Early Childhood, Pre K, Lead Teacher, Part t in Austin, Texas at Austin Waldorf School Inc

Early Childhood – Pre-K Lead Teacher (Part-time)

Job Title: Early Childhood – Pre-K Lead Teacher (“Teacher”)

Reports to: Grades Director

Classification: Part-time, Exempt, Not-eligible for benefits

Supervisory responsibility: No supervision of staff

Salary: Salary offered to the successful candidate depends on qualifications and experience

How to Apply

If you are qualified and interested in joining a warm, hospitable, and growing community such as ours, please email your resume, three references, and a letter of interest to awsrecruitment@austinwaldorf.org and place the job title and your name in the subject line of the email message.

General Description

The Teacher nurtures the healthy development of young children through a warm, rhythmic, and imaginative environment rooted in the principles of Waldorf Education. The teacher fosters the growth of the whole child—head, heart, and hands—through play-based learning, storytelling, artistic activities, and meaningful work. The role emphasizes protecting early childhood as a time for creativity, wonder, and social development. The work involves creating a safe and warm atmosphere, worthy of imitation, where each child is encouraged to develop their unique potential while also promoting cooperation, respect, and a love for learning. The Teacher works closely with parents, their assistants, and colleagues to ensure the holistic development of each child.

Education and Basic Requirements

1. Bachelor’s degree or relevant experience in education, child development, or a related field.
2. Experience working with young children in a classroom setting.
3. Familiarity with Waldorf education, an understanding of developmental stages in children, and ongoing study or interest in anthroposophy.
4. Strong classroom management skills and motivational strategies.

Preferences

1. Waldorf teaching certification.

2. Previous experience in a Waldorf or other holistic educational setting.

Professional Requirements

1. Ability to work collaboratively with students, teachers, and parents in a supportive and compassionate manner.
2. Strong verbal and written communication skills.
3. A commitment to ongoing professional growth, particularly in Waldorf education.
4. First Aid/CPR certification.
5. Basic computer literacy and organizational skills.

Other Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

1. Deliver engaging, age-appropriate lessons aligned with the school's curriculum and educational philosophy
2. Foster development in:

1. Prepare children for a successful transition to kindergarten.
2. Foster strong classroom management and a positive learning environment.
3. Teach based on an anthroposophical understanding of human development and its relation to the subjects taught.
4. Implement hands-on, experiential learning techniques for core subjects such as literacy, mathematics, arts, and sciences.
5. Continuously assess student progress and adapt teaching strategies as necessary.
6. Complete required student reports and assessments.
7. Hold parent-teacher conferences to discuss student progress, concerns, and development.
8. Respond promptly to emails and concerns from parents, maintaining open and supportive communication.
9. Supervise students during breaks and other non-classroom times, ensuring their safety and well-being.
10. Enforce school community handbook policies and rules to ensure a positive, respectful school environment.
11. Share responsibility for ordering, organizing, and maintaining all pedagogical materials related to your subject areas.
12. Actively participate in faculty meetings, professional development, and community events, contributing to the school’s mission and vision.
13. Collaborate with colleagues to enhance curriculum and develop interdisciplinary projects.
14. Cultivate effective professional relationships with students, parents, and colleagues.
15. Engage in ongoing professional development related to Waldorf education, including mentoring, independent study, and continuing education.
16. Contribute to the broader school and community life, attending meetings, assemblies, and events.
17. Share responsibility for keeping the Curriculum Guide current.
18. Report health and safety issues related to classroom or equipment to the administrative team.
19. Other duties as required.

Physical and Mental Requirements

The Teacher must meet the following mental and physical requirements safely, with or without reasonable accommodation.

1. The ability to learn, understand, remember, and communicate effectively information about the job.
2. The ability to understand the meaning of and use and speak words understandably and effectively in the English language.
3. Good hearing and listening abilities, that is, the Teacher must be able to hear spoken words from co-workers, supervisors and others.
4. Good motor coordination skills, that is, the ability to coordinate his or her eyes, hands and fingers rapidly and accurately in order to handle precise movements such as typing.
5. Make and use repetitive hand motions over an extended period, as when typing.
6. Work effectively under pressure and deadlines.
7. Must be able to lift or move objects weighing as much as 40 pounds.
8. Some of the physical activities required of the Teacher include but are not limited sitting, remaining upright for extended periods, standing, walking and moving rapidly on uneven ground, bending, lifting and moving objects up to 40 pounds, pushing or pulling, reaching, grasping, and moving within and without the classroom environment.