Director of Education (Early Childhood- Grade 3)

Linden Waldorf School

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Job Summary

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

Linden Waldorf School​ serves Early Childhood through 8th Grades.
We envision a thriving intergenerational and diverse community of lifelong learners dedicated to fostering the ideals of Waldorf education with the intention of cultivating the intellectual curiosity, moral consciousness, and physical well-being of our students, families, and the greater community.
Linden Waldorf School’s mission is to provide education that honors the developmental stages of childhood, cultivates a love of learning, and addresses the whole child through the head, hands, and heart.
We value Waldorf education and participating in its evolution; building on the foundation of Rudolf Steiner’s insights into child development and actively working to keep the education relevant to our time and place.
We value education that is developmentally appropriate, addresses the whole child, is academically challenging and fosters a lifelong love of learning.
We value a thriving community built on the ideals of peace, joy, cooperation, collegiality, financial responsibility, diversity, integrity and respect.
We value a deep connection with nature that nurtures wonder and reverence for the world around us. We value bio-dynamic agriculture and other forms of environmental stewardship that create a sustainable path into the future.
We value a welcoming learning environment where faculty and staff strive to bring students to an understanding and experience of the common humanity of all the world’s people – transcending stereotypes, prejudices, and divisive barriers.
DESCRIPTION

This job description indicates the general duties and physical requirements of work performed by the employee with this job designation. It should not be interpreted or construed as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and physical requirements required of the employee assigned to this job, as these might vary from day to day or as business needs demand.

This position reports to the Head of School. The Director of Education is hired by the Head of School in consultation with the Faculty Leadership Council (FLC). This position acts in a fiduciary capacity under the following four overarching guidelines for the school:

1. Pedagogical
2. Fiscal
3. Strategic
4. Legal

Key Contributions
The Director of Education supports the faculty in all planning, implementation, and management of day-to-day affairs related to classroom and pedagogical decisions at Linden Waldorf School. This person works from a foundation built upon Rudolf Steiner’s anthroposophical view of the child and insights into child development to maintain Waldorf education’s relevance in today’s world. In addition to having a widely visible presence throughout the school, the Director of Education oversees teacher professional development and is available to answer questions about the curriculum from parents and the greater community. This person holds the “big” pedagogical picture by keeping a finger on the pulse of the teachers’ work with the children and parents, communicating key information between groups and decision-makers, and guiding and working with the faculty to study and deepen understanding of Waldorf pedagogy and the children. The Director of Education and Director of Administration work in conjunction with the faculty to uphold and improve school policies and procedures, address new opportunities and challenges, and lead the community in carrying out the mission, vision, and values of the school. Together with the Head of School, they foster the advancement of the school and the pursuit of strategic plan goals.

 

Job Responsibilities

Assigned Responsibilities
Teaching and Curriculum

• Holds the “big” pedagogical picture in conjunction with the Faculty Leadership Council (FLC), guiding and working with the faculty to study and deepen knowledge and understanding of the indications of Dr. Rudolf Steiner, Waldorf pedagogy, child development, and the curriculum
• Supervises and supports faculty in reviewing and implementing the curriculum scope and sequence
• In conjunction with the FLC, supports teachers through professional development and mentoring
• Observes teachers and provides constructive feedback
• Supervises the scheduling of internal and external mentors to the faculty
• Supervises the coordination of visiting block teachers for upper grades blocks, according to handbook requirements
• Supports teachers in their work with children and with parents as needed/requested
• Along with the FLC, supervises and supports Student Support
• Attends support circle meetings as needed
• Attends support circle meetings when the parent is a school employee
• In the case of a threshold event, works in conjunction with Student Support, the class teacher, and the Director of Administration to determine and effectuate appropriate consequences
• In conjunction with the FLC and the Finance Committee, supports program changes or initiatives
• Attends weekly faculty meetings
• Attends section (Early Childhood, Lower Grades, Upper Grades, Subjects) meetings as needed
• Is a member of the faculty and performs all regularly assigned duties of other full-time faculty.
• Serves as the faculty representative on the administrative team and, as such:
• Provides it with pedagogical guidance
• Works with the Director of Administration to build and adjust the daily schedule
• Oversees the implementation of standardized testing/grading/skills rubrics to assess student learning
• Supports the pedagogical aspect of festival life and the school calendar
• Facilitates the flow of information between faculty and administration

Personnel Management

• Oversees the faculty external evaluation, internal evaluation, self-evaluation, and annual review processes
• Implements faculty professional improvement plans (PIP)
• Together with the FLC and with support from the Director of Administration, initiates action when necessary to reprimand, discipline, suspend, or dismiss a teacher during the school year
• Mediates disagreements between faculty
• Supervises the pedagogical support staff
• Supervises hiring committees, serving on them when necessary
• In conjunction with administration, supervises onboarding of all faculty
• Oversees faculty requests for leave and expenditures, in conjunction with budget approval

Community Relations and Strategic Development
In conjunction with the Director of Administration:

• Enforces school policies and rules
• Co-supervises the accreditation process
• Supports the Faculty Leadership Council (FLC) in carrying out its responsibilities as stated in the FLC Mandate
• As a member of the leadership team:
• Represents the school at assemblies and other public events, and maintains a visible and accessible presence to the school and greater community
• Represents the school to the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA), Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS), other Waldorf organizations, and state and regional education association
• Is active in strategic planning and maintaining a long-term perspective on the development of the school and its programs
• Counsels/guides the Parent Alliance in pedagogical issues

 

Qualifications

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in education or a related field
• At least two years of teaching experience in a Waldorf school
• Belief in the mission, vision, and values of Linden Waldorf School and the philosophy of Waldorf education
• Commitment to completing a Waldorf leadership training program and/or ongoing professional development related to Waldorf education and leadershipPreferred Qualifications
• Master’s degree
• Waldorf teacher certification
• Commitment to studying anthroposophy
• Core Competencies
• Ability to lead and inspire others
• Strong decision-making skills
• Trustworthy
• Superior planning, organization, prioritization, and oral and written communication skills
• Ability see the “big picture” and also to put things in perspective
• Ability to coordinate multiple projects and issues
• Strong time-management skills
• Highly organized and attentive to detail
• Strong follow-up skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse individuals
• Ability to maintain strict protocols regarding confidentiality
• Experienced in working out diplomatic solutions to problems involving more than one party
• Ability to analyze, interpret, summarize, and present data
• Physical Job Requirements
  Must be able to:
• Remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time, standing or sitting
• Move about to reach and/or access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Constantly/occasionally operate a computer and other office machinery
• Ascend/descend stairs and traverse campus
• Position self as needed, including bending, crouching, kneeling, lifting, and reaching
• Lift up to 40 pounds
• Frequently communicate with students, parents, colleagues, and leadership
• Work in various outdoor weather conditions for extended periods of time

It is the policy of Linden Waldorf School to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, disability, status as a covered veteran, or any other legally protected status, in accordance with federal and state law, and not to discriminate onthe basis of sexual orientation. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, compensation, benefits, promotion, demotion, layoff, termination, and all other terms and
conditions of employment.

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

 

Additional Information

Benefits

How to Apply

All interested candidates should email their resumes to krichardson@lindenwaldorf.org.

Details

• Date Posted: November 30, 2021
• Type: Full-Time
• Job Function: Administrative
• Service Area: Education
• Working Hours: 7:45-3:30