Handwork Teacher

Overview

Job Purpose Statement:

As a member of the faculty at Maple Village Waldorf School, the Handwork Teacher is responsible for leading artistic, age-appropriate handwork education of elementary and middle school students. Rooted in the Waldorf philosophy, handwork plays a vital role in supporting child development, nurturing self-discipline, imagination, perseverance, and a deep connection to the material world.

The Handwork Teacher leads lessons in knitting, crochet, sewing, cross-stitch, felting, and other fiber arts. Through meaningful, process-based work, students strengthen fine motor coordination, attention to detail, a sense of aesthetic form, and joy in purposeful activity.

Hours:

This is a part-time position during the school year. Approx. 10 - 12 class periods per week. Classes are 45 minutes in duration.

Compensation:

MVWS offers a competitive salary ranging from $35-$50 per 45-minute lesson (including prep time).

Reports to: Pedagogical Committee

• Design and lead handwork lessons grounded in Waldorf pedagogy for Grades 1 – 8, in collaboration with the school’s handwork mentor.
• Foster creativity, perseverance, and artistic appreciation through developmentally appropriate fiber arts projects.
• Adapt lessons to support students with a variety of learning styles, skill levels, and abilities.
• Create and maintain a physically safe, aesthetically intentional, and emotionally supportive classroom environment.
• Observe, document, and assess student progress through hands-on learning; write end-of-year student reports.
• Maintain an organized and well-supplied handwork classroom.
• Collaborate closely with class teachers and specialty colleagues to support cross-curricular learning.
• Attend monthly specialty teacher meetings, in-service days, and participate in regular faculty meetings.
• Participate in parent engagement events, including Parent Orientation, teacher information meetings, and evening class parent meetings to present aspects of the handwork program.
• Actively contribute to school festivals, celebrations, and community events.
• Engage in ongoing professional development and reflective teaching practice.

• Handwork Education and Training
• Teaching experience in classroom/group settings for elementary and/or middle school.
• Willingness to learn about Waldorf education and incorporate Waldorf principles of child development into teaching.

• Skills: Exemplary classroom management and discipline; strong fiscal and administrative responsibilities, listening, verbal, written, and interpersonal communication.
• Knowledge: Knowledge of handwork instruction for elementary and middle school students; knowledge of Waldorf education.
• Ability: Relate to, motivate, and challenge children; commitment to collaborative decision-making; ability to collaborate with faculty; ability to communicate effectively with students, colleagues, and parents; ability to be punctual, starting and ending classes on time.

• Frequent: Standing, walking
• Occasional: Sitting, lifting and carrying

• Education required: Bachelor’s Degree Preferred
• Licenses, Certifications, Bonding and/or Testing
  
  Required:
  
  Live-Scan Clearance, Clear TB Test, and completed HR online trainings.

We are a progressive suburban school housed in a historic 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 was recently 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 are focused on equitability and inclusion for people of all religions, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and gender identities/expressions. MVWS is an Associate Member of AWSNA and a Developing Member of WECAN.

Our school is entering its 18th year and programs include Parent/Baby, Parent/Toddler, 3…