Position Description:
DVWS Class Teachers carry the year-long program for their class of students. Classes may be single-grade or combined as determined by the Faculty. The Class teacher will collaborate with the Subject Teachers to coordinate the experience for the students.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Understand and develop lesson plans according to the Waldorf curriculum and developmental guidelines appropriate to the level of students they are teaching.
- Lesson plans will cover block studies in three or four week rhythms as well as ongoing skills lessons in language arts and mathematics.
- Arrange and support the students in performing a class play for parents and wider community.
- Prepare grade appropriate activities, field trips.
- Contribute to planning festival activities for the grade school.
- Monitoring both the academic and developmental growth of the students.
- Actively create a social environment in the classroom in which students are encouraged to be responsible for their actions as well as their work and behavior.
- Provide a curriculum overview for parent orientation at the beginning of the school year.
- Prepare student block reports, conduct parent/teacher conferences once per year (or more when needed) and a final end of year report.
- Prepare and hold class meetings at least 3 times per school.
- Cultivate and maintain parent communication with the class parents.
Expectations of All Employees:
- Provide support to parents and treat them with courtesy and respect. Foster growth of the community. Provide parents with opportunities to learn more about the Waldorf philosophy.
- Work collegially with coworkers. Treat them with courtesy and respect. Be willing to work through conflicts when they arise.
- Be able to hold sensitive information as confidential when identified as such in meetings by either the faculty, administration, or board.
- Continue to work on self and professional development.
- Be a worthy representative of DVWS and Waldorf education.
- Be punctual.
- Dress professionally and appropriately to stand before the students.
- Be an adult worthy of imitation.
- Work with each child as an individual, worthy of the deepest reverence. Treat children with courtesy, love and respect, especially when discipline is needed.
- Strive for an inner understanding of the year's seasons and festivals in order to support the teacher in bringing this to the children in an appropriate fashion.
- Yearly attendance at Waldorf early childhood conferences or training is encouraged.
Organizational Responsibilities:
- Participation in level and faculty meetings as scheduled or requested.
- Participation in mentoring meetings (if suggested in your employment letter).
- Participation in Faculty in-service meetings in advance of, during, and after the school year.
- Committee work following the first year of teaching.
- Supporting when needed the coverage of other duties (curb, bus, recess duty).
- Willingness to step in for a colleague when needed.
- Participation in the community building activities of the school.
- Keeping up-to-date on announcements sent via email, the DVWS news or postings.
- Reading the Employee Handbook annually and completing required safety training and compliance paperwork.
- Familiarizing oneself with the policies and procedures printed in the Parent Handbook.
- Timely submission of paperwork as requested.
- Submission of receipts for any supplies purchased on behalf of the program in a timely manner.
Skills & Qualifications
- Time management and planning for weekly, block and annual rhythms.
- Professional written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work well with colleagues.
- A creative and open approach to living in the world.
- Love and respect for the developing child.
- Interest in an understanding of child development from the Anthroposophic view.
- Experience teaching elementary grade level/s.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
Work Hours:
- During the Posted School Year (35-36 weeks): Monday - Friday; 8:00 am - 3:45 pm
- Evening and/or weekend events during the school year may be required.
- One week before and after the school year for meetings, collaborative work and preparation.
- In-Service opportunities as scheduled
- Planning and Prep Hours during June, July and August.
Compensation and Benefits:
- Class Teachers are Full Time EXEMPT employees.
- Specific salary may be adjusted based on training and experience.
- Tuition remission for all legal children per the current employment policy based on FTE equivalency.
- Paid holidays based on the school calendar.
- Annual training and enrichment benefit based on budget allocations.
- PTO hours based on FTE equivalency (40 = full time).
- Workers Compensation, Social Security, unemployment insurance benefits per the State of Illinois.
Application:
Please send a letter of interest, resume, and a list of references to Info@Davinciwaldorf.Org.