Handwork Teacher

Emerson Waldorf School

Chapel Hill (NC)

On-site

USD 41,500 - 50,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

10 days paid leave (sick/personal)

Tuition remission

403(b) retirement program

Professional development funds

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Emerson Waldorf School in Chapel Hill, NC seeks a Handwork Teacher to lead handcraft education for Grades 1–8 within a Waldorf framework. The teacher will design and implement age-appropriate activities in knitting, crochet, sewing, and other fiber arts, aligned to the school's program goals and values.

The ideal candidate has Waldorf training, anthroposophical understanding of child development, and a collaborative spirit to work with engaged colleagues, students, and families.

Qualifications

Experience with Waldorf handwork education for grades 1–8.
Strong understanding of Waldorf pedagogy and anthroposophy.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to collaborate with colleagues and parents.
Ability to manage a classroom and budget for supplies.

Responsibilities

Plan and implement handwork curriculum aligned with Waldorf pedagogy.
Develop block, weekly, and daily lesson outlines.
Present daily lessons reflecting Waldorf methods.
Provide age-appropriate assignments and timely feedback.
Complete progress reports and maintain classroom space.
Oversee budget and procurement of materials.
Collaborate with Educational Support for student needs.
Engage with families through regular updates and conferences.

Skills

Child development

Waldorf pedagogy

Communication

Team collaboration

Classroom management

Education

Waldorf teaching certification

AWSNA-affiliated training

Job description

Responsible To: Grades Chair

Hours/week: 40 hours per week

Employment Classification: Exempt (Salaried)

Summary

The Handwork Teacher leads age-appropriate handwork education for Grades 1-8 students, including lessons in knitting, crochet, sewing, cross-stitch, felting, and other fiber arts. They understand Waldorf pedagogy and have an anthroposophical understanding of child development. They are committed to collaborating with innovative and engaged colleagues to create an educational environment aligned with Emerson Waldorf School’s program goals, mission, vision, and values.

About the School

A premier preK-12 independent day school, Emerson Waldorf School has a beautiful 54-acre wooded campus located in Chapel Hill, NC. Situated among forest, fields, and hills, the school’s classrooms, studios, outdoor amphitheater, athletic field, and working farm provide an ideal environment for indoor-outdoor, multisensory education. Founded in 1984, the school has grown from a small handful of students to a robust welcoming community with creative and talented faculty and staff.

Emerson Waldorf School is accredited with the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA) and Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS). EWS also maintains membership with Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America (WECAN) and North Carolina Association of Independent Schools (NCAIS).

Job Responsibilities

CLASSROOM RESPONSIBILITIES

Plan and implement subject curriculum for for the year that is aligned with Waldorf pedagogy and EWS curriculum guidelines
Develop written block, weekly and/or daily lesson outline in accordance with the subject curriculum.
Present daily subject lessons in a way that reflects the principles of Waldorf methodology.
Assign age-appropriate work that will give the students ample opportunity both to solidify lesson content and to practice skills.
Give timely feedback on student work and allow opportunity for refinement and improvement.
Complete interim and final progress reports
Maintain physical classroom space
Perform non-teaching duties such as playground supervision, pick-up, and drop-off supervision, and substitution duties, all as scheduled.
Oversee Subject budget annually, including purchasing and maintaining equipment and materials as needed.
Manage classroom behavior and discipline
Collaborate with colleagues to support each child’s healthy development and well-being.
Assess the evolving needs of each child in the class. Consult with the Educational Support Coordinator, make referrals as needed and implement agreed-upon support plans.
Collaborate in student support plan meetings and implementation, in conjunction with the Student Support Team
Build a healthy working relationship with parents to bridge school life and family culture.
Offer Parent-Teacher Conferences 2x/year.
Facilitate professional, warm, and clear communication with parents and colleagues.
Maintain regular communication with families through written updates

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

Attend all required meetings (Subject Teacher, Grades faculty, Full Colleague, In-service days, and workweek).
Participate in committee work as needed.
Represent the program to parents, other professionals, and the public as needed.
Work with a mentor or speaking partner regularly.
Engage in professional development opportunities and reflective practice to continuously enhance teaching skills and knowledge of child development and stay current with Waldorf grades education as it evolves.
Support Admissions with the enrollment process.
Contribute as requested to the continual updating of the school’s curriculum document and collaborate with faculty to develop the curriculum.
Maintain CPR/First Aid Certification and Mandated Reporter Training.
Represent EWS professionally and comply with school policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee Handbook and Family Handbook.

Skills & Qualifications

CORE COMPETENCIES

A deep interest in child development as seen through the lens of the work of Rudolf Steiner, founder of Waldorf education
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Patience, empathy, and the ability to establish positive relationships with students, colleagues, and parents
Flexibility and adaptability to work in a dynamic educational environment
Self-motivated, willingness to be a team player, and has a strong sense of personal responsibility

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

We welcome all applications. Our ideal candidate is an experienced Waldorf Handwork teacher trained at an AWSNA-affiliated institute who has solid, demonstrated classroom skills working with grade school students, the ability to work with diverse learning needs, a deep understanding of the Waldorf pedagogy, and a serious lifelong commitment to anthroposophy and education. A college degree is a necessity, and post-graduate studies are preferred.

OTHER

Able to lift up to 25 lbs
Have mobility required to ensure safety of children and to navigate wooded areas and uneven dirt paths
Work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions
Have visual and hearing capabilities that allow consistent supervision of childrenAbility to work on-site; position is not eligible for remote/hybrid work
Ability to successfully pass and maintain all background checks
Ability to successfully attend training for and maintain First Aid & CPR certification

Salary Range