Assistant Early Childhood Teacher

The Woodland School; Amherst (VA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Job summary

The Woodland School in Virginia invites applications for a Full-Time Assistant Teacher to join our founding faculty for Fall 2026. The 12‑month salaried position runs 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with health benefits.

The Assistant supports the Lead Teacher in supervising children aged 2 to 6 and helps create a warm, developmentally appropriate classroom. Prior child care experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• Prior experience caring for young children preferred.
• Experience in Waldorf or nature-based early childhood education is welcome but not required.
• Waldorf teacher training will be provided during professional development workshops.

Responsibilities

• Supervise children to ensure safety and comfort.
• Support Lead Teacher during whole-class activities and model desired behavior.
• Maintain welcoming, clean, and orderly classroom and playground.
• Supervise free play, nature walks, gardening, arts and crafts.
• Assist with diapering and bathroom needs.
• Communicate warmly with families and fellow faculty.
• Participate in faculty meetings and training, meet PD requirements, maintain certifications.
• Attend occasional evening and weekend events.
• Contribute to the well-being of The Woodland School.

Skills

Caring

Dependable

Imaginative play

Waldorf education exposure

Job description

The Woodland School is building a faculty of teachers who share a deep respect for childhood and understand the importance of imaginative play.

If you see yourself as a loving caregiver with a genuine interest in constantly seeking what young children need from you; if you are imaginative, can carry a tune, and are willing to learn new skills, memorize poems, and spend long hours exploring the woods, then please consider joining us.

Our teachers are required to attend Waldorf teacher training, which will be provided during professional development workshops throughout the school year both at The Woodland School and at Waldorf teacher training institutes.

We are currently seeking caring, dependable educators to join our founding faculty for our anticipated opening in Fall 2026.

The Woodland School is currently completing the licensing process to become a Child Day Center. Employment start dates will be coordinated with the school’s opening date following licensure.

Full-Time Assistant Teacher

Position:Assistant Teacher

Status:Full-Time, salaried with health benefits. This is a 12-month position.

Schedule:7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The Assistant Teacher’s primary responsibility is the supervision of children to ensure their safety and comfort. The Assistant provides support to the Lead Teacher by focusing children during whole-class activities such as games and stories and by modelling the kind of behavior and speech we want the children to imitate.

Prior experience caring for young children is preferred. Experience in Waldorf education, nature-based education, or early childhood education, is welcome but is not required.

Responsibilities include:

• Supporting children in developing independence, social skills, and healthy daily rhythms by working out of the Waldorf philosophy of the education of the young child. While experience with Waldorf education is not required for this position, it is expected that all faculty will work toward understanding the Waldorf approach and to incorporating it into their work at The Woodland School;
• Supporting the Lead Teacher in the daily care and supervision of children ages 2 to 6;
• Helping prepare and maintain a welcoming, clean, and orderly classroom and playground;
• Supervising free play, nature walks, gardening, arts, crafts, and other activities;
• Assisting children with diapering and bathroom needs;
• Communicating warmly and professionally with families and fellow faculty;
• Helping maintain classroom materials, shared spaces, and the outdoor environment;
• Participating in all required faculty meetings, engaging with an assigned mentor, undergoing Waldorf teacher training, meeting state-defined annual professional development requirements, and maintaining required certifications (Medication Administration Training, First Aid and CPR, etc.);
• Attending occasional evening and weekend events in support of the school and its culture, including parent-teacher evenings, open houses, festivals, and fundraising events;
• Contributing to the well-being of The Woodland School at all times.