Waldorf teacher for combined 3/4 grade
Opening Statement
Lakota Waldorf School is looking for a Waldorf teacher for our combined 3rd – 4th 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 in close proximity of 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.
Lakota Waldorf school is a Associate Member of AWSNA.
While helping students to develop the 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
The primary responsibility is to teach the students with appropriate support from specialist subject teachers. The teacher 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 in close proximity of school campus.
Qualifications
The candidate is a trained Waldorf teacher (ideally with 1-2 years of experience) dedicated to the Waldorf approach to education and brings a strong interest in Lakota culture and language.
Employment Details
Salary depends on education and experience, between $40K -$50K. Benefits include a health and vision plan.
To Apply
How 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.
For more information and questions please send us an email.
Email: info@lakotawaldorfschool.org
Subject Line of Email: Waldorf Teacher Application