LEAD TEACHER - MIXED AGE KINDERGARTEN (full-time)
Orchard Valley Waldorf School is seeking a Lead Mixed Age Kindergarten teacher in one of two kindergartens in the Farmhouse at our Grace Farm Campus in East Montpelier, VT. This position works closely with lead and assistant teachers to provide an outstanding Waldorf Preschool/Kindergarten experience.
Our Kindergarten classrooms are primarily outdoors, utilizing the 55 acres of fields, forests, streams and farmland that are the backdrop for the work of the Mixed Age Kindergartens. Along with an abundance of resources in this natural setting, each Mixed Age Kindergarten class has a large play yard, beautiful farmhouse style classroom, shared yards adjacent to the building, and sheep and goats to tend to.
The lead Mixed Age Kindergarten teacher is responsible for developing and presenting a Waldorf Early Childhood curriculum that meets the developmental needs of children in the respective programs and maintains a healthy and positive social climate. The teacher maintains a guiding relationship with each individual child and responds to the evolving needs of the class as a whole. The teacher also is responsible for incorporating families into school life through regular communication, parent meetings, and conferences.
OVWS is a small, rural school set on a beautiful 55-acre campus in the heart of Vermont. We are a Waldorf school currently providing curriculum from infancy, at our year-round Sweet Clover Nursery child care, through Grade 7, sometimes working in combined classes and intending to continue through Grade 8. Specialty classes include Handwork, Woodworking, Music, Movement, Spanish (Grades 3-7) and Russian (Grade 1 and 2) and On the Land, an outdoor education program. Our campus sits on one of the upper branches of the Winooski river. Our students help care for goats and sheep as part of our impulse to deepen our connection to the natural world around us.
Our teachers and administration are expected to be working with the children and land stewardship at the center with an explicit commitment to engaging in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work both in themselves and as a faculty/staff body.
Our school is located 8 miles from Montpelier, Vermont’s capital. It's a small town with big city amenities - a lively arts and music scene, great restaurants, and an active community life.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree
Waldorf Early Childhood Teaching Certification and 12 months of teaching experience.
OR at least successful completion of twenty‐one (21) college credits with an early childhood or school age focus and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger preferably in a Waldorf setting.
Successful completion of a three (3) credit college course in program management for early care and education or for school age care and education, or in staff supervision related to early care and education of children; and a three (3) credit college course in curriculum to meet licensing regulations for the state of Vermont.
Position involves working in and outdoors. Must be able to work outside for long periods of time in changing weather conditions; i.e., rain, snow, wind and/or cold. Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds, walk over uneven terrain and have good stamina
This is a full time salaried position. Benefits include paid holidays and tuition remission. The salary range for this position is: $39,701 - $48,951.
Interested candidates are asked to submit a resume, a general letter of interest and three references to employment@ovws.org.
Orchard Valley Waldorf School is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting, retaining, and developing the most qualified employees without regard to their race, religion, gender, gender identity, disability, family status, sexual orientation or national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited by law. We are dedicated to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment, where employees are treated with respect and dignity.
