Lower School Director

Come work at Portland Waldorf School! We are welcoming applications for a full-time Lower School Director in the 2023-24 school year. This position is an integral part of the school’s Early Childhood and Grades Programs, as well as the leadership team.

We are a school of teachers and staff who love their craft and are enthusiastic about engaging students. We are committed to working collaboratively with colleagues and the parent community to create an educational environment aligned with Waldorf pedagogy, our school mission, and program goals. We value self- development, educational equity, and inclusion. We seek peers who have a willingness to participate in ongoing work related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. Candidates who are trained, experienced, and dedicated to Waldorf education, working out of Anthroposophy, are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities:

·       Supervise all faculty in Early Childhood, Grades, and Auxiliary sections, including: mentoring, performance evaluations and performance improvement plans, time off requests and leaves of absence requests, and conflict resolution.

·       Oversee Early Childhood and Grades Pedagogy -- working with School Director, College, Student Support, and Auxiliary Programs Director to ensure curriculum meets Waldorf pedagogy and appropriate child development needs.

·       Oversee the health of Early Childhood and Grades students -- working with teachers, student support, staff, and parents to ensure academic, behavior, and social/emotional success of students. Address student discipline and implement behavior improvement plans as needed.

·       Oversee day-to-day operations of the Early Childhood, Grades, and Auxiliary Programs sections - working with School Director, Leadership Team, faculty, finance, hiring, enrollment, marketing, communications, auxiliary programs, athletic director, operations, and facilities to ensure timely, efficient, and smooth daily operations of classes, activities, programs, and school events.

Requirements:

·       Bachelor’s degree and Waldorf teacher training certificate

·       Commitment to Anthroposophy and Waldorf education

·       Understanding of child development

·       At least 8 years of Waldorf teaching experience

·       Licensed by the State of Oregon, Early Learning Division in Oregon Central Background Registry and all necessary trainings and certifications

·       Ability to work collaboratively with other faculty and staff to support the mission of Portland Waldorf School

Skills:

·       Ability to work well with children, parents, and colleagues

·       Excellent organization, communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills

·       Reliable and punctual, well-organized and efficient

·       Interest in continued personal and professional development, innovation, and renewal

This is a full-time, year-round, exempt position and salary is dependent upon education and experience. Benefits offered include health insurance, retirement plan, tuition remission, paid time off, mentoring, and professional development opportunities. Please send a brief one-page letter of interest, resume, and three professional references, including phone numbers and e-mail addresses (in PDF format only) to hiring@portlandwaldorf.org.

About Portland Waldorf School

Portland Waldorf School was founded in 1982 and is fully accredited through AWSNA. We serve over 300 students from early childhood through grade twelve on a beautiful seven-acre campus in downtown Milwaukie, just 20 minutes from downtown Portland.

Portland Waldorf School is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, age, gender, or any protected class. We acknowledge that a diversity of ethnicities, nationalities, socioeconomic backgrounds, gender expressions, sexual orientations, learning differences, and life experiences within our community enhance our school’s learning environment, and we are committed to cultivating equity and inclusion. We are seeking individuals who are committed to self-development, educational equity and inclusion, and have a willingness to participate in ongoing work related to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice. People of color and others underrepresented in our community are encouraged to apply.