Employment at Swallowtail School
Guiding Vision: To recruit, retain, and reward dynamic, engaged faculty who embrace ongoing learning and work in partnership to explore innovative, relevant programming.
Openings
2024-25
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Swallowtail Waldorf School & Farm is seeking an experienced Waldorf teacher to shepherd our current 6th graders from their 6th through 8th grade. 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 theater and creative writing, 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 a class or individual child.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and an openness to embracing new stories and perspectives in the classroom curriculum.
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
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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
Swallowtail At A Glance
Swallowtail School serves approximately 150 students from PreK through Grade 8. We are located at the intersection of rural Oregon farmland and the Portland suburbs, with a main campus in Cornelius and a farm property a few minutes away in Hillsboro. 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. We have a thriving Early Childhood program with one preschool and two mixed-age kindergartens, and those classes are usually full with a wait list. Grades classes range from 12-18 students. They are well supported by subject offerings (Music, Handwork, Spanish, Movement, Agricultural Arts, Middle School Math, and Eurythmy in blocks). Grades and Early Childhood classes spend one day per week in the fall and spring at our farm property where they work with our Agricultural Arts Teacher and full-time Farmer to deepen their connection to and understanding of the land.
About our School
Main Campus
Our main campus is located on 6 acres, nestled in a residential community. Our building features large, thoughtfully designed classrooms with ample storage. We have dedicated rooms for movement/Eurythmy, music, handwork, and math/science.
There are also administrative offices, a faculty lounge, and a separate kitchen for use with classes, a library, and a multi-purpose room used for class plays, assemblies, and school meetings. The expansive grounds include a large open field, climbing trees, a grades playground, a covered basketball court, and two early childhood play yards.
We are currently implementing our landscaping plan to include garden boxes, a fort-building area, a chicken coop and run, a plant-based dye garden, a weaving garden, a running trail, a fruit tree orchard, and a natural play area.
The Surrounding Area
Our location allows faculty and staff to enjoy a rural and urban setting:
Twenty minutes to the south is Oregon’s award-winning and stunning wine country
One hour to the west are Oregon’s picturesque beaches
30 minutes to the east is the hip city of Portland, with excellent restaurants and cultural events
A little over an hour away is the historic Columbia Gorge, which has excellent hiking
Also an hour away is the Cascade Mountain Range, which is rich with outdoor adventures in winter and summer
Swallowtail families primarily reside in nearby communities of Hillsboro, Forest Grove, Cornelius, Beaverton, Banks, North Plains, and Gaston.
Our Farm
Our 26-acre farm property supports the Waldorf curriculum from Early Childhood through Grade 8. Classes spend one full day each week at the farm, taking a break in the coldest winter months. A full-time Farmer holds the health of the land, while an Agricultural Arts Teacher leads subject classes at the farm.
In addition to its daily use by classes, the farm property hosts the entire Swallowtail community throughout the year for traditional Waldorf festivals including Harvest Faire, Lantern Walk, and May Faire.
The farm is at the heart of the Swallowtail community and our identity as a school. Swallowtail faculty will preferably have experience, or a great interest, in weaving outdoor education into the Waldorf curriculum. Swallowtail teachers find their time on the farm to be incredibly enriching for themselves and their students.
Our Faculty
The teachers at Swallowtail honor the individuality and gifts of each child. They are at various stages in their Waldorf teaching careers. Some of our teachers are seasoned, while others are called to Swallowtail as a first job in Waldorf education. All of our teachers have a deep commitment to Waldorf education.
Swallowtail teachers are the heart of the school community, serving on the Board of Trustees, the Family Association, and taking lead roles in planning the school’s annual festivals. They are a source of information and support for families and each other.
Teachers who are hired for lead positions at Swallowtail will have classroom experience, a love and enthusiasm for teaching, and a dedication to Waldorf education. They must either have completed Waldorf training or be currently enrolled in a training program with other teaching certifications and experience.
