Practical Arts Teacher

About the role

The Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs is seeking a full-time Practical Arts teacher to join our faculty in August 2026.

Essential Job Duties

• Teach a practical arts curriculum focused on developmentally appropriate education based on the insights of Rudolf Steiner.
• Create, plan, and deliver lessons and activities that foster patience, perseverance, find motor skills and an appreciation for craftsmanship.
• Design and teach lessons in crafts based on Waldorf pedagogy, including woodwork, metalwork and other mediums.
• Provide a balanced curriculum at a pace suitable to the children’s age and development, based on an understanding of Waldorf pedagogy/child development.
• Give particular regard to imbuing the academic work with artistic presentation and experience.
• Work closely with class teachers to support, reinforce and integrate practical arts with academic subjects.
• Observe, document and assess student progress, providing written narratives for end-of-year grade reports.
• ‘See’ the students, seek to understand them, and work creatively to nurture the healthy development of their physical, social, emotional and cognitive capacities, understanding their individual development.
• Lead and inspire the students, maintain good discipline and hold boundaries, develop students’ confidence, and ensure that effective learning can take place in the class.
• Undertake appropriate preparation, study and training as necessary both for the effective delivery of the curriculum and to advance the school’s mission, principles, and objectives; to engage in personal reflection, spiritual and self-development; and to commit to deepening the understanding of Anthroposophy and the curriculum.
• Maintain the workshop/classroom to a high standard of cleanliness and aesthetics, suitable to the tasks to be undertaken, modeling care for one’s environment and involving the students appropriately.
• Organize and purchase materials for class use, filling out appropriate paperwork for reimbursement, giving receipts to the Business Office for any purchases that use the school’s credit card.
• Cover for absent colleagues as requested and able.
• Share responsibility for supervision of all students during non-class hours within the school day.
• Cover snack and lunch duties.
• Take on administrative tasks as needed for your class, your branch, or the whole school. Examples include organizing field trips, festivals, plays, letter writing, etc.
• Participate in the care for the whole campus space – indoors and outdoors.
• Communicate clearly with students, colleagues, and parents.
• Attend weekly All-School meetings, Branch meetings, and Committee Meetings.
• Engage in pedagogical study/discussion and child observation with colleagues and take a proactive and compassionate approach to addressing areas of concern/need.
• Attend regular staff meetings (All School/ Branch/ Committee).
• Attend meetings and events during evenings and weekends when necessary.
• Attend inservice and training days, as required.
• Familiarize yourself with and adhere to the School’s policies and procedures, and support their implementation.
• Respond to email communication within 24 business hours.
• Communicate regularly with class parents to inform them of class happenings.
• Prepare a summer letter to the class that includes supplies.
• Complete all mandated training (CPR, Mandated Reporting, etc.) as per the Employee Manual.
• Meet and communicate with class teachers and the branch chair to facilitate support when needed.
• Receive assistance, when appropriate, from a more experienced colleague or a specialist teacher in those areas in which you are less qualified/experienced.
• Work during the first year with a mentor appointed by the Teacher Development Committee.
• Monitor and keep within agreed spending lines and work with the Business Office or other spending line owners.
• Complete all mandated trainings (CPR, Mandated Reporting, etc.) as per the Employee Manual.
• Help to prepare the class for festivals, assemblies, and class plays and support class teachers with this as needed.
• Participate in school events during school holidays or weekends, as required.
• Be familiar with Parent and Employee Handbooks and adhere to all policies and practices including following Grievance Procedures.
• Inform Branch Chair of time away if unable to check emails.

Qualifications

• A B.A. or B.S. degree and have completed a Waldorf teacher training approved by AWSNA and WSSS.
• A working understanding of Anthroposophy.
• Teaching experience.
• A deep knowledge of specific craft skills and Waldorf pedagogical principles.
• The ability to bring artistic, practical tasks to life in a way that engages children’s imagination.
• Strong interpersonal skills for collaborating with colleagues.
• The ability to mentor and guide children through the artistic process, encouraging individual expression.