Waldorf First Grade Teacher, 26-27 SY
Waldorf First Grade Teacher, 26-27 SY
Job Category: Lower School: Grades 1-5 and Middle School: Grades 6-8
Opening Statement
Prairie Moon Waldorf School – an AWSNA and WECAN Associate Member school – in Lawrence, Kansas seeks a 1st Grade Waldorf Teacher for the school year 2026-2027, who will then teach grades 1-8 over the next 8 years. Prairie Moon Waldorf School is committed to a combined classroom model (a stand-alone first is followed by a combined first/second and the students remain so combined over the next seven years).
About
Prairie Moon Waldorf School opened in 2005 and supports a strong, vibrant family community. We offer Waldorf education from preschool (age 3) through middle school on seven rural acres in the Kaw River Valley. Prairie Moon is currently the only Waldorf school in Kansas and is an Associate Member of the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America and the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America. Connected to a worldwide Waldorf Education movement, the school also offers Waldorf Teacher preparation courses in the region during the summers and February breaks.
Our Anthroposophical Roots
Waldorf education is the principal expression of Anthroposophical thinking in this area; however there is also significant interest in Biodynamic agriculture and Anthroposophic architecture. Anthroposophical and Waldorf education study groups are active and a lecture series addresses the community’s strong interest in the roots of Waldorf education and related subjects.
Essential Job Duties
RESPONSIBILITIES:
-
Use Waldorf teaching methods and pedagogy; create age appropriate lessons for first grade, applying our technology-free approach and make lessons accessible and enjoyable for the first grade class.
-
Schedule and attend home visits in August before the beginning of each school year
-
Host one Parent Association evening per year lecturing on a Waldorf or Steiner subject to educate parents and attending PMWS community.
-
Work in collaboration with other teachers to create the daily school schedule during in-service days (see in-service days below). Follow that schedule, holding space for students to adjust to a set rhythm of the year.
-
-
Attend open houses, student concerts, and seasonal festivals throughout the school year.
-
Participate in at least one committee of choice throughout the school year. Meetings are usually held once a month. Committees include Finance, Professional Development, Fundraising, Facilities & Maintenance, Outreach, Parent Association, and Policy & Planning.
-
Participate in the planning of 1-2 festivals or events per year. As the festivals are cyclical, the setup is streamlined and usually requires 1-2 people who take the lead on assigned tasks. Each teacher can sign up for the events of their choosing, in collaboration with other teachers, at teacher in-service.
-
Attend teacher inservice sessions, lasting 1-3 days, 2-3 times per year.
-
Attend weekly Faculty meetings and participate in faculty-led book study; create the calendar for the school year in collaboration with other faculty and administration, as well as a weekly dept meeting with fellow grades teachers.
-
Must have a mentor and communicate with the mentor throughout the year.
-
Must have at least ten hours of continuing education a year. May do additional training in the summer (expected to use PDFunds).
Qualifications
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Required:
-
Ideal candidates will have Waldorf teacher training, experience teaching in a Waldorf Grades Program, and have a strong passion for Waldorf education.
-
Candidates who have a serious interest in Waldorf education, are experienced educators, and have a willingness to attend teacher training will be considered.
-
We seek a teacher who works well with others, as well as independently, and who possesses a pioneering spirit and enthusiasm for building Waldorf education.
-
Our candidates will also have a bachelor’s degree at minimum—master’s degree preferred.
-
The applicant that is hired must be able to pass a KBI check, meaning that the candidate has not been convicted of a felony or of any crime against persons.
-
Priority will be given to candidates who wish to commit to an eight-year cycle.
Preferred:
-
Waldorf education is the principal expression of Anthroposophical thinking in this area; however there is also significant interest in Biodynamic agriculture and Anthroposophic architecture. Thus candidates with interest in these areas are very welcome.
Employment Details
Prairie Moon has 75 PreK-8th grade students. We are in the midst of investing in and enriching our pedagogical offerings in order to solidify our foundation for a healthy path into the future. Prairie Moon Waldorf School is Kansas’ only Waldorf school and sits on a beautiful 7.5 acres of prairie land in the Kaw River Valley only minutes from downtown Lawrence. Our school’s first grade teacher will come to a growing Anthroposophical community and will have the opportunity to be a forerunner of Waldorf education in the Heartland.
In this position, you can expect to find a supportive, educated community that genuinely loves their Waldorf school. Our location can bring you to a range of housing, options for shopping, including a well-established natural foods cooperative store, a thriving farmer’s market, many locally owned businesses and restaurants, and a responsive city government. The salary for this position will be commensurate with experience and Waldorf teacher training.
Additional Benefits:
-
Benefits package that includes dental, vision, (3) Health plan choices – utilizing Aetna’s network Life insurance, Disability – long & short-term, Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital indemnity; 401k retirement plan
-
Tuition Remission
-
Funds and support for both in-house and external mentorship
-
Financial support for Waldorf Teacher Training and approved professional development workshops, classes and materials.
To Apply
DEADLINE for application: March 1, 2026
How to apply:
Please prepare to demonstrate teaching ability: plan a sample lesson.
Contact Gwyn Schmidtberger, Prairie Moon Waldorf School Administrative Director, to schedule a school visit. 785-841-8800
Other Requirements: Pass a KBI check, meaning that the candidate has not been convicted of a felony or of any crime against persons, as well as have a current health assessment that includes a TB test.
After fulfilling the above, please submit a brief personal biography, work resume, list of 3 professional references, and application for employment to info@prairiemoon.org or mail to:
Prairie Moon Waldorf School
Attn: Teacher Search Committee
1853 E 1600 Rd
Lawrence, KS 66044
