First Grade Class Teacher

About Richmond Waldorf School

Richmond Waldorf School (RWS) was founded in 1996 with a passion for providing children a holistic education that aligns with their natural human development through hands-on, nature-rich, and play-based experiences. The school is dedicated to cultivating creative thinking, genuine inquiry, and a love of learning. RWS has grown from a single Kindergarten classroom to a campus serving 200 students from Pre‑K through 8th grade. Specialty programs include Movement Arts, French, Mandarin, Biking, Handwork, Music and Strings, Woodwork, Visual Arts, and Latin. The school is fully accredited by SAIS (Southern Association of Independent Schools), a member of WECAN (Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America), and a Candidate School of AWSNA (Association of Waldorf Schools of North America). Governance includes a College, Board of Trustees, and Parents Association.

The campus is located in the Northside of Richmond, Virginia, near Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Richmond, and within a few hours of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Washington, DC, and the coastal beaches of Virginia and North Carolina. Richmond offers a thriving restaurant, art, and music scene, abundant outdoor parks and walking trails, and the James River winding through the city.

About the role

The First Grade Class Teacher plans, organizes, and implements instruction following the Waldorf curriculum, embracing today’s culture in an inclusive, compassionate, and nurturing manner. The teacher serves as leader of the class community, overseeing its educational, social, and practical functions, and works collaboratively with colleagues, parents, and administrators to guide students toward their academic and personal potential. This position is for the 2027/2028 school year.

Essential Functions

• Researches curriculum and methodologies for the grade level to engage students in intellectual, artistic, practical, and social activities
• Creates the year’s main lesson block plan and plans for ongoing classes (language arts, math, painting, modeling, form drawing, etc.) and reviews block effectiveness
• Prepares appropriate activities, trips, and outings to effectively instruct the class
• Presents lessons inspired by and expressive of Waldorf pedagogy
• Nurtures the class community of students, parents, and colleagues
• Collaborates with specialty teachers to support their work with the class
• Prepares for bi‑annual parent‑teacher conferences and schedules additional conferences as needed
• Coordinates a minimum of three parent evenings per year
• Participates in faculty and section meetings
• Works with parents and volunteers in committee meetings, task forces, and projects
• Uses rubrics for conferences, submits quarterly and semester reports (middle school), and submits end‑of‑year reports
• Writes student recommendations as needed
• Works with a mentor at least bi‑weekly (first‑year teachers have weekly advisor meetings)
• Attends and participates in Open Houses, Festivals, school events, and all‑school work days
• Prepares substitution plans for main lessons and ongoing classes
• Substitutes for specialty classes when needed
• Conducts interviews of potential students and meets with their parents
• Maintains positive relationships with parents and responds to all parent concerns
• Maintains positive, professional relationships with colleagues and responds to collegial concerns
• Engages in ongoing professional and personal growth
• Fulfills other duties as assigned relative to job responsibilities

Competencies

• Ability to learn lesson content, present it appropriately, and develop relevant assignments
• Ability to meet students’ academic, social, and emotional needs
• Ability to manage the class and provide appropriate guidance and discipline
• Working with Anthroposophy to provide a Waldorf education
• Excellent human relationship skills with children and adults
• Positive, professional relationships with colleagues
• Positive, professional relationships with parents and volunteers
• Clear and timely communication with parents and colleagues
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution
• Certification in Waldorf teacher training or agreement to obtain Waldorf Certification
• Experience and education as determined by the College

Preferred

• Waldorf teaching experience
• Other teaching experience

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing. The employee must frequently lift and/or move items up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Schedule

This is a 40‑hour per week, 12‑month school year position beginning on or around July 1, 2027.

Pay

The salary range for this regular, full‑time, exempt position is $41,000 to $65,000 per year, depending on exact experience and qualifications.

Benefits

• Health, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Retirement plan with employer contribution
• Life insurance
• Short‑ and Long‑Term Disability insurance
• 80 hours Paid Time Off (PTO) per fiscal year (July 1 to June 30)
• Paid Holidays & School Breaks (~30 days; subject to finalized school schedule each year)
• 90% Tuition remission for dependent child/ren enrolled at RWS
• Free Aftercare for dependent children during scheduled work hours (children must also be enrolled in a school program)