What are the responsibilities and job description for the Early Childhood Assistant Teacher position at Housatonic Valley Waldorf School?
EARLY CHILDHOOD ASSISTANT TEACHER
(3 DAY OR 5 DAY PROGRAM)
Overview
The Housatonic Valley Waldorf School is seeking an Early Childhood Assistant Teacher for the 2026-27 school year. This is a part-time, salaried position.
Required Qualifications
- Genuine love and respect for young children.
- Experience working with children ages 2.5–6 (childcare, preschool, nannying, camps, etc.).
- Ability to model calm presence, clear boundaries, and nurturing guidance.
- Comfort spending significant time outdoors in all seasons.
- Ability to lift/carry up to 40 lbs, manage physical tasks, and engage in floor-level play.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills; approachable for students, parents and colleagues.
- Familiarity with supporting children through transitions, social conflicts, and sensory needs.
- Willingness to learn through observation and mentoring.
Classroom Responsibilities
The Early Childhood Assistant is responsible for the following:
- Support EC Lead Teacher to bring the EC curriculum; be familiar with all daily verses and songs.
- Strive to create reverence and the right inner and outer gestures for the children to imitate.
- Take care to support EC Lead Teacher in providing a loving, secure, and healthy environment for the children.
- Supervise children at all times.
- Support EC Lead Teacher in providing a clean and tidy classroom environment.
- Be responsible for classroom snack supplies and daily snack preparation.
- Communicate regularly with EC Lead Teacher regarding student observations.
- Attend all EC parent evenings.
- Attend all PT conferences.
- Substitute for EC Lead Teacher when needed.
- Refer to the Early Childhood Handbook regarding cell phone use.
School/Community Responsibilities:
- Attend EC meetings as often as possible, especially all relevant child studies.
- Be available at pre-arranged times during vacation to assist the EC Teacher with the preparation of the classroom when needed.
- Commit to continuing education by attending lectures, workshops, conferences and faculty study in order to deepen one’s understanding of Waldorf pedagogy.
- Participate in peer review, observations, regular peer meetings, and self-evaluations as listed in contract.
- Attend festivals.
- Participate in all faculty professional development days.
- Attend workdays before and after the student school year as required.
- Serve on Faculty committees. First-year teachers are excused from this responsibility. It is understood that beginning in the second year of employment, the teacher will become progressively more involved in committee work. The College will recommend committees for staff members to join.
Time Commitment
Time required on school premises: 7:45 am to 1:30 pm. Three days or five days per week depending on the program.
Supervision & Evaluation
Conducted as outlined in the Staff Development Committee Guidelines.
Hiring
Hiring is completed through the Teacher Search Committee and approved by the College of Teachers, as outlined in the Teacher Search Guidelines for hiring.
Housatonic Valley Waldorf School is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on religion, national origin, color, race, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or physical disability in our programs and activities or in our hiring, admissions, financial aid, or scholarship practices and policies.