Early Childhood Director

Seattle Waldorf School is seeking an Early Childhood Director, with teaching and administrative experience, and a rich understanding of child development and the art of teaching. We are looking for someone who has a passion for human and organization development and facilitation skills to inspire a culture of collaboration built upon trust and engagement. We need a leader who understands best practices in education and administration, and who is passionate about leading a Waldorf Early Childhood program. We are looking for staff and faculty who share our belief that a culturally rich and inclusive school community provides students with the best possible environment for a quality education. Seattle Waldorf School offers an excellent benefits package, opportunities for professional development, and an extraordinary work environment.

WHO WE ARE: At Seattle Waldorf School, students become creative problem-solvers—imaginative thinkers who  journey toward intellectual excellence, human compassion, and artistic skill. Our modern curriculum is rooted in  tradition—for children 18 months to 18 years. We lead students on a joyful journey that fosters critical thinking,  synthesis, and creativity. Founded in Seattle in 1980, we are the only Preschool–Grade 12 Waldorf School in Washington.

Our Mission: Daily we strive to inspire learning, courage, and joy in the developing human being.

Job Summary: Under minimal supervision, works collaboratively to lead and address SWS needs, guides and oversees the early childhood branch program development, and upholds school-wide working agreements, standards of professionalism, school policies and procedures among the early childhood faculty.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Acts as active member of the Pedagogical Council and Leadership Council, including attending board meetings, committee meetings, and supporting work outside of meetings
• Guides and oversees the early childhood program development in light of the mission, vision and strategic plan of Seattle Waldorf School, including, but not limited to:
  • Overseeing short and long term goals
  • Consulting with the faculty chair(s) to lead early childhood branch meetings
  • Developing educational support involvement in early childhood classes as needed
  • Coordinating parent education with the early childhood faculty
  • Communicating with parents, as the need arises
  • Supporting the Director of Advancement/ Enrollment in admissions events, retention activities, and building enrollment
• Supervises, provides support for, and upholds school-wide working agreements, standards of professionalism, school policies and procedures among the early childhood faculty including, but not limited to:
  • Acting as chair of early childhood school hiring committees
  • Facilitating training for early childhood faculty
  • Overseeing mentoring and assessment of early childhood faculty
  • Periodically visiting classes
  • Meeting with parents and teachers, as the need arises
  • Working with the SWS facilities staff on early childhood site needs
  • Ensuring oversight of the early childhood  budgeting process and monitoring spending
  • Helping to create and revise handbooks
• Teaching classes part-time during the school year
• Maintains relationships with AWSNA, and guides early childhood portion of AWSNA and NWAIS Renewal of Membership Process
• Establishes and cultivates community relations by maintaining open dialogue with all of the school’s constituencies
• Actively participates in the full life of the school
• Vigorously engages in their own professional development; is a life-long learner who enhances their skills, using state-of-the-art technologies to maintain high standards of performance to efficiently and effectively produce work products
• Is familiar with and complies with all policies and regulations as put forth in the school’s documents
• Since safety and security are everyone’s responsibility, takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, faculty, staff, equipment, materials, and facilities
• Performs other duties as assigned

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of five years teaching experience
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university required*  (Education or a related field preferred)
• Waldorf Teaching Certificate required*
• Advanced degree and State Teacher Certificate or WA ECE State Certificate preferred
• Experience in or potential for collaborative leadership
• Experience in or potential for mentoring, supervising, and evaluating faculty

*Candidates who do not have a required degree/certificate may be considered with a commitment to complete them within a specified length of time from start of employment.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

• Enjoys being an active team member of an administrative team; strives to continually build knowledge/skills and share expertise with others
• Excellent analytical and abstract reasoning skills
• Ability to generate creative solutions, meet challenges with resourcefulness
• Ability to adapt to a continually evolving environment; be flexible
• Ability to balance priorities and meet hard deadlines
• Ability to work independently in a multi-tasking environment employing organizationally sound decision-making and flexibility 
• Possessing a level of cultural competency necessary for working with a diverse population in an inclusive and equitable community
  • We have a diverse student body, and we want all our teachers and staff to have the skills necessary to ensure that our classrooms are safe, inclusive places for everyone
  • We seek a leader who is aware of the racial, socio-economic, gender, and other inequities present in education, and actively works to eliminate these in the school
• Strong organizational, communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills facilitating work with all constituencies of the school community
• Ability to manage difficult situations, maintain confidentiality
• Possession of a sense of humor and professional presence, inspires respect and trust, displays passion and optimism
• Proficient at working in a Microsoft Windows 10 environment, using Office (version 2013 or higher); ability to master common automated systems for record keeping, and confidently learn new technology; proficient working with Google Docs and Google Sheets
• Comfortable videoconferencing with Zoom, Google Meets or other platform
• Ability, unassisted, to lift and carry children up to 50 pounds in weight
• Ability to travel locally and nationally
• Ability to work evenings and weekends occasionally