Posted: 02-Jun-25
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Type: Full Time
Required Education:
Position: Early Childhood Assistant
Status: Full-time, salaried. Eligible for medical, dental, and vision insurance benefits + 401k contribution.
Primary Function:
Linden Waldorf School is seeking a qualified and motivated individual to serve as an Early Childhood (EC) assistant. Candidates must possess a commitment to personal and professional development and an enthusiasm for collegial work. We offer mentoring, opportunities for professional development, and a workplace supportive of pursuing Waldorf certification. This position reports directly to the Director of Education.
This person will work as a part of a committed team of teachers and be an active member of our school community.
Waldorf Early Childhood teachers understand that children learn by imitation and strive to bring meaningful activities and movement, nourishing images and speech, and an attitude of soul and inner life that is worthy of imitation. The job of the Early Childhood (EC) assistant is to assist the lead teacher in meeting the needs of the students, the program, and the well-being of the classroom. Teachers are to guide the children toward self-control, cooperation and social awareness, a mood of joy and harmony, and a feeling of belonging to the group as a whole.
All employees are subject to the requirements of the Employee Handbook. In addition, all teachers are required to teach the curriculum outlined in their grade-specific scope and equence, available upon request.
Classroom Responsibilities and Duties:
- Preparation of the snacks, art activities, painting, and other activities, as determined in consultation with the lead teacher.
- Assist with daily activities such as circle, imaginative play, story, handcrafts, painting, baking, nature walks, snack, and outdoor activities.
- Develop and maintain a safe, inclusive, and harmonious environment that supports social-emotional development and learning. Continual communication with the lead teacher and fellow faculty is vital for the success in this area.
- Assist the lead teacher in maintaining a clean, orderly classroom environment. This includes a daily tidying up of all areas or other duties as assigned. Help to maintain EC common areas with duties such as sweeping, dusting, washing dishes, and picking up in restrooms (paper towels, trash, water spills) during school day.
- Prompt and regular attendance is an essential duty and responsibility of this position.
- Assist the lead teacher with class parent meetings on a routine basis.
- Participate in parent conferences, as requested or directed by the lead.
- Create and maintain an age-appropriate, aesthetically pleasing, and orderly classroom space.
- Be prepared to perform the role of lead teacher if the lead teacher is absent.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Maintaining and striving for an openness to understand Waldorf education and child development.
- Attendance and participation in weekly section meetings, faculty meetings, and in-service workshops.
- Service on at least one (1) faculty committee. First-year teachers may be exempt from this requirement.
- Attendance/assistance at major all-school activities.
- Attendance at all-school meetings as indicated by administration.
- Willingness to participate in the enrollment process of new students, particularly in discussions of student placement, student interviews, and class visits.
- Participation in the design and execution of an individualized plan for professional development.
- Attendance at Waldorf education summer training as identified as appropriate by the Director of Education.
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in Education or a related field or similar life/work experience
- 1 – 2 years previous classroom experience
- Interest in and appreciation for Waldorf education
- Commitment to equitable practices
Preferred Qualifications:
- Have completed, or have interest in completing Waldorf certification
Salary is scaled based on experience and education.
Linden Waldorf School is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.