Preschool Lead Teacher (Partial Forest Day Program)

Potomac Crescent Waldorf School; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Child tuition discounts

Health insurance options

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

A private educational institution in Alexandria is seeking an experienced preschool lead teacher for the 2026-2027 school year. The ideal candidate will have a background in Waldorf education and will be responsible for leading a classroom of young children, developing curricula, and ensuring a supportive learning environment. Strong communication skills and collaboration with faculty are essential. Benefits include competitive salary, health insurance options, and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Waldorf early childhood teacher training program recognized by WECAN.
• Relevant early childhood teaching experience preferred.
• Openness to training and mentoring.

Responsibilities

• Lead a class of 3- to 4-year-old children.
• Create and implement an engaging curriculum.
• Collaborate with other early childhood teachers.

Skills

Strong social and communication skills

Ability to work collaboratively

Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

Education

Completed Waldorf early childhood teacher training program

Experience in early childhood teaching

Job description

Potomac Crescent Waldorf School is seeking a preschool lead teacher for the 2026-2027 school year to join our dedicated faculty and vibrant community at our newly renovated school in historic Old Town Alexandria.

Responsibilities

The preschool lead teacher leads a class of 3‑ to 4‑year‑old children. The class meets Monday‑Friday during the school year from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with outdoor forest days on Thursdays and Fridays. The early childhood department lead teachers rotate coverage of lunch until 1:00 p.m. and back‑up coverage of the afternoon program until 3:00 p.m. when needed, but otherwise have time on campus until 3:00 p.m. for class preparation, faculty collaboration and parent work.

• Creating a plan for the year centering around an understanding of the year’s seasonal progression and festivals;
• Planning a curriculum that nurtures healthy child development throughout the early childhood years and provides a strong foundation for kindergarten and first grade. This includes a progression of complexity and ability related to circles, self‑control, coordination, and healthy movement;
• Working collaboratively with the other early childhood teachers;
• Planning, carrying out, and reviewing the program and activities on a day‑to‑day basis;
• Working closely with class parents through regular communication and by scheduling, organizing, and hosting four parent evening meetings and two parent‑teacher conferences during the year;
• Keeping records of attendance and student progress;
• With the help of the assistant, maintaining the classroom in a neat and orderly fashion;
• Meeting with new students and their families before the school year, either at their home or at the school;
• Writing narrative reports for each child in their class at the end of the school year.

The lead teacher will meet with the assistant teacher at least weekly for planning and review to ensure a meaningful classroom role for the assistant. Collaborative work with the assistant teacher is essential for a healthy class environment.

As an active member of the school’s faculty, the lead teacher participates in weekly faculty meetings, early childhood department meetings, and committee work and must be able to work collaboratively with colleagues. The lead teacher will work with the enrollment administrators and the early childhood teachers to admit families into the early childhood program. Attendance at school events, admissions events, and festival celebrations is required.

Qualifications

We are seeking candidates who have completed a Waldorf early childhood teacher training program recognized by WECAN and have early childhood teaching experience. We will also consider candidates who are enrolled in a Waldorf early childhood teacher training program recognized by WECAN or have Waldorf early childhood teaching experience and are receptive to training and mentoring. The ideal candidate will also have strong social and communication skills, a love for children and teaching, and the ability to be active indoors and outdoors with the children in all safe weather conditions. A commitment to our principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice and a willingness to participate in ongoing work related to this is essential.

Benefits

PCWS offers a collaborative work environment with dedicated faculty, competitive salaries, and a benefits package that includes recognition of Waldorf teacher training and experience, child tuition discounts and health insurance options. We value ongoing professional development for all teachers and support new lead teachers with mentoring. This position is exempt.

Apply

We look forward to receiving your application! Applications can be submitted on the employment page of our school website at www.PotomacWaldorf.org/employment. Candidates are also welcome to contact us with questions at [e-mail].