Grades Class Teacher
Grades Class Teacher
Job Category: Lower School: Grades 1-5 and Middle School: Grades 6-8
Opening Statement
The teacher will plan, organize, and implement appropriate instruction that follows our school curriculum, which is rooted in Waldorf pedagogy and embraces today’s culture in a manner that is inclusive, compassionate, and nurturing. The class teacher serves as the leader of the class community and oversees its educational, social, and practical functions. As a RWS teacher, you will work closely and collaboratively with colleagues, parents, and administrators to create a learning environment that guides and encourages students to develop and fulfill their academic and personal potential. This job is for the 2025/2026 school year.
About
Richmond Waldorf School was founded in 1996 with a passion for providing children a holistic education that falls in alignment with their natural human development through hands-on, nature-rich, and play-based experiences. We are dedicated to providing a learning environment that cultivates creative thinking, genuine inquiry, and a love of learning. RWS has grown from a single Kindergarten classroom to a campus that serves over 185 students from Pre-K through 8th grade. Our specialty program includes Movement Arts, Russian, Spanish, Biking, Handwork, Woodwork, Visual Arts, and Latin. Richmond Waldorf School is a Candidate School of AWSNA (Association of Waldorf Schools of North America), SAIS (Southern Association of Independent Schools) and is a member of WECAN (Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America). We have a College of Teachers, Board of Trustees, and Parents Association that help ensure support for the health of the school.
Our school is located on a beautiful, urban campus in the Northside of Richmond, Virginia in close proximity to Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Richmond, and only a few hours from the Blue Ridge Mountains, Washington, DC, and the coastal beaches of Virginia and North Carolina. Richmond is a rapidly growing city with amazing restaurants, a thriving art and music scene, and a plethora of outdoor parks and walking trails. The James River winds its way through the heart of the city, offering four seasons of adventure and beauty.
Essential Job Duties
Responsibilities
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Researches the curriculum and methodologies for the grade level being taught to engages students in appropriate intellectual, artistic, practical, and social activities
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Creates the year’s main lesson block plan and plans for on-going classes (language arts, math, painting, modeling, form drawing, etc.) and reviews the effectiveness of blocks presented to the class
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Prepares appropriate activities, trips, and outings to effectively instruct the class
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Presents lessons that are inspired by and expressive of Waldorf pedagogy
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Nurtures the class community of students, parents and colleagues
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Maintains positive relationships with parents, responds to all parent communication, and proactively considers future concerns
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Maintains positive, professional relationships with colleagues and responds to all concerns
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Collaborates with specialty teachers to support their work with the class
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Prepares for bi-annual parent-teacher conferences and schedules other parent conferences, as necessary
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Coordinates a minimum of 3 parent evenings per year
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Works with colleagues in faculty and section meetings
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Works with parents and volunteers in committee meetings, task forces, and on projects
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Make use of rubrics for conferences, submit quarterly and semester reports (middle school), and submit end-of-year reports
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Writes student recommendations as needed
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Works with mentor at least bi-weekly (for teachers in their 1st year of teaching their subject and/or at RWS weekly meetings with an advisor will be arranged)
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Engages in on-going professional and personal growth
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Attends and participates in Open Houses, Festivals, school Events, all-school work days
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Prepares substitution plans for main lessons and for on-going classes
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Substitutes for specialty classes when needed
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Conducts interviews of potential students and meets with their parents
Qualifications
- 4 Year Degree
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Ability to learn content of lessons, present it appropriately, develop relevant assignments
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Ability to meet students’ academic, social, and emotional needs
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Ability to manage the class and to provide appropriate guidance and discipline
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Strong human relations skills with children and adults
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Maintain positive, professional relationships with colleagues, parents and volunteers
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Clear and timely communication with parents and colleagues
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Excellent oral and written communication skills
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Working with Anthroposophy to provide a Waldorf education
To Apply
To formally apply, please visit our school website at www.richmondwaldorf.com/employment/