Games and Movement Teacher – School Year 25/26
Games and Movement Teacher – School Year 25/26
Job Category: Lower School: Grades 1-5, Middle School: Grades 6-8, and Subject Teacher
Opening Statement
The Games and Movement Teacher provides a holistic approach to physical movement through imagination, mobility, and obstacle courses in the younger grades moving into sports in the middle school grades. These build strength and flexibility, proprioception, and enhance kinesthetic learning. The Games and Movement Teacher will bring developmentally appropriate games lessons to be delivered, in accordance with the Waldorf games curriculum.
The successful candidate will possess constructive, positive and inclusive interpersonal skills, and will be dependable and patient with students. They will be able to effectively teach children of all abilities, cultivate effective classroom management and ensure the appropriate mood and tone for the developmental stage of each class.
Shining Mountain Waldorf School faculty share a vision of teaching excellence that centers around a pedagogy rooted in Waldorf education principles, best academic teaching practices, and a regular examination of curricular content that signifies our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We express collaboration through our participation in weekly meetings, committees, festivals, concerts and assemblies, after school and weekend events, and our tools for restorative practices. We work in concert with our administrative staff and strive to manifest a community where everyone is seen and respected for their valuable contributions.
About
SMWS is a prekindergarten through 12th grade school. We offer the full breadth of the Waldorf curriculum, which includes two world languages (Spanish and German), woodworking, handwork, movement, instrumental and choral music. The majority of our full time faculty members are Waldorf trained teachers and represent a rich spectrum of life experiences along with their strength as Waldorf educators.
SMWS is celebrating its 40th year of bringing Waldorf education to the beautiful community of Boulder, Colorado. The school is fully accredited by both the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA) and the Association of Colorado Independent Schools (ACIS). Additionally, there is an active Anthroposophical community in the Denver/Boulder area.
Boulder is located in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, about a 45 minute drive from Denver. It is at the heart of the organic food industry, with an award-winning farmers’ market, and many local organic bakeries and farms. The University of Colorado and numerous local organizations provide a rich variety of arts, lectures and workshops, many of which employ the talents of local community members. The quiet beauty of the natural environment offers contemplative pastimes and a full range of outdoor recreation, including world-class ski areas, and many national parks and forests.
Essential Job Duties
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- The movement teacher is responsible for holding movement classes in a developmentally appropriate way for each grade
- Colleagues and the School Director work collaboratively to maintain an overall vision of curricular expectations through the grades
- Hours for teaching staff are 7:45 am to 3:30 pm Monday to Friday following the SMWS academic student calendar
Teaching Responsibilities
- Prepare and present grades 1-8 in biweekly classes in age-appropriate games and sports
- Provide in-class instruction to grade school students through 16-20 teaching hours per week when school is in session, in line with the goals of Shining Mountain’s Movement and Games program
- Set and carry out goals for student learning and achievement
- Collaborate with class teachers to support all students
- Communicate any apparent needs or learning challenges to school specialists
- Help plan, collaborate, and attend regional Waldorf Medieval Games and Pentathlon
- Teach middle school social dance (swing, foxtrot, cha-cha, waltz) to prepare students for biannual dances with other Waldorf schools.
- Stay informed and current on trends, best practices, and new developments in both eurythmy and Waldorf education, engaging in ongoing professional growth
- Participate in Parent Teacher Subject Conferences
- Write student reports at end of academic year
Non-teaching Responsibilities
- Oversee an equitable share of arrival, dismissal, snack, lunch, and recess duties
- Keep gym clean and orderly and recess equipment and tools organized, well cared for, and replenished
- Maintain a healthy relationship with parents and attend parent evenings when asked by a class teacher
- Communicate with parent emails pertinent pedagogical updates
- Full time teachers are expected to participate in two committees, two tasks, their weekly department meeting, and the weekly plenum meeting
- Attend all festivals and some evening even
- Substitute as requested
Qualifications
Education and Qualifications / Regulations
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Knowledge of Waldorf Education and an understanding of curriculum and pedagogy
- At least three years’ experience as a lead PE/Movement and Games teacher, preferred
- Spacial dynamics training, preferred
Skills Required
- Strong ability in a range of movement modalities
- Knowledge of games and sports
- Manage a classroom and support students in acquiring skills and working collaboratively
- Communicate effectively verbally and in writing
- Organize activities for class
- Work cooperatively with colleagues and parents
- Maintain enthusiasm, imagination, and inclusivity in bringing games and sport to students within a wide range of age and ability
Employment Details
Salary, Hours, and Benefits
SMWS offers a teaching base salary along with years of teaching experience; a comprehensive employee benefit program, professional development, and tuition remission for enrolled children.
- Full time salary position (exempt)
- Waldorf-trained base salary of $46,217, along with years of experience.
- Faculty members are paid monthly with annual Faculty Agreements – July through June each year
- SMWS provides a personalized benefit package including medical, dental, vision, long term disability, life insurance, 401(k), and flexible spending accounts
- Faculty receive 3 personal days and 7 sick days each school year
To Apply
Physical Requirements
- The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the Essential Duties and Responsibilities of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to:
- Walk, stand, run, sit, and extensive use of body limbs for designated periods of time
- Bending, stretching, squatting, kneeling, demonstration of sports movements
- Lifting up to 50 pounds
- Mobility to move equipment and other items
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Shining Mountain Waldorf School is fully committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting, retaining, developing and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to their race, religion, gender, gender identity, disability, familial status, sexual orientation or national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited by state or local law. We are dedicated to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment, where employees are treated with respect and dignity.
Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume, and three references to hrmgr@smwaldorf.org