The Housatonic Valley Waldorf School is seeking for a Vocal/General Music teacher for Grades 1-8 starting in the 2023-2024 school year. This educator would be capable of cultivating a deep appreciation for music with our students that will serve as a foundation for their participation in school festivals, class plays, and concert performances. The ideal candidate will have experience with school age singers and the ability to inspire the students’ musical expression with instruments such as the pentatonic and c-flute for lower grades, recorder for 5^th grade through 8th, percussion, and ukulele. 

Job Requirements:

• A personal love for music and enjoyment of children.
• Teaching experience in a school setting with a wide range of age and grade levels.
• A willingness and commitment to build a vocal/general music and flute/ recorder curriculum for grades one through eight, based on the anthroposophical understanding of child development and in tune with the Waldorf method of teaching.
• Interpersonal skills for building collaborative relationships with parents and colleagues including excellent verbal and written communication skills.  

Preferred candidates would have:

• Teaching music experience in a school setting with a wide range of age and grade levels.
• Completed Waldorf Music Teacher Training and experience teaching in a Waldorf school.
• A deep commitment to Waldorf principles.
• Priority will be given to candidates with a strong interest or background in expanding and supporting initiatives related to diversity and equity.

General Responsibilities:

• Build a vocal/general music curriculum for grades one through eight, based on the anthroposophical understanding of child development and in tune with the Waldorf method of teaching which would include singing and musical instruments such as the recorder, ukulele and general percussion. 
• Prepare students Grades 4-8 for two annual Concerts in collaboration with the Strings and Orchestra Teacher. Concerts should be a maximum of 1½ hours in length.
• Music brought to HVWS students should come from one of the following sources:
• Waldorf music sources;
• folk music of various cultures and traditions, in accordance with the Grades curriculum where possible;
• the classical repertoire, from ancient to modern.
• For the middle school (grades 6-8), other sources may be considered. In case of uncertainty, the class teacher should be consulted.

Classroom Responsibilities:

All part-time teachers are responsible for the following:

• Have a “research attitude” toward the profession, with ongoing inward striving through both formal training and personal study in order to understand more about the curriculum and child development. The aim is to develop an inner source of strength through a meditation practice as a foundation out of which the pedagogical work may be done.
• Achieve a balance between maintaining your individual integrity and acknowledging the needs of the community.
• Communicate with class teachers/ parents when needed and appropriate.
• Address conflicts and interpersonal problems in accordance with the HVWS Code of Conduct and Discipline Policy.
• Keep accurate records of
• lesson plans and outcomes.
• children’s physical, emotional and intellectual capacities, abilities and achievements.
• Prepare individualized end-of-year progress reports by the designated deadline, and other reports regarding students as decided by Faculty.
• Commit time for parent-teacher conferences as needed, during regularly scheduled days in both November and March.
• Attend parent evenings as requested by class teachers.
• Record and submit classroom expenses, staying within the limits of the specialty teacher class budget.
• Submit supply order for the following school year by the designated deadline.

School/ Community responsibilities: 

• Commit to community education by attending lectures, workshops, conferences and faculty study in order to deepen your understanding of Waldorf pedagogy
• Participate in all faculty professional development days.
• Participate in peer review, observations, regular peer meetings and self-evaluations as outlined in Staff Development Guidelines.
• Attend workdays before and after the student school year, as required.
• Supervise children when they are playing outside, according to posted sign-up schedule. Find a replacement for yourself when you are unable to fulfill this duty.
• Attend Faculty Meetings and Grade School Meetings, including participation in the educational process of all students through child studies.
• Serve on Faculty committees. First-year teachers are excused from this responsibility.
• Participate in the greater Waldorf community, finding ways to share activities with other schools; keep up with AWSNA news.
• Attend and support school festivals and other all-school events when possible.
• Uphold the Long-Range Plan.
• Our school prides itself on supporting all staff members in developing good interpersonal communication skills, to conduct self-evaluations, and to set goals for the year. The Staff Development Committee supports professional training and workshops and provides mentoring support where needed.

Time Involvement:

This is a part-time (20-25 hours/week) position. It follows the established school calendar.

Hiring and Termination:

By the College of Teachers and HVWS Board of Trustees, as outlined in the Teacher Search Guidelines for hiring and the Staff Development Guidelines for termination.

Supervision and Evaluation:

Conducted as outlined in the Staff Development Guidelines.

To apply:

Housatonic Valley Waldorf School is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on religion, national origin, color, race, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or physical disability in our programs and activities or in our hiring, admissions, financial aid, or scholarship practices and policies.

We offer a competitive salary, tuition remission, and additional benefits plan. Interested candidates should send their resume, cover letter, a brief biographical sketch, and three letters of reference to teachersearch@waldorfct.org or mail to: Housatonic Valley Waldorf School 40 Dodgingtown Road Newtown, CT 06470 Attn: Teacher Search Committee 

About Housatonic Valley Waldorf School:

HVWS is a Pre-K through Eighth Grade school, with three Early Childhood classes, Parent-Child classes, and an active Summer Camp. The school has a peaceful and joyful atmosphere, with professionally Lazure-painted classrooms and spacious playgrounds. Specialty classes for First through Eighth Grades include Spanish, German, Handwork, Eurythmy, Music, Strings, Folk Dance, Spatial Dynamics, Recorder Ensemble, and Clay. Our vibrant and warm community sponsors Anthroposophical study groups, fairs, festivals, handwork groups, and parenting workshops.

HVWS was founded in 1989 and is accredited by AWSNA, NCPSA, WECAN, and CAIS. We are more than 25 years old and entering an exciting phase of our growth and development, with a collaborative faculty and a strong, supportive Board of Trustees. HVWS is part of the Newtown community in the Housatonic River Valley, which is rich in history. With some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Northeast, there are many forests, nature preserves, farms, lakes and rivers for our students to explore and enjoy. We're close to New York City and the Berkshire Mountains with their sophisticated cultural environments, as well as Anthroposophical communities in Spring Valley, NY; Harlemville, NY; and Great Barrington, MA.

You can learn more about our school at www.waldorfct.org

 1-2023