1st Grade Teacher - 2026-2027

Shining Mountain Waldorf School; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 50,765 - 62,046; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive employee benefit program

Tuition remission for enrolled children

3 personal days

7 sick days each school year

Job summary

Shining Mountain Waldorf School in Boulder, Colorado is seeking a Waldorf-trained first grade teacher to rotate through the first five grades. The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree, Waldorf training, and experience in teaching. Responsibilities include teaching core subjects, maintaining classroom order, and engaging with the community.

The position offers a competitive salary of $56,406 plus comprehensive benefits including medical and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• A minimum of four years of teaching experience preferred.
• Demonstrated teaching capacity in experiential and project-based learning.
• Strong commitment to continued learning and best practices.

Responsibilities

• Teach morning lesson curriculum as a responsible class teacher.
• Oversee classroom activities and maintain an organized environment.
• Guide and supervise students through daily transitions.

Skills

Ability to work well with students and colleagues

Commitment to equity and inclusion

Organizational skills

Computer skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in education

Waldorf teaching training

Job description

Shining Mountain Waldorf School is seeking a Waldorf-trained, experienced first grade class teacher continuing with their class rotation through the fifth grade. A detailed job description is included below.

Shining Mountain Waldorf School is located in beautiful Boulder, Colorado, at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains providing a stunning natural backdrop for learning and community. It is a pre-kindergarten through twelfth-grade school offering a comprehensive Waldorf education. Our lower school curriculum includes two world languages, as well as woodworking, handwork, movement, instrumental and orchestral music, chorus, and a wide range of fine arts. Our high school features a robust STEAM program alongside a rich fine and practical arts curriculum, including painting, drawing, sculpture, pottery, printmaking, digital arts, photography, and blacksmithing. The high school also offers a vibrant choir and theater program. Together, these disciplines support and deepen students’ engagement in science, mathematics, Spanish, and the humanities.

Shining Mountain is accredited by the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA) and the Association of Colorado Independent Schools (ACIS). Our faculty represents a rich diversity of life experiences and brings expertise as Waldorf educators. We are supported by a strong administrative team and an engaged Board and Parent Community Association.

Shining Mountain has two lower school rotations, one for first through fifth grade and one for sixth through eighth grade. This position will begin in first grade and rotate through the first five grades. A bachelor’s degree or more advanced degree and Waldorf training are required. Experience in Waldorf classroom teaching is preferred.

Position Summary

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.

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

• 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.

Education and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education or specified subject area preferred.
• A minimum of four years of teaching experience preferred.
• Waldorf teaching 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.

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.

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 in the 2026‑2027 school year will be $56,406 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).

Physical Requirements

• 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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.

This job is contingent upon the completion of a successful background check.