Early Childhood Lead Teacher

Seacoast Waldorf School; Eliot (ME); On-site; USD 42,750 - 52,250; Full time

Job summary

Seacoast Waldorf School in Eliot, Maine is seeking an Early Childhood Lead Teacher to create a nurturing learning environment for children aged 18 months to 6 years. The ideal candidate will have Waldorf education experience and the ability to work collaboratively with faculty and parents.

This position requires a bachelor's degree, a Waldorf teaching certificate, and the enthusiasm to support children's social and academic learning. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to the given email or mailing address.

Qualifications

• Led early childhood classroom experience is required.
• Ability to support children's social development and learning.
• Knowledge of child psychology, especially through the anthroposophical lens.

Responsibilities

• Create a nurturing learning environment for young children.
• Prepare and support daily activities including meals and free play.
• Conduct parent conferences and write yearly reports for each child.

Skills

Enthusiasm for working with children

Good communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Ability to work collaboratively

Ability to maintain confidentiality

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in experience

Waldorf teaching certificate

Tools

CPR-First Aid training

Job description

Job Description - Early Childhood Lead Teacher

Compensation: Salary starts at $47,500 with increments for Waldorf training and experience.

Reports to: EC Chair and Pedagogical Director

Meetings: Weekly early childhood section meetings and full faculty meeting

About the Position

The lead early childhood teacher will have the support of an assistant and other lead teachers in adjoining early childhood classes and should have experience working with children from 18 months through six years old.

This position requires a deep understanding of and foundation in Waldorf early childhood education. An ideal candidate would work in concert with the full faculty, parents in the community, and with children in the classroom. Ideally, the qualified candidate would have basic knowledge of child psychology and development, in particular through the anthroposophical lens, and have the ability to support children with their social development and practical work. This will support their academic learning which lies ahead. It is the aim of the Faculty to deepen its understanding of Waldorf education and of the developing child.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain a warm and nurturing learning environment that supports the development of the children. We offer programs for children ages 18 months-3 yrs old (Toddler), 3-4 years (Nursery), 4-6 years old (Kindergarten).
• Support and lovingly tend to the bodily care for the young children in our care (toileting, dressing, and mealtimes).
• Prepare and support daily and weekly activities including a daily wholesome lunch, self-directed play time, circle time, two snacks, outside playtime, storytime, rest time, and craft or artistic activities.
• Develop weekly and seasonal rhythms for these activities for the young child.
• Work closely with the EC class assistant/s and extended day teachers.
• Prepare the older children and their parents for the grade one transition and assess first grade readiness (Kindergarten).
• Prepare and hold a minimum of two class meetings each school year, plus additional evenings.
• Write yearly reports for each child.
• Conduct parent/conferences twice a year.
• Maintain healthy communication with parents throughout the school year.
• Participate in the festival life and fundraising events.
• Attend conferences and workshops for continuing education, including the annual WECAN winter conference.
• Participate in school committee work (after the first year).
• Complete 30 hours yearly of professional training in accordance with DHHS guidelines and Maine Roads to Quality.
• Participate in the EC admissions process: hosting open houses, observing new children, meeting with enrolling families.
• Participate in weekly and monthly meetings with EC faculty.

Skills and Characteristics

• Enthusiasm for working with children.
• A warm and joyful demeanor that encourages children to feel safe and know that the world is good.
• Be an appropriate role model for the children and parents.
• Reliable and have a healthy work ethic.
• Good communication, problem‑solving and priority‑setting skills as well as maintaining an overall positive attitude.
• Consistency with expectations of children.
• Ability to work independently with initiative, and collaboratively.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.
• Ability to work with staff and families from diverse backgrounds.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree, or its equivalent in experience.
• Previous teaching experience is required.
• A Waldorf teaching certificate that is recognized by WECAN or actively on the path of certification.
• Background check through digital fingerprinting.
• An Immunization Record – Documentation of immunity against MMR, tetanus, and diphtheria or laboratory blood tests proving immunity.
• Employment Eligibility Verification (form I‑9). A social security card, driver’s license or other identification.
• Form W‑4 (Federal Tax Withholding) completed with the same name that is on the employee’s Social Security card. Form ME‑4 (State Withholding) is optional.
• CPR‑First Aid training.
• Have reliable transportation.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical abilities described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear, is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands and fingers, and is occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and move up to 50 pounds. Close vision is required for detailed work. Required work will take place outside (including hiking in the woods and walking the property) and in a classroom, and will frequently be noisy. Working with youth may require exposure to bacterial contamination.

Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and three references from people who are familiar with your work to [e-mail].

Or mail to: Seacoast Waldorf School, Attention Hiring, 403 Harold Dow Hwy, Eliot, Maine, 03903.