Childhood faculty operates through a collegial Waldorf governance model grounded in shared responsibility, mentoring, and collaborative practice. Lead Teachers work together as a mentoring circle rather than within a traditional hierarchical management structure.
While individual teachers maintain responsibility for the health and functioning of their classrooms, faculty members are expected to participate in collaborative dialogue, collegial problem-solving, classroom observation, and mutual support processes.
Assistant and Associate Teachers receive direct mentorship from their classroom Lead Teacher while also being supported by the broader Early Childhood faculty community.
All faculty members share responsibility for cultivating a professional, respectful, and socially healthy working environment that supports the wellbeing of the children, families, faculty, and school.
About
Nestled in the sunny foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Sierra Waldorf School is a vibrant, fully AWSNA-accredited school serving approximately 133 students from Preschool through Eighth Grade. Our rural campus in historic Rawhide Valley, just a short drive from Yosemite National Park, provides a beautiful natural setting where children and educators can learn, work, and grow together.
Our faculty shares a deep commitment to Waldorf education, collegial collaboration, and ongoing professional growth and continued study. We value educators who approach their work with warmth, presence, creativity, and a genuine love for children. If you are inspired to guide young children with reverence, joy, and a commitment to nurturing healthy development, we warmly invite you to bring your gifts and enthusiasm to our community.
Essential Job Duties
Reports To Sierra Waldorf Faculty, Admin and Board
Mentoring and Classroom Leadership Responsibilities
Mentor and support Assistant Teachers within the classroom
Consistent weekly mentoring with own assistant weekly
Support orientation to classroom rhythms, Waldorf pedagogy, and professional expectations
Maintain collaborative communication regarding classroom needs and assistant scheduling
Participate in reciprocal mentoring relationships within the Early Childhood faculty
Attend weekly mentoring meetings
Duties and Responsibilities
Provide curriculum in accordance with the principles and methods of Waldorf education
Foster and maintain a healthy social life within the classroom community
Incorporate student families into the life of the school community
Prepare yearly classroom rhythms, schedules, and daily lesson plans
Guide student activities with warmth, consistency, and ongoing support
Implement a curriculum that fosters the healthy physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development of the young child
Create an environment that nurtures foundational sense integration, imaginative play, movement, and healthy social development
Cultivate capacities that support readiness for later academic learning
Provide parent education regarding child development and Waldorf education
Conduct a minimum of three parent meetings per school year
Hold parent-teacher conferences and prepare student progress reports
Support families in incorporating Waldorf principles into home life when appropriate
Foster collaborative relationships between parents, teachers, and the broader school community
Participate in school festivals, outreach events, committee work, and faculty responsibilities
Qualifications
Required Skills and Abilities
Ability to assess and respond to the evolving needs of the children in the class
Skill in working with the young child through all developmental capacities
Ability to maintain a healthy, orderly, and nurturing classroom environment
Ability to work collaboratively within a collegial faculty structure
Commitment to mentoring relationships with Early Childhood faculty and Assistants
Ability to contribute to faculty governance, enrollment support, and administrative tasks as needed
Commitment to confidentiality, professionalism, and healthy communication
Participation in annual self-reflection and evaluation processes
Regular attendance at morning verse, faculty meetings, trainings, and required summer preparation weeks
Commitment to carrying out the decisions of the Faculty and Board of Trustees
Desired Skills and Abilities
Commitment to reflective practice and ongoing inner development
Interest in Anthroposophy and Waldorf educational philosophy
Ability to work collaboratively with mentors and colleagues
Commitment to professional growth through reading, conferences, workshops, and continuing education
Required Education and Experience
Experience working with children
Ongoing Waldorf training through teacher training programs, summer intensives, workshops, or continuing education
Live Scan fingerprint clearance, FBI clearance, and Child Abuse Central Index clearance as required
Completion of at least 12 core units in Early Childhood Education or Child Development, including coursework in:
Child, Family, and Community or Child/Family Relations
Programs/Curriculum
Child/Human Growth and Development
See Title 22 qualification requirements for additional pathways that may satisfy state criteria.
Preferred Education and Experience
Waldorf Early Childhood Teacher Certification
Experience working with children ages 2.9 years through the early grades
Experience with classroom leadership and mentoring
Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field
California Teaching Credential or equivalent experience
Physical Requirements
The physical abilities outlined below are essential for successfully performing the primary functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.
Employees are regularly required to:
Supervise and communicate with children and coworkers
Stand, walk, sit, bend, kneel, crouch, and move throughout classroom and outdoor environments
Use hands and arms for classroom activities and caregiving tasks
Occasionally lift and move children or equipment up to 50 pounds
Work takes place both indoors and outdoors and may involve exposure to noise, weather conditions, illness, and routine childhood environmental factors.
Work Schedule and Calendar
This position follows the academic calendar beginning in early August and concluding in mid-June, with additional summer responsibilities for training, preparation, and program support.
Regular working hours are generally:
Monday–Friday: 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Responsibilities may also include:
Parent conferences and evening parent meetings
Faculty meetings and committee work
School festivals and outreach events
Summer training and preparation weeks
Dedicated weekly time includes:
Mentoring responsibilities: Weekly from 1:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
Faculty responsibilities and administrative work: Fridays from 1:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
Employment Details
Compensation and benefits:
Compensation, determined by educational qualifications and years of experience, ranges from $43,680 to $64,737 per annum.
Full Remission.
To Apply
Equal Employment Opportunity
Sierra Waldorf School is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Sierra Waldorf School will not tolerate discrimination against any employee based on race, ethnicity, national origin or ancestry, gender, age, religious convictions, or disability.
Sierra Waldorf School is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Please submit a resume and cover letter with 3 references to hiring@sierrawaldorf.com
