1st Grade Teacher

Maple Village Waldorf School in Long Beach, California, is seeking a dedicated and developmentally attuned Lead Grade Teacher to guide a Grade 1 class, beginning in the 2026–2027 school year. This position offers the opportunity to carry a class forward through the elementary grades and to work collaboratively within a collegial, mission-driven Waldorf school community.

The Grade Teacher is responsible for creating a warm, structured, and imaginative learning environment that supports the academic, social, and emotional development of each child in accordance with Waldorf pedagogy and child development. The candidate should possess strong interpersonal and communication skills, effective classroom management, joy, warmth, flexibility, and enthusiasm.

Maple Village Waldorf School is a progressive suburban school housed in a historical church building in the quiet neighborhood of Belmont Heights. Our relationship with Long Beach Parks and Recreation allows us to utilize four parks within walking distance for partial school days. Our school is one of a small number of select private schools in the country to be named a U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School for environmental sustainability, health and wellness, and STEM.

We are located minutes from the beach, 1.5 hours to the desert, 2 hours to the mountains, and 30 minutes from a Waldorf high school. We have a diverse population, and we are focused on equitability and inclusion for people of all religions, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and gender identities/expressions. Our Village has a lot of heart, strong parent participation, and is centered on families, community, parent education, collaboration, and mutual respect.

MVWS is an Associate Member of AWSNA and a Developing Member of WECAN.

Teaching Culture

Our school is going into our 19th year, and programs include Parent/Baby, Parent/Toddler, 3 Preschools, 2 Kindergartens, and Grades 1 – 8. We have an experienced faculty, strong peer mentoring program, and together we study, listen, counsel, laugh, eat, and celebrate.

Our specialty subjects include Handwork, Woodwork, Spanish, Japanese, Games, Strings, Chorus, and Gardening. We also have a strong Early Childhood and Grades Extended Care program.

Primary Responsibilities

The Lead Grade Teacher is responsible for guiding students academically, socially, and emotionally through the elementary and middle school years in alignment with Waldorf pedagogy and child development. Beginning with Grade 1, the teacher designs and delivers a rich, developmentally appropriate curriculum that evolves with the growing capacities of the children as the class progresses through the grades.

The teacher plans and teaches main lesson blocks and subject instruction in core academic areas, integrating storytelling, movement, music, rhythm, and the arts to support deep understanding and joyful learning. Instruction reflects a strong awareness of developmental stages and the changing needs of students from early childhood through early adolescence. Ongoing observation and assessment of students inform instructional planning, classroom management, and individualized support.

As the primary guide for the class, the teacher cultivates a warm, orderly, and respectful classroom environment that supports healthy social dynamics, clear expectations, and a strong sense of community. The teacher works thoughtfully with individual students and the class as a whole, addressing academic progress, social relationships, and emotional well‑being with care and professionalism.

The Lead Grade Teacher maintains regular and meaningful communication with parents, prepares written student reports, and participates in parent‑teacher conferences and class meetings. Clear communication and partnership with families are essential to supporting students’ long‑term development and success.

The teacher collaborates closely with specialty teachers, support staff, and school leadership to ensure coherence across the curriculum and continuity of care for students. Active participation in faculty meetings, pedagogical discussions, professional development, and school events is an…