Class Teacher for combined 7/8 grade 2025/26
Class Teacher for combined 7/8 grade 2025/26
Job Category: Middle School: Grades 6-8
Opening Statement
Lakota Waldorf School is looking for a Waldorf teacher for our combined 7/8 grade for the school year 2025-26. This is a full-time position with a 40-hour workweek during the 9-month school year. This individual will be part of a team of teachers seeking excellence in teaching the children in the lower and middle grades. Their primary responsibility is to teach the students with appropriate support from specialist subject teachers. They will also serve as the primary contact person for pastoral matters in the class and with parents. At Lakota Waldorf, all teachers attend weekly Lakota Language classes to support their integration of the language in the daily classroom. All teachers also join with staff members to work together in alignment with the philosophy and curriculum of Waldorf Education. Teacher housing is available on the school campus.
About
About the School & Our Indigenous Waldorf Mission: The Lakota Waldorf School (LWS) is a small but developing K-8 Grade school located in the southwestern corner of South Dakota. Surrounded by rolling plains, dramatic sun settings and breathtaking badlands, the school sits in the center of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. The nearest city is Rapid City, 90 miles northwest of Kyle, SD.
Founded in 1993 by parents and educators of the community, the Lakota Waldorf School (LWS) is the only Waldorf School in North America located on an Indian Reservation. Our mission is to provide a Waldorf Education integrated with a Lakota language and culture program for children (Grade K-8) living on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation – one of the poorest Indian Reservations in the country.
While helping students to develop academic, social, and practical resources to meet the challenges of today’s world, LWS’s educational programs work to reinforce a strong cultural identity and foundation for Lakota language fluency. (The Lakota language, a dialect of Sioux, is classified by UNESCO as vulnerable to extinction.) The philosophy and methods of Waldorf are closely aligned with how indigenous children learn through the rhythms of nature, song, storytelling, dramatic plays, and community celebration. Most importantly, it supports oral language learning—the foundation to preserving the culture and identity of indigenous people.
Essential Job Duties
As a colleague in the Lakota Waldorf School, the Employee joins a group of teachers, staff and board members who work with the philosophy, purpose, and curriculum of Waldorf Education and who seek excellence in the teaching of the children.
Particular emphasis is put on the following areas: The School curriculum provides Lakota culture and Language classes by Lakota specialist. Classroom management, classroom appearance, and preparation consistent with the Waldorf approach. Outreach to parents / families; Informational meetings with community members; Consistent and accurate student evaluation and record keeping of children’s progress; evaluation/report writing as needed, and on-going professional development.
All faculty and staff members are required to attend the weekly staff meeting and pedagogical conference as well as parent teacher conferences.
Employee as well as all staff members are expected to do committee work, fundraisers, preparation, as well as the planning of festivals and school events. All faculty members will work in a cooperative spirit to ensure the success of the Lakota Waldorf School and the wellbeing of the children.
Qualifications
The candidate is a trained Waldorf teacher dedicated to the Waldorf approach to education and brings a strong interest in Lakota culture and language.
Salary depends on education and years of experience.
Employment Details
We are providing Healthcare and vision
To Apply
Please email (as indicated below) one PDF that contains the following, in this order: cover letter, resume, and two – three (2-3) references with their phone, email, and a brief description of your relationship to them. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Please call us for more information.