Love where you work! The Waldorf School of Princeton sits on 20 acres of beautifully tended campus, including access to a creek, forest walks, and carefully tended gardens. The campus is within easy reach of the thriving village center of Hopewell and the college town of Princeton. Further afield, New York City, Philadelphia and the Jersey Shore provide endless entertainment at weekends.

An Associate Member of the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America, the Waldorf School of Princeton is committed to providing a rich Waldorf education to all its students, from pre-K through 8th grade. In 2021, the school committed to a nine-year plan to build our school into a beacon for the local community, with a team of dedicated, well-supported, excellent educators at its heart. Since 2020, our enrollment has grown from 107 to 150 students and we are preparing for continued growth in the coming years.

We are excited to welcome new members of our team to help us on this journey. We are committed to a program of investment in professional development for our faculty.

We are seeking an Early Childhood teacher to open a third mixed age Kindergarten class, though we also welcome applications from teachers who prefer working with nursery-aged students.

Joining the Waldorf School of Princeton, you will find yourself among kindred spirits. Our faculty and staff form a supportive group, working together for the children in our care, encouraging one another to do their best work, and extending grace when we struggle.

Teachers who are not familiar with Waldorf education will be supported through the training and professional development needed to deliver our carefully crafted curriculum that meets the developmental needs of each child.

To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to Pamela Shafer, Faculty Chair, pshafer@princetonwaldorf.org

Early Childhood Teacher Job Description and Specifications

Full-time position from August 2023. Pay range from $44k to $70k commensurate with experience. The upper range represents 20 years of lead classroom experience. Health-care and 3% pension contribution included.

Role and Responsibilities

Lead a classroom of 12 to 20 students according to Waldorf principles.

Encourage the development and understanding of the value of Waldorf education among early childhood families.

Specific duties include but not necessarily limited to:

• Welcome new families to class, including making home visits
• Prepare room and materials before the start of the school year
• Maintain the play yard as an appropriate environment for children
• Maintain accurate attendance records
• Select and request ordering of materials used in the classroom
• Assume full responsibility for children during the school day
• Direct, train and support one or more classroom assistants
• Create and carry out a well-planned age-appropriate kindergarten curriculum including circle, story, practical and artistic work, puppet shows, festivals and birthday celebrations
• Maintain close communication with parents, within appropriate boundaries
• Attend and contribute to outreach and marketing events
• Interview prospective children and parents and contribute to determinations on accepting students
• Host parent/teacher conferences two times/ year
• Work with parent representatives and the Parent Caregiver Association in support of the school
• Host at least three parent meetings per year
• Offer regular written parent communication 
• Prepare festivals for the larger school community: Michaelmas, Lantern Walk,Winter Garden, etc.
• Attend weekly faculty and section meetings
• Complete tasks required by administration in relation to recordkeeping, policies, procedures
• Conduct developmental assessments of all eligible first-grade ready children
• Attend yearly EC conference

Working Conditions

We are committed to teaching outdoors in all weathers, so a willingness to work outside is essential.

The Early Childhood team works together to support one another and reports to the Faculty Chair. Mentorship is provided for new teachers.

EC teachers supervise one or more classroom assistants

Minimum Experience and Education Requirements:

One year working as a class lead in a Waldorf school OR three years working as a classroom assistant in a Waldorf school OR three years working as a class lead in another early childhood setting

Committed to taking Waldorf teacher training

Preferred Experience and Education Requirements:

Three or more years working as a class lead in a Waldorf school

Complete Waldorf teacher training

Required Skills

Ability to follow a Waldorf early childhood curriculum

Physical Requirements:

1. Lift 30lb
2. Walk with students, move between indoors and outdoors

Additional Notes

We particularly encourage applications from individuals with identities less well-represented in independent school settings