*** Position Filled ***
High School Coordinator
Are you an excellent, experienced high school Waldorf teacher who has served on school governance groups? Can you help develop with colleagues an evolving whole school vision and execute duties in accordance with that vision? Are you a team-builder, imaginative, practical, organized and interested in the world and people? Are you committed to the inner work required of a Waldorf teacher?
Summerfield Waldorf School and Farm is looking for a High School Coordinator to start on or before August 1, 2022 to work with our High School Core Group and Faculty. The ideal candidate is currently a Waldorf high school teacher, who is interested in teaching in an area of demonstrated expertise and excited to work nearly full-time as a coordinator. If this speaks to you, please send a cover letter, resume and three references who have worked with you to our human resources coordinator, Michelle Bovard: michelle@summerfieldwaldorf.org.
Our School Governance at Summerfield is based on Steiner’s ideas of a Republic of Teachers as a Faculty-led school. This means we strive to have our decisions come out of the collaboration of teachers as they work together in conversation to meet the needs of our students. This conversation, when properly facilitated to focus on the developing child in the light of anthroposophical insight, will reveal the decisions that are needed.
Our pedagogical managers understand how to facilitate this process and bring to practice in the form of decisions the insights mined from it. As leaders they listen, then bring the questions that need to be addressed, and then carry out the will of the group. They participate in the conversation as teachers and also as those who hold the section or the school as a whole, the interests of the parents and applicable laws.
Our coordinators manage our decision making, are able to help teachers become better teachers through their experience and practice, and are willing to step in to teach where and when it is needed.
Our Section Coordinators consult with and may serve on the Governance Council, which, as a group, is responsible for the day to day running of the school, as well as the short and long term planning. All hiring and all-school decisions are made by the Governance Council. Ideally our Coordinators also volunteer to serve on the College of Teachers. Though not required, this is considered very important for our Governance, as the College is the heart of the school and supports the spiritual striving of our pedagogical discourse.
Summerfield is a unique Waldorf school with a full program from Early Childhood to 12th grade, a biodynamic farm, and a nature preserve. We are poised to find the new forms of education needed to meet today’s children. As an independent Waldorf school, we recently renewed our commitment to faculty-led governance. We strive to act from freedom on the constant forming of a culture of initiative and mutual support pursuant to our school’s mission:
Based on a developmental understanding of the learning process and a view of the child that takes human spirituality seriously, Summerfield Waldorf School offers students a comprehensive learning environment designed to challenge and support them in strengthening their cognitive, emotional and intentional abilities. We strive to support the growth of social awareness and active tolerance, and give students the experiential background that they need to meet new challenges in a creative and responsible manner.
We are committed to self-governance by active Waldorf teachers who are imbued with enthusiasm and excited to strive with others towards the highest ideals and potentials of Waldorf education.
Physical Requirements for Employees at Summerfield Waldorf School & Farm:
Summerfield is both a school and farm. Although we do have paved pathways between various buildings, many pathways are unpaved and rough. Some have steep inclines and declines, steps and holes. Employees must have the ability to:
- Stand and walk on various-density and uneven surfaces for extended periods of time and significant lengths;
- Sit for extended periods of time, both in chairs and on the floor;
- Use a computer for extended periods of time;
- Squat, stoop and/or bend over;
- Reach overhead, grasp, push/pull up to 35 pounds for short distances;
- Lift and carry up to 45 lbs. at waist height for short distances.