Lower School Teacher – 1st Grade
Lower School Teacher – 1st Grade
Job Category: Lower School: Grades 1-5
Opening Statement
Shining Mountain Waldorf School in Boulder, Colorado, is looking for a Lower School (1st-5th grade) teacher.
Shining Mountain Waldorf School faculty shares a vision of teaching excellence that centers a pedagogy rooted in Waldorf education principles, best academic teaching practices, and a regular examination of curricular content that signifies our commitment to inclusion and belonging. We express collaboration through our participation in weekly meetings, committees, festivals, concerts and assemblies, after school and weekend events, and our tools for restorative practices. We work in concert with our administrative staff and strive to manifest a community where everyone is seen and respected for their valuable contributions.
Essential Job Duties
Full Job Description
Job Title: Lower School Class Teacher (Grade 1)
Program: Lower School Section
Reports to: School Director
FLSA Status: Exempt
Date: June 2026
Teaching Responsibilities
● Hours for teaching staff are 7:45 am to 3:30 pm Monday to Friday following the SMWS academic student calendar
● The class teacher is responsible for holding their class and will be expected to teach the morning lesson curriculum.
● In addition, class teachers are expected to teach subject classes either to their own class or others, depending on their particular skills.
● At SMWS class teachers teach in either grades 1-5 or 6-8 rotations.
● Colleagues and the School Director work collaboratively to maintain an overall vision of curricular expectations through the grades.
● Full time teachers are expected to participate in two committees, two tasks, their weekly department meeting, and the weekly plenum meeting.
Non-teaching Responsibilities
The teacher is expected to:
● Oversee an equitable share of arrival, dismissal, snack, lunch, and recess duties.
● Maintain a clean, orderly, and attractive classroom.
● Assure that classroom resources, tools, and equipment are cared for and replenished.
● Guide and supervise students through their daily class schedule transitions.
● Maintain a healthy relationship with parents and hold 4-5 parent evenings throughout the school year.
● Send parents a weekly email with pertinent classroom updates.
● Attend all festivals and evening class performances.
● Plan and attend all day and overnight field trips.
● Complete an end-of- year report for each student. Middle school (grades 6-8) teachers write end-of-block reports as well.
Professional Development and Support
● The Personnel Committee and the Governance Council consult with new teachers to assure that they receive a mentor who will support their integration into the school.
● The Personnel Committee will provide regular feedback in the form of scheduled reviews and provide professional development opportunities.
● AWSNA Renewal courses
● Waldorf Associations (AWSNA) webinars and educational opportunities
● Weekly Sectional meetings, In-Service meetings (August and June), and weekly Plenum meetings offer collaboration and educational opportunities
Additional Responsibilities:
In accordance with the SMWS philosophy, the person filling this position may be required to carry out other duties necessary to the fulfillment of the school’s mission, strategies, and agreements.
Work Setting
● General classroom, outdoor recess area, field trip, and outdoor environments
● Occasional weekend and evening hours
● Summer movement of classroom
Qualifications
Education and Qualifications / Regulations
● Bachelor’s degree in education or specified subject area preferred
● A minimum of four years of teaching experience preferred
● Waldorf teaching and and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience preferred.
● Demonstrated ability to work well with students and colleagues, and an interest in active community engagement.
● A strong commitment to equity and inclusion.
● Demonstrated teaching capacity in experiential and project-based learning.
● A commitment to continued learning, i.e., Waldorf and general educational trends, research-based learning models, educational technology, curriculum development, learning standards, multicultural education, and current best practices.
● Organizational and computer skills are essential.
Physical Requirements
● The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the Essential Duties and Responsibilities of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to perform the following:
○ SMWS fosters outdoor activities and settings include school campus, playground, surrounding parks and trails, hiking, walking, etc.
○ May be required to coordinate and attend a class trip including driving the school bus, outdoor activities, and camping
○ Lift 25 pounds, bending, stretching
○ Mobility to move classrooms each year – boxes and classroom supplies, etc
● Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Employment Details
Salary and Benefits
SMWS offers a teaching base salary along with years of teaching experience, a comprehensive employee benefit program, professional development, and tuition remission for enrolled children.
● Waldorf-trained base salary is $48,013.00 along with consideration for experience. Faculty members are paid monthly with annual Agreements – July – June each year
● SMWS provides a personalized benefit package including medical, dental, vision, long term disability, life insurance, 401(k), and flexible spending accounts
● Faculty receive 3 personal days (pre-approved by GC)
● Faculty receive 7 sick days each school year (following Substitution Policy)
To Apply
Submit a resume with cover letter to: delhehiawy@smwaldorf.org
Please, consider including 3 references.
Shining Mountain Waldorf School is fully committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting, retaining, developing and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to their race, religion, gender, gender identity, disability, familial status, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited by state or local law. We are dedicated to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment, and where employees are treated with respect and dignity.
