Grades Teaching Assistant

Grades Assistant Teacher – Part-time

Job Title: Grades Assistant Teacher

Reports to: Grades Teacher or Grades Director

Classification: Part-time, Non-exempt, Not-eligible for benefits

Supervisory responsibility: No supervision of staff

Compensation

Salary offered depends on qualifications and years of teaching experience.

To Apply

Interested candidates should submit via email the following to awsrecruitment@austinwaldorf.org. Please place the job title and your name in the subject line of the email message.

• A cover letter describing their interest in Waldorf early childhood education,
• A résumé (showing months and years of employment (e.g., 8/2019 – 7/2025), and
• Three professional references along with their phone numbers and email addresses.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and the position will remain open until filled.

Austin Waldorf School is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants whose experiences and perspectives contribute to the richness of our school community.

Position Purpose

The Grades Assistant works in partnership with the Grades Teacher to support the academic and personal development of students in grades 1-8. The role involves providing assistance with lesson delivery, classroom management, and student engagement, while also ensuring that students experience a balanced, creative, and nurturing educational environment based on the Waldorf philosophy.

The Grades Assistant will contribute to the holistic development of each student, supporting both their intellectual and emotional growth. This role is integral to fostering a positive, respectful classroom community, and ensuring that the teacher’s curriculum goals are effectively carried out.

Essential Job Duties

• Assist the Grades Teacher in the preparation and implementation of the Waldorf curriculum for grades 1-8, supporting academic subjects (literacy, mathematics, arts, sciences) and artistic disciplines.
• Help create and maintain a positive, supportive, and engaging learning environment in alignment with Waldorf principles.
• Provide individualized and small-group support for students, helping to meet their diverse learning needs.
• Assumes the teacher’s full role in the absence of the lead teacher.
• Assist with classroom management during lessons, ensuring students are engaged, on task, and following classroom rules.
• Supervise students during non-classroom times, including breaks, outdoor activities, and transitions, ensuring their safety and well-being.
• Help prepare and organize teaching materials and resources for lessons and projects.
• Maintain open communication with the Grades Teacher to ensure consistent implementation of the Waldorf curriculum.
• Support classroom routines, including setting up and cleaning up after activities, and maintaining a well-organized learning environment.
• Foster positive relationships with students and help build a sense of community within the classroom.
• Model appropriate behavior and respect for school rules, creating a harmonious and collaborative atmosphere.
• Participate in faculty meetings, professional development, and community events, as directed.
• Support the Grades Teacher in preparing materials for parent-teacher conferences and maintaining communication with parents as needed.
• Report any health or safety concerns regarding the classroom or students to the Grades Teacher or administrative team.
• Uphold school policies and procedures, ensuring a safe, respectful, and inclusive school environment for all students.
• Respect the confidentiality of records and information regarding students, parents, and teachers in accordance with accepted professional ethics, and state and federal laws.

Professional Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree or relevant experience in education, child development, or a related field is preferred.
• Previous experience in a Waldorf or other holistic educational setting.
• Familiarity with Waldorf education and an understanding of developmental stages in children.
• Classroom management and motivational strategies.
• Ability to work collaboratively with students, teachers, and parents in a supportive and compassionate manner.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• A commitment to ongoing professional growth, particularly in Waldorf education.
• First Aid/CPR certification (or willingness to obtain).
• Basic computer literacy and organizational skills.

Physical and Mental Requirements

The Teacher must meet the following mental and physical requirements with or without reasonable accommodation.

• The ability to learn, understand, remember, and communicate effectively information about the job.
• The ability to understand the meaning of and use and speak words understandably and effectively in the English language.
• Good hearing and listening abilities, that is, the Teacher must be able to hear spoken words from co-workers, supervisors and others.
• Good motor coordination skills, that is, the ability to coordinate his or her eyes, hands and fingers rapidly and accurately in order to handle precise movements such as typing.
• Make and use repetitive hand motions over an extended period, as when typing.
• Work effectively under pressure and deadlines.
• Must be able to lift or move objects weighing as much as 40 pounds.
• Some of the physical activities required of the Teacher include but are not limited to sitting, remaining upright for extended periods, standing, walking and moving rapidly on uneven ground, bending, lifting and moving objects up to 40 pounds, pushing or pulling, reaching, grasping, and moving within and without the classroom environment.
• Walk and sometimes move rapidly on uneven ground.