Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor is seeking Collaborative Teacher’s Assistants for our early childhood program, both full day and afternoon positions. These individuals should enjoy working with young children, be able to foster an inclusive and welcoming environment, love spending time outdoors/being in nature, and be able to work collaboratively with the lead teachers. Our school is looking for someone who values authentic relationships, innovation, and a commitment to diversity and belonging work.

The part-time collaborative teacher role supports the daily operations of the class. You would spend your mornings preparing the classroom for the day, observing and supporting the children in their projects and their free play, and creating a safe outdoor environment for children to learn and grow. In the afternoon, the teacher co-leads lunch, rest, and reading time for the children. The collaborative and lead teacher work as a team to support the class throughout the day and work collaboratively together to track and support the children’s learning. Available positions’ hours are either from 8am to 2:45pm or 11:30 to 5 in the afternoon, supporting Aftercare in the second half of the day (those hours have the option to be flexible).

These part time roles are wonderful for adults at different stages in their professional life. Our experienced teachers provide a great environment for someone who is looking to spend time with children, deepen their understanding of child development, or gain experience working in an education setting. Working in an independent school setting that prioritizes social emotional education, movement, nature and play-based learning is a great way to bring your ideals of education into fruition as a part of a collaborative team.

Responsibilities of the Role:

• Work primarily with children from ages 3-6 years old
• Help support the daily classroom rhythm
• Work collaboratively with the lead teacher and other early childhood faculty members
• Lead lunch and rest time in the afternoon
• Supervise children to ensure safe and supportive classroom environments and play About Our School

We support our students, teachers, and administration through a strong curriculum, schedules, festivals, and school-wide collaboration.We offer both Spanish and German from first to twelfth grade, a growing movement program, strong fine and practical arts, choral and instrumental music. We celebrate a wide mix of traditional festivals from around the world, including Rosh Hashanah, Diwali, Dia de Los Muertos, Lunar New Year, and Eid al- Fitr. We have a strong and active faculty, and over the past year we have worked with Alma Partners to develop our work. With over 275 students, preschool through grade 12, RSSAA allows the full Waldorf pedagogy to unfold. We have a deeply experienced staff of Waldorf-trained faculty, working out of the principles of Waldorf education and anthroposophy, recognizing the spirituality of all individuals. We feel that the best education should help students not only become knowledgeable adults, but also secure, creative, and independent thinkers in later life. Our education strives to foster individuals who have confidence in themselves and are prepared to meet the challenges of our rapidly changing society. We endeavor to help students see connections between disciplines, synthesize and integrate information, and continue to love learning throughout their lives. Founded in 1980, RSSAA started with Grades 1-4 in a small building and has grown into a vibrant community.

Our high school campus (Pontiac Trail) is a short drive away and offers a space for the students to fully appreciate the richness of the curriculum and have their own social space. The school supports our students, teachers, and administration through a strong curriculum, schedules, festivals, and school-wide collaboration. We offer both Spanish and German from first to twelfth grade, a growing movement program, strong fine and practical arts, choral and instrumental music. We celebrate a wide mix of traditional festivals from around the world, including Rosh Hashanah, Diwali, Day of the Dead, Lunar New Year, and Eid. We have an engaged and active faculty and have worked with Alma Partners to continue to develop our work.

Lower School Campus (Newport Rd): The Lower School Campus (Early Childhood – 8th grade) is on 13 wooded and grassy acres, set in a suburban neighborhood, close to the river. We strive to be in balance with our grounds through working with native species in our outdoor education program, while having plenty of play spaces, a gymnasium, and a soccer field for sports activities and gatherings. Our Middle School classes are in a separate building on the Lower School campus. High School Campus (Pontiac Trail): What once was a family-owned factory was thoughtfully transformed by an architect to be a warm and inspiring high school. For over 25 years, we have developed our advanced academics, life science labs, eurythmy space, grounds and gardens, and a gymnasium.

Waldorf Education

As a community, we continue to hold the question of how to best meet the children of today through a pedagogy that upholds the dignity of each human being, and what we must reimagine to do so. Waldorf education was created to offer a multi-sensory and holistic approach to education that strives to acknowledge the gifts and reduce the struggles of every individual. Our pedagogy works to meet the developmental needs of children as it supports children’s academic, social, and emotional health through critical thinking, creativity, arts, and movement. We believe children need less memorization and testing of facts, and instead, more connection and hands-on learning inspired by the truth, beauty, and wisdom of our world. Waldorf education was also founded on the principle that faculty should play an active role in governance and decision making. To find out more about this unique approach, visit the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America: https://www.waldorfeducation.org/waldorf-education

Benefits of Working at RSSAA

Becoming a part of a community that:

• Cares about you as a person, your continued development, and your life outside of school.
• Values human connection and creates an environment that inspires strong relationships between our students, families, and colleagues as well as in the larger community.
• Offers a supportive and creative work environment that encourages new ideas and provides opportunities for growth.
• Always considers how to best meet the children of today through a pedagogy that upholds the dignity of each human being while exploring what we must reimagine in our work in order to be effective.

Our campuses are located a few minutes from downtown Ann Arbor, the university, and hospital. The extended Ann Arbor area offers the richness and diversity of a university town with a small-town feel. It has many events, festivals, art, music, dance and social activities throughout the year. Ann Arbor is rich in natural landscapes, providing many scenic parks along the river and nearby lakes. It is an area with many different job opportunities for other family members, if needed. Ann Arbor is home to the Anthroposophical Society in America, Rudolf Steiner Health Center for anthroposophical medicine, as well as a biodynamic farm, the Community Farm of Ann Arbor. We are a 40-minute drive from Detroit, which offers the cultural richness of an urban center, museums, cultural connections, and Detroit Waldorf School. Michigan’s watersheds and the Great Lakes offer wonderful places to visit and vacation. To learn more about Ann Arbor, visit: Michigan's Guide to Ann Arbor

To Apply

We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive community and encourage candidates from historically marginalized communities and those traditionally underrepresented in Waldorf schools to apply.

Candidates should submit:

• A cover letter that outlines their professional experience and how it supports this position.
• A comprehensive resume or CV.
• Contact information for three professional references.
• Applications may be sent to Angela Gladstone via email at agladstone@steinerschool.org. For more details about the school and the role, visit Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor’s website.

Compensation This is a part time, hourly role that starts at $18 an hour, with an average of 29 hours a week. RSSAA is also willing to sponsor employees through the T.E.A.C.H Michigan Early Childhood Scholarship Program which offers funds to support higher education degrees in the fields of Early Childhood Education or Special Education, Lower Elementary Education Programs, or Child Development.

Desired Skills and Attributes Passion for early childhood education

• An individual with patience handling student conflict Creativity and imagination to meet the children at their development stage
• An ability to see how to support the whole class, lead teacher, and children that may have challenges
• Excellent communication skills to work effectively with teachers, families, and committees
• Candidates for this position must be able occasionally lift up to 50 pounds, have the ability to sit, walk and stand for significant periods of time, be able to dress for work outside in all weather, and the ability to visually and auditorily supervise children.