Early Childhood Teachers

Early Childhood Teachers

SUMMARY: The Early Childhood Teacher works out of the principles of Waldorf education and Anthroposophy to support the unfolding consciousness of the children.  The teacher endeavors to create a harmonious and nurturing environment with attention to aesthetics and safety in both the classroom and the yard.  The teacher strives in thought, word and deed to be worthy of imitation by the children. 

One general mission of Early Childhood Teachers is to impart a foundation of understanding about the Waldorf curriculum in order to support a successful journey at WSMF. This position is responsible for designing curriculum in conjunction with the other Early Childhood Teachers and coordinating with Admissions and Marketing to advance the School.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: This list is meant to be representative, not exhaustive. Some Early Childhood Teachers may not perform all the duties listed while, in other cases, related duties may also be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Teaching Responsibilities:

• Works in conjunction with the Leadership Circle, Early Childhood colleagues and Admissions Director, to determine the classes to be offered each year for both the Nursery, Kindergarten and Parent & Child Classes
• Develops and implements age appropriate, seasonal curriculum for each session, which may include weekly circles, stories, songs, craft activities and festivals.
• Provides regularly scheduled parent education opportunities via materials, meetings and conversation.
• Manages the planning and preparation of snack and lunch in coordination with the Early Childhood Assistant. Ensures that food supplies are available for daily snacks.
• Responsible for the safety awareness including current allergy chart, and playground/classroom safety issues.
• Responsible for visual supervision of all children at all times.
• Supervises both indoor and outdoor play.
• Helps support a child’s readiness for transitions as they move up through the program
• Completes a written report for each child

Parent Relations:

• Communicates all necessary calendar, welcome, school closures and announcements to Nursery and Kindergarten families.
• Organize and hold regularly scheduled parent orientation meetings.
• Conducts/leads several parent meetings per school year, to share information about child development, early childhood curriculum, and parenting recommendations. Recommendation is two parent meetings per semester and more if needed.
• Responds to current or prospective parent inquiries about program details and curriculum by phone or by email as necessary.
• Provides written information and verbal instruction to parents to deepen their understanding of Waldorf education including the developmental picture of a child, and parenting skills to help parents create a supportive home life.

School Responsibilities:

• Attends and participates in faculty meetings, both weekly EC department and whole school, and other faculty development activities. May include future planning needs.
• Attends and participates in ongoing professional development from both Waldorf and non-Waldorf sources, including but not limited to workshops, conferences and classroom visits.
• Attends and participates in ALL marketing and outreach programs including but not limited to Open Houses, Early Childhood Information Evenings, and Mornings in the Kindergarten, as needed.
• Takes on committee work as expected by the school.
• Trains, directs and supervises the work of the Early Childhood assistant.
• Meets regularly with the Early Childhood Assistant to discuss responsibilities, classroom matters, and individual children.
• Commits to communicating with colleagues on pedagogical and professional matters and is willing to seek resolution using school-provided resources should difficulties between colleagues arise.
• Helps to carry responsibility for the EC department workload through rotation of: facilitator, minute taker, time keeper, committee work, etc.
• Participates in Peer Observation process and/or in an external review process (as directed by the school).
• Initiates and participates in child studies and pedagogical studies.

Other Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Acquires materials and supplies for the classroom as needed, working within the appropriate school budget.
• Oversees the physical environment for aesthetic, safety and maintenance concerns, and notifies the appropriate bodies of the school for repair or improvement.
• Prepares classroom for start of the school year

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Commitment to and experience with Waldorf pedagogy
• Pediatric CPR and First Aid trained
• Thorough understanding of Child Abuse reporting laws
• Ability to promote the school and its mission effectively
• Strong interpersonal skills