Employment Opportunities
Employer Overview
The Anchorage Waldorf School is a Nonprofit organization and part of a rapidly growing international community of independent schools that embrace Waldorf™ Education. Governed by a self-perpetuating Board of Trustees, our school, in our 25 years of operation, is committed to academic excellence. The Anchorage Waldorf School uses a developmental approach to focus on experiential (often outdoor) learning, while cultivating freedom to act and think and preparing students for a changing world.
Handwork Teacher for 2025-26
Job Description:
As a Part-Time Handwork Teacher, you will play a pivotal role in our students’ development by introducing them to a variety of handwork crafts, including knitting, crocheting, sewing, felting, and more, from 1st grade through 8th grade. Through hands-on instruction and guided exploration, you will inspire creativity, dexterity, and a sense of accomplishment in our students, helping them develop important skills and cultivate a deeper connection with the world around them.
Position Overview:
- Work Location: Anchorage Waldorf School
- Work Status: This is a non-exempt part-time position averaging 15 hours a week.
- Schedule: Schedule would fall between Monday-Friday 11-3pm. Potential flexibility on days/times. Inquire for more details.
- Start date: August 2024
Requirements:
- Experience teaching children
- Waldorf trained/in training (or commitment to begin training)
- Ability to plan and deliver diverse curriculum
- Organized, dependable, punctual
- Able to work collaboratively
Compensation:
- Pay commensurate with experience
- Tuition remission available
Our School:
Nestled below the Alaskan Chugach Mountain Range, the Anchorage Waldorf School embodies Rudolf Steiner’s ideals to spark and nurture the highest potential in humanity. The Anchorage Waldorf School is the only Independent Waldorf School in the state of Alaska! We offer an education that honors and nurtures the human spirit in each child.
The Importance of Handwork:
“Rudolf Steiner, when speaking of handwork in the school curriculum, said the purpose was not to train weavers, potters, etc., but rather for the pupil, by practicing such work, to be able to stand more secure on leaving school, with a basic confidence for managing the practical affairs of life. This works inwards, as it were, weaving an inner multi-coloured garment whose colours will not fade or threads snap and unravel at the first hurdle presented by life.
Today, with technological achievements providing for our every need, practical involvement with the material world has all but terminated. There are now diminished opportunities in life for children and adults to be creative in their play or work. Not only do we forgo the joy and sense of achievement that making something can give us, but without the possibility to be creative there is limited or minimal access to the essential formative powers handwork can foster in the growing child and adult.- The Relevance of Handwork and Craft, waldorflibrary.org”
Job Title: Fourth/Fifth Grade Class Teacher – Neurodiverse Focus
Position Overview:
The Anchorage Waldorf School is seeking an experienced and compassionate educator to join our community as the 4th/5th Combined Grade Class Teacher with a special focus on supporting our beautiful neurodiverse students. This position provides a unique opportunity to create an inclusive and nurturing learning environment that meets the diverse needs of all students.
Responsibilities:
- Classroom Leadership: Inspire and guide second-grade students through a Waldorf-inspired curriculum, tailoring instruction to accommodate neurodiverse learning styles and abilities.
- Differentiated Instruction: Demonstrate expertise in differentiating instruction to address the individual needs of neurodiverse students, fostering a supportive and inclusive classroom environment.
- Collaborative Planning: Work closely with special education professionals, support staff, and parents to create a comprehensive and individualized learning plan for neurodiverse students.
- Communication and Collaboration: Maintain open and effective communication with students, parents, and colleagues, fostering a sense of community and understanding.
- Adaptability: Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability to meet the evolving needs of students, adjusting teaching strategies and materials as necessary.
- Therapeutic Approaches: Incorporate therapeutic approaches and sensory-sensitive strategies to create a safe and comfortable learning environment for all students.
- Parental Involvement: Engage parents in the educational process, providing support and resources to enhance learning experiences at home.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Education or a related field; Waldorf teacher training preferred.
- Significant experience in teaching neurodiverse students, with a strong understanding of inclusive education practices.
- Compassion and empathy for neurodiverse learners, with a commitment to creating an environment that celebrates diversity and individual strengths.
- Strong organizational and classroom management skills.
- Effective communication and collaboration skills with students, parents, and colleagues.
- Familiarity with Waldorf educational philosophy and principles.
- Commitment to ongoing professional development in the field of Waldorf and neurodiverse education.
Application Process:
Interested candidates are invited to submit a cover letter, resume, and a statement of teaching philosophy to ed@waldorfak.org. The application deadline is July 25th, 2025. Interviews will be scheduled for qualified candidates, and the successful applicant’s contract will begin on August 1, 2025, with inservice beginning August 14, 2025.
Join our Anchorage Waldorf School community and play a vital role in creating a supportive and enriching educational experience for our beautiful second-grade class!