Employment at Swallowtail School

The Director weaves all of the different aspects of the school together into a cohesive whole. They must be able to appreciate the qualities that make Swallowtail School unique while facilitating growth and long term strategy. The Swallowtail community is one of deep commitment, personal connection, and independence of thought. The Director needs to be a skilled communicator, able to listen with a true desire to understand and collaboratively build consensus within and between groups. The Director must also value the principles of Waldorf Education and partner with the Faculty to promote these principles throughout the school.

The Director is the face of the school and should be equally able to cultivate relationships with parents and families, students, faculty, the Board of Trustees, donors and alumni, other Waldorf schools, and leaders in the wider community. The Director has final responsibility and authority in all administrative matters.

In particular, the Director:

• Facilitates the development and communication of the long-range strategic plan, working closely with the Board of Trustees and Faculty, gathering input from relevant parties, and prioritizing resources to realize the plan.

• Brings a level of personal care and holding to create a work environment in which people feel safe to take risks, challenge themselves, and grow. Prioritizes ongoing feedback, adequate training and mentoring, and equitable compensation. 

• Coordinates annual evaluations, collaborates with faculty and administrative HR partners, and makes the final decision on hiring and termination of employees.

• Represents the Administration on the Board of Trustees. Ensures detailed reporting from various groups at the school to enable informed decision-making.

• Oversees state licensing of early childhood and extended care programs, acting as “Director” of these activities.

• Ensures appropriate oversight of student support plans, working closely with faculty and families to ensure student needs are being met, and takes appropriate steps to determine the level of support school can provide on a case-by-case basis. 

• Partners with Finance on budget management and fundraising activities, with particular attention to growing financial reserves and maintaining financially sound and sustainable practices.

• Develops and implements plans for financial development and community engagement, including event planning.

• Drives efforts to sustain and increase enrollment. 

• Acts as a spokesperson to educate families and the greater community about Swallowtail, its mission, vision, and values, and about Waldorf Education in general.

• Facilitates and ensures effective communication so that stakeholders are kept abreast of developments and decisions by the Faculty, Board of Trustees, and Administration.

• Develops a close relationship to the community of families, receiving and responding to their concerns. Serves as a facilitator and final arbitrator if needed. 

• Coordinates with AWSNA and WECAN to maintain member status, leverages the support provided by these organizations, and stays up-to-date on best practices.

• Ensures accurate record keeping, with timely and appropriate documentation of school decisions and incidents. Uses discretion and judgment to protect confidential information as appropriate.

• Engages with the Student Support Committee to develop both situational responses and school-wide enhancements to improve behavior, social/emotional health, and academic achievement of the students.

• Maintains a daily presence in the school.

Swallowtail School is an associate member of AWSNA and WECAN. Salary is based on education and experience. Benefits include tuition remission for dependents, and medical/dental/vision coverage.

To apply, please send a letter of intent, resume, and three references to Greg Vandervelden at boardpresident@swallowtailschool.org

Swallowtail Waldorf School & Farm is seeking a dynamic, caring class teacher to lead our rising first grade class for the 2025-26 school year. Our class teachers ideally continue to guide their students on their journey through the eighth grade. At Swallowtail we are fortunate to have an exceptionally committed and supportive community of families and a close-knit collegial group who value working together in collaboration. Grades classes are well supported by subject offerings, and classes spend one day per week at our farm property where they work with our Agricultural Arts and full time Farmer to deepen their connection to the natural world and understanding of the land. 

The 1st Grade Teacher is responsible for bringing developmentally appropriate curriculum in accordance with the principles and methods of Waldorf Education. In the forefront of our work will be warmth, rhythm, health, safety, professionalism, a reverence for nature and for one another. The 1st Grade Teacher is also responsible for forming and maintaining a healthy social life in their class and for incorporating the student families into the school life. They are an important member of the Grades team and are expected to work collaboratively with colleagues, share responsibilities for program delivery, and serve as a role model within the school community.

Specific duties for the 1st Grade Position includes:

• Develop class curriculum incorporating: 

  • An anthroposophical understanding of the developmental needs of the students

  • Our shared commitment to bringing greater diversity, equity, and inclusion to Waldorf Education

  • Swallowtail grade-level benchmarks and recent assessments or observations, to build capacities and ensure academic growth

• Prepare a school-year schedule of subject blocks (block rotation) in the summer and daily written lesson plans throughout the year. Daily lessons should include movement, music, rhythm, story and imagery, review, and new instruction. Written plans should include learning goals and a space for reflection.

• Provide a consistent rhythm of the day, week, and year 

• Dress in appropriate gear for the weather when outdoors, and uphold that expectation with students

• Ensure a beautiful and well-kept classroom

• Maintain a healthy classroom atmosphere of respect and attention by holding appropriate boundaries with children in a calm and centered manner

• Assess the growth and development of students in the program, communicating proactively with parents and Student Support committee if a student is in need of extra support

Required Trainings/Attributes

• A dedication to Waldorf Education

• Waldorf Grades Teaching Certification (completed or in process) and BA in education or related field. Preference given for MA in education.

• At least one year of classroom teaching experience

• A love of children and a deep desire to support their growth

• Excellent classroom management skills 

• Willingness to be part of a culture that values professional growth and ongoing positive and constructive feedback.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• The desire and ability to work collaboratively with all members of the school community

• The ability to adapt the curriculum to the skills and needs of a class or individual child

• Current CPR and First Aid (within 30 days of hire)

To apply, please send a letter of intent, resume, and three references to Emma Graves at egraves@swallowtailschool.org

Swallowtail Waldorf School & Farm is seeking an experienced Waldorf teacher to shepherd our current 6th graders through their final two years of middle school - grade 7 & 8. This class is well-formed, with a supportive parent group and students who eagerly participate in the curriculum and have close social bonds with one another. They particularly enjoy physical work (building, planting, animal care, etc.) and projects that utilize their creative capacities, and they can work well as a cohesive team. They can focus for longer periods of quiet classroom work as well, and are skilled storytellers. They will be well met by a teacher who will challenge them, and who enjoys hands-on exploration and time spent outdoors.

Required Trainings/Attributes

• A dedication to Waldorf Education

• Waldorf Grades Teaching Certification (completed or in process) and BA in education or related field. Preference given for MA in education.

• At least one year of classroom teaching experience.

• A love of children and a deep desire to support their growth.

• Excellent classroom management skills.

• Willingness to be part of a culture that values professional growth and ongoing positive and constructive feedback.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• The desire and ability to work collaboratively with all members of the school community.

• The ability to adapt the curriculum to the skills and needs of the class or individual child.

• Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and an openness to embracing new stories and perspectives in the classroom curriculum.

• Current CPR and First Aid (within 30 days of hire)

Physical requirements

• Prolonged periods of standing and walking (up to 2 miles/day) outdoors in all weather.

• Kneel, stoop, crouch, or crawl.

• Ability to walk and/or run at a pace to keep up with children 6-14 years old.

• Must be able to lift, push, pull, or carry up to 50 pounds at a time.

Swallowtail School is an associate member of AWSNA and WECAN. Salary is based on education and experience. Benefits include tuition remission for dependents, and medical/dental/vision coverage.

To apply, please send a letter of intent, resume, and three references to Emma Graves at egraves@swallowtailschool.org

Substitute teachers should have classroom experience and an interest in Waldorf Education. All substitutes must pass a background check and those who work in our Preschool or Kindergarten must also be listed in the Central Background Registry through the Early Learning Division of the Oregon Dept. of Education.

To be considered for substitute work during the 2024-25 school year, please send a letter of interest and resume to Emma Graves at egraves@swallowtailschool.org