Lead Teacher for Preschool and Partial Forest Day Program 2026-2027
Lead Teacher for Preschool and Partial Forest Day Program 2026-2027
Job Category: Early Childhood
Opening Statement
Potomac Crescent Waldorf School (PCWS) is seeking a preschool lead teacher for the 2026-2027 school year to join our dedicated faculty and vibrant community at our newly renovated school in historic Old Town Alexandria near Washington, D.C.
The preschool lead teacher leads a class of 3- to young 4-year-old children. The class meets Monday-Friday during the school year from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with outdoor forest days on Thursdays and Fridays. The early childhood department lead teachers rotate coverage of lunch until 1:00 p.m. and back-up coverage of the afternoon program until 3:00 p.m. when needed, but otherwise have time on campus until 3:00 p.m. for class preparation, faculty collaboration and parent work.
About
PCWS was established in 1998, and our newly renovated school building is in historic Old Town Alexandria with an onsite playground and access to local parks for forest day programming. PCWS is a full member of WECAN and an associate member of AWSNA. We offer preschool through fifth grade programming, as well as parent-child classes for infants and toddlers from birth to age three.
We have a dedicated staff, faculty, and Board of Directors and a governance model based on collaborative leadership from these three realms. We have a committed community of families with an active Parent Association that offers many opportunities for families to connect with each other, including a handwork group, coffee meet-ups, an annual bonfire and all-school camping trips in the fall and spring.
We strive to develop thoughtful, fulfilled citizens who have the capacity to think imaginatively, communicate effectively, and relate compassionately. We believe in educating the whole human being: head, heart and hands, and in nurturing well-rounded individuals who will be successful in school and beyond.
Essential Job Duties
-Creating a plan for the year centering around an understanding of the year’s seasonal progression and festivals;
-Planning a curriculum that nurtures healthy child development throughout the early childhood years and provides a strong foundation for kindergarten and first grade. This includes a progression of complexity and ability related to circles, self-control, coordination, and healthy movement;
-Working collaboratively with the other early childhood teachers;
-Planning, carrying out, and reviewing the program and activities on a day-to-day basis;
-Working closely with class parents through regular communication and by scheduling, organizing, and hosting four parent evening meetings and two parent-teacher conferences during the year;
-Keeping records of attendance and student progress;
-With the help of the assistant, maintaining the classroom in a neat and orderly fashion;
-Meeting with new students and their families before the school year, either at their home or at the school;
-Writing narrative reports for each child in their class at the end of the school year.
The lead teacher will meet with the assistant teacher at least weekly for planning and review to ensure a meaningful classroom role for the assistant. Collaborative work with the assistant teacher is essential for a healthy class environment.
As an active member of the school’s faculty, the lead teacher participates in weekly faculty meetings, early childhood department meetings, and committee work and must be able to work collaboratively with colleagues. The lead teacher will work with the enrollment administrators and the early childhood teachers to admit families into the early childhood program. Attendance at school events, admissions events, and festival celebrations is required.
Qualifications
We are seeking candidates who have completed a Waldorf early childhood teacher training program recognized by WECAN and have early childhood teaching experience. We will also consider candidates who are enrolled in a Waldorf early childhood teacher training program recognized by WECAN or have Waldorf early childhood teaching experience and are receptive to training and mentoring. The ideal candidate will also have strong social and communication skills, a love for children and teaching, and the ability to be active indoors and outdoors with the children in all safe weather conditions. A commitment to our principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice and a willingness to participate in ongoing work related to this is essential.
Employment Details
PCWS offers a collaborative work environment with dedicated faculty, competitive salaries, and a benefits package that includes recognition of Waldorf teacher training and experience, child tuition discounts and health, dental, and vision insurance options. We value ongoing professional development and support new lead teachers with mentoring. This is an exempt, salaried position.
To Apply
We look forward to receiving your application. Please see the detailed job description and apply on the Potomac Crescent Waldorf School website at www.potomacwaldorf.org/employment. We also invite you to contact our personnel committee at personnel@potomacwaldorf.org with any questions.
