Interim Early Childhood Lead Teacher

Brooklyn Waldorf School • New York, NY

71d • Onsite

About The Position

The Brooklyn Waldorf School (BWS) is seeking an Interim Early Childhood Lead Teacher to guide a class of young children through a nurturing, play-based Waldorf program. This role involves partnering with a Support Teacher to create a warm, rhythmic classroom environment. The teacher will lead daily curriculum planning and delivery, communicate regularly with families, and help carry forward BWS's mission of educating the whole child during this interim appointment. BWS is a vibrant school in Bedford-Stuyvesant, founded in 2005, serving over 160 students from pre-K to grade 8. The school's educational philosophy, based on Rudolf Steiner's principles, integrates critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and the arts, aiming to develop students as agents of change. The faculty is diverse, with teachers forming deep relationships with students over time by caring for them as whole individuals.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and experience as a teacher (required); Waldorf experience highly preferred.
• A love of children ages 2-6 and a deep desire to support their growth through observation and collaboration.
• Previous Waldorf training and/or a willingness to take Waldorf courses within the first few years of employment; professional development funding is available to partially offset associated costs.
• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for significant periods of time, use staircases often, and lift up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to be outdoors with children in all seasons.
• Musical and artistic ability.
• Enthusiasm, flexibility, and a warm demeanor.
• A strong connection to and appreciation for nature.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with an ability to connect with children, parents, and colleagues.
• Physical stamina and enthusiasm for spending significant time outdoors in various weather conditions and walking up to 2 miles.
• Dedication to fostering a Waldorf pedagogy that moves beyond European-centric perspectives and prioritizes a diverse, multicultural curriculum.

Nice To Haves

• Waldorf experience highly preferred.
• Previous Waldorf training and/or a willingness to take Waldorf courses within the first few years of employment

Responsibilities

• Create an engaging, play-based Waldorf Early Childhood curriculum focused on nurturing the whole child - intellectually, emotionally, and physically - through a balance of structured activities and creative play.
• Oversee daily classroom operations and guide and support the class Support Teacher.
• Maintain accurate student records.
• Prepare student end-of-year reports for parents in accordance with school policies.
• Write bi-weekly newsletters updating parents on class activities.
• Establish and maintain positive and professional relationships with students, parents, teachers, and other school personnel.

Benefits

• Full-time faculty, interim long-term substitute appointment for the 2026-2027 term.
• Competitive salary, commensurate with relevant experience.
• Medical and dental health insurance coverage.
• Retirement.
• Flexible spending.
• Metrocards, where applicable.
• Opportunities for professional development.
• Reduced tuition for dependents.
• Childcare during faculty meetings and parent-teacher conferences.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level