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The Detroit Waldorf School is a growing and thriving multicultural educational community, celebrating its 59th year in the heart of Detroit. We have the honor of being one of the ten oldest Waldorf schools in the United States.
Our school, founded in 1965, is located just three miles east of downtown Detroit in the historic Indian Village neighborhood.
The building was designed by renowned architect Albert Kahn in the 1920s and is situated on a beautifully landscaped, 4-acre campus.
Employment Opportunities
World Language Teacher for 2024-2025
The Detroit Waldorf School seeks a World Language teacher for grades 1-8.
This position is open to any world language outside of English but includes American Sign Language. We welcome a teacher who is enthusiastic about Waldorf education, has experience with elementary and middle school children, and is knowledgeable and enthusiastic about their language while fostering a cultural appreciation. The position begins July 1, 2024.
Qualifications:
An ideal candidate will be a native speaker of their language or fluent in language to be taught. Bachelor’s degree, knowledge, and successful experience teaching elementary and middle school students and being qualified to participate in Shared Time. Experience teaching in a Waldorf classroom is strongly preferred. Interest in Waldorf education and its integration into the language curriculum is required. Interest in understanding the character and capabilities of each child and ability to create engaging lesson plans for range of abilities. Strong classroom management skills and positive discipline strategies based on developing the children’s intrinsic motivation. Good communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills, as well as maintaining an overall positive attitude, and collaboration with staff, colleagues, students, and parents are expected.
Responsibilities:
Teach foreign language to grades 1 through 8. Create the overall plan for the year, aligned with seasonal progression and cultural traditions such as holidays and festivals. Guide each class with curriculum and activities that meet the needs of each developmental stage based on Waldorf pedagogy. Maintain records of each student’s progress to write and submit progress reports for parent-teacher conferences and end-of-year reports. A willingness to work collegially with others, be a reflective teacher and staff member and bring a strong sense of self to be a model of truth, beauty, and love for the students.
Position Overview:
The position is .80--.1 FTE and includes sixteen weekly classes, some recess supervision with additional time for staff meetings, day and evening assemblies, festivals, parent-teacher conferences, and committee work. The Detroit Waldorf School offers a base salary with additional compensation, commensurate with experience and credentials. This position also includes health and dental insurance, retirement, support for professional development, and 80% tuition remission.
How to Apply:
Our strong commitment to increasing and supporting diversity in employment and our programs are expressed in our desire to hire candidates underrepresented in Waldorf Education. People demonstrating a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in education are encouraged to apply. Interested candidates are asked to submit an application, cover letter, resume, and two professional references, via email to ursulalord@detroitwaldorf.org or by mail to Detroit Waldorf School, 2555 Burns, Detroit, MI 48214. We encourage you to visit our website to learn more about our school at www.detroitwaldorf.org.
Summer Facilities Assistant, June 17 through August 19, 2024
The Detroit Waldorf School seeks a facilities assistant for summer work.
Assistant will work with DWS facilities managers with duties including deep cleaning of classrooms and painting. Assistant must be able to move 50lbs and work on ladders. Most importantly, we seek someone with a positive, can-do attitude!
Working hours (20/week) are Monday through Thursday 8:00 - 1:00 with a 30 minute break. Position begins on June 17th and ends on August 19th. Pay is $15.30/hour.
To apply: Interested candidates are asked to submit an application, resume, and two references, via email to personnelchair@detroitwaldorf.org.
Early Childhood Afternoon Assistant
The Detroit Waldorf School seeks an early childhood classroom assistant for the 2023-2024 school year.
The Classroom assistant supports the Early Childhood teacher in their work and helps to maintain a warm supportive class environment while caring for the children and the physical space that is consistent with the best practices in Waldorf Early Childhood Education. The ideal candidate has familiarity with or interest in Waldorf education and brings experience, warmth, joy, and enthusiasm for working with young children. It also requires motivation, and the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and families and to engage in a very physically active day caring for children, the classroom, and supervising inside and outdoors in all weather throughout the school year. Afternoon Assistants work hours are 11:00 am-5:30 pm.
A background that includes experience working with children in a childcare or similar setting and interest or training in Waldorf early childhood education is preferred. A minimum of 12 semester hours in early childhood or child development is required or willingness to immediately pursue the training.
This is an hourly position Monday-Friday. Compensation starts at $15.30 per hour. It also includes a health stipend for employees regularly scheduled to work 30 or more hours per week, paid professional development, a two-week holiday in December and sick time, and sponsorship in the T.E.A.C.H. Michigan Early Childhood Scholarship program.
Our strong commitment to increasing and supporting diversity in employment and our programs are expressed in our desire to hire candidates underrepresented in Waldorf Education. People demonstrating a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in education are encouraged to apply.
The application process includes but is not limited to an introductory campus tour, classroom observations, and a hiring interview with members of the Personnel Committee. Travel expenses are the responsibility of the applicant.
Interested candidates are asked to submit an application, cover letter, resume, and two professional references, via email to helenamitchell@detroitwaldorf.org or by mail to Detroit Waldorf School, 2555 Burns, Detroit, MI 48214. We encourage you to visit our website to learn more about our school at www.detroitwaldorf.org.
The Detroit Waldorf School founded in 1965 is a multi-racial and multicultural school, celebrating over 50 years in the heart of the Detroit Renaissance. We have the honor of being one of the ten oldest Waldorf schools in the United States. We offer a full curriculum and we are accredited by the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America, the Waldorf Early Childhood Association, the Independent Schools Association of Central States, and our Early Childhood Program is licensed by the State of Michigan.
Substitutes Teachers Needed!
We are currently accepting applications for substitutes in our Early Childhood and Grades programs. Experience in childcare or working with children ages 3 - 6 years is preferred for Early Childhood applicants, but not required to apply. Similarly, experience with children ranging in age from 6 to 15 years old is preferred for the Grades program. Applicants must be available from 8:00 am-3:30 pm.
Interested candidates are asked to submit an application, resume, and two professional references, via email to personnel@detroitwaldorf.org and to attend a Taste of Waldorf Tour
We encourage you to browse the site to learn more about our school.
Equal Opportunity
The Detroit Waldorf School does not discriminate in admissions, hiring, or employment practices on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other statuses protected by law. Furthermore, parents, students, faculty, staff members, and board members are all expected to conduct themselves and discharge their responsibilities in accordance with the school’s non-discrimination policy.