Early Childhood Assistant Teacher to begin August 2025

Maine Coast Waldorf School; Freeport (ME); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

Maine Coast Waldorf School is seeking an Afternoon Assistant to provide support in early childhood education from 11:00 am to 3:15 pm. The role involves assisting lead teachers, maintaining classroom environments, and participating in school events. A strong commitment to the philosophy of Waldorf Education and an ability to work cooperatively within our community are essential.

Benefits

Up to 50% tuition remission

Qualifications

• Experience supporting classroom activities.
• Willingness to assist with children’s needs.
• Participation in childcare-related events.

Responsibilities

• Support lead teachers in early childhood activities.
• Maintain cleanliness in classroom areas.
• Assist with children’s personal care, including dressing and hygiene.

Skills

Supportive presence

Child development understanding

Ability to lift 40 pounds

Job description

General Summary:

Provide support to lead teacher(s) in implementing a Waldorf Early Childhood curriculum consistent with the indications given by Rudolf Steiner and the principles of Waldorf Education, while satisfying the school’s standards for competence and effectiveness in teaching.

Essential Job Responsibilities include, but not limited to:

• Be a supportive caring presence in accordance to our philosophy of child development for the children in our care
• Provide support to lead teacher(s) in creating an appropriate environment and program to the children in our care

The specific aspects of this work will be determined and clearly communicated via the lead teachers and EC branch chair, but may include the following:

• Preparing food for snack and/or lunch
• Providing classroom and program support
• Assisting children with going to the bathroom and/or changing diapers or soiled clothing as needed
• Helping children get dressed for outside play
• Maintaining order and cleanliness in classroom and common areas of the EC building
• Cleaning and preparing rooms/spaces for the next school day, with tasks such as vacuuming, dish washing, food preparation and storage, dusting, and laundry.
• Working with colleagues to support and monitor safe and healthy outdoor play

Additional expectations:

• Know, represent and uphold the school’s rules and standards for conduct for yourself and the children, as outlined in the MCWS Employee Handbook and the Early Childhood Handbook;
• Participate in weekly mentoring and/or Early Childhood Branch meetings 1 hour/week additional;
• Work cooperatively and support other EC faculty and the department as a whole. Be an upstanding, integral member of our community.
• Accurately record and report hours worked to the Business Office for payroll purposes
• Must be able to easily lift up to 40 pounds and be prepared to work outside with young children during all seasons of the year.
• Provide childcare during Parent/Teacher conferences and Professional Development days.

Approximate Working Hours:

11:00am–3:15pm Afternoon Assistant

Additional Hours:

• Early Childhood Department Meetings—1 hour per week, day to be determined
• School Festivals,Fairs and events as needed including:
• Michaelmas Gardening Day, Fall Fair, Lantern Walk, Winter Garden, May Faire,
• Parent Evenings—up to 4 per year
• Faculty In-Service Work Days—the week before school begins
• Professional Week at the end of the school year
• Branch Retreat scheduled in June after school ends

Compensation and Benefits:

$22.12/hour and up to 50% remission available.

Maine Coast Waldorf School is committed to enriching its educational experience and culture through the diversity of our faculty and staff. We actively seek systemically excluded communities in our applicant pool, including but not limited to BIPOC and/or LGBTQIAP2+ candidates.

Maine Coast Waldorf School strives to promote social justice. We are committed to affirming people of all religions, spiritual values, countries of origin, immigration statuses, races, genders, abilities, identities, and sexual orientations. MCWS is a multicultural, pluralistic community; we embrace diversity as a core strength of our community and seek to make our curriculum and policies as inclusive as possible. MCWS does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation and national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational programs, hiring, self-government, admissions, financial aid and all other school-related activities, and emphatically rejects discrimination in all its forms.

To Apply: Please send a letter of introduction, your resume, and three professional references to David Eichler, Pedagogical Director, at [e-mail].

Full member of the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)

Maine Coast Waldorf School

57 Desert Road, Freeport, Maine 04032

207-865-3900www.mainecoastwaldorf.org