Administrative Chair

Emerson Waldorf School

Chapel Hill, NC

Start date: August 10, 2026

The Emerson Waldorf School Board of Trustees seeks a caring, thoughtful, and energetic leader who will work in partnership with the Administration, Board of Trustees, and pedagogical leadership to further advance our values of holistic education, social justice, community, and collaboration.  

About the school

A premier preK-12 independent day school, Emerson Waldorf School has a beautiful 54-acre wooded campus located in Chapel Hill, NC.  Situated among forest, fields, and hills, the school’s classrooms, studios, outdoor amphitheater, athletic field, and working farm provide an ideal environment for indoor-outdoor, multisensory education. Founded in 1984, the school has grown from a small handful of students to a robust welcoming community with creative and talented faculty and staff.

Emerson Waldorf School is accredited with the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA) and Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS). EWS also maintains membership with Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America (WECAN) and North Carolina Association of Independent Schools (NCAIS).

Position Summary

The Administrative Chair is responsible for the operational integrity and long-term health of the Emerson Waldorf School. This role is an integral part of the administrative team that is responsible for financial and business management, budgeting, the farm, marketing, fundraising, enrollment, and more. In collaboration with faculty and pedagogical leadership, this role supports the implementation of the school’s daily operations. The Administrative Chair also provides community leadership, represents the school with outside organizations, and builds connections with local businesses and associations.  

Key functions of the Administrator role include: 

• Management of school safety, risk mitigation, and legal compliance through establishment and oversight of policies, procedures, and internal controls

• Leadership for campus planning, needs assessment, stakeholder involvement, and development efforts including involvement in capital budget projects, facility management, and strategic planning

• Support for school marketing, fundraising initiatives, and enrollment strategies

• Ensuring adherence to sound financial management and human resources practices across the school

This is a full time salaried position, salary commensurate with education and experience. Range $50,000-75,000.  Benefits include employer paid health insurance, life insurance, 403(b) retirement, professional development funds, tuition remission, three weeks of paid vacation, and ten days of sick leave.

Education and Qualifications 

• Commitment to our values of holistic education, social justice, community, and collaboration

• Experience mentoring and managing teams in education administration

• Ability to respectfully manage nuanced and sensitive issues with various constituents

• Ability to cultivate collaboration and trust while being an effective liaison among all constituents and building a team environment

• Experience with budget and fiscal oversight

• Successful fundraising experience preferred

• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

• Master’s degree preferred, Bachelor’s degree required

A background in Waldorf teaching or administration, and familiarity with anthroposophical principles and practices, are ideal for this position. An openness to growth and study in these areas will enable the candidate to successfully carry out their responsibilities.

Nondiscrimination Policy

The Emerson Waldorf School does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or national origin in its employment policies, educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

To apply

Please email the following to the attention of the Hiring Committee at registrar@emersonwaldorf.org

• Letter of introduction

• Current resume

• Contact information for a minimum of three professional references with your relationship to the reference e.g., subordinate, colleague, supervisor. Note: the references will not be contacted until the finalist stage of the hiring process, after reaching out directly to applicants. 

Responsible To: Grades Chair

Hours/week: 40 hours per week

Employment Classification: Exempt (Salaried)

Summary

The Handwork Teacher leads age-appropriate handwork education for Grades 1-8 students, including lessons in knitting, crochet, sewing, cross-stitch, felting, and other fiber arts.  They understand Waldorf pedagogy and have an anthroposophical understanding of child development. They are committed to collaborating with innovative and engaged colleagues to create an educational environment aligned with Emerson Waldorf School’s program goals, mission, vision, and values. 

Through purposeful, hands-on work, the Handwork Teacher creates a nurturing environment to support the student’s healthy development.Item description

Through purposeful, hands-on work, the Handwork Teacher creates a nurturing environment to support the student’s healthy development.

Job Responsibilities

CLASSROOM RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plan and implement subject curriculum for for the year that is aligned with Waldorf pedagogy and EWS curriculum guidelines

• Develop written block, weekly and/or daily lesson outline in accordance with the subject curriculum. 

• Present daily subject lessons in a way that reflects the principles of Waldorf methodology.

• Assign age-appropriate work that will give the students ample opportunity both to solidify lesson content and to practice skills. 

• Give timely feedback on student work and allow opportunity for refinement and improvement. 

• Complete interim and final progress reports

• Maintain physical classroom space

• Perform non-teaching duties such as playground supervision, pick-up, and drop-off supervision, and substitution duties, all as scheduled.

• Oversee Subject budget annually, including purchasing and maintaining equipment and materials as needed.

• Manage classroom behavior and discipline

• Collaborate with colleagues to support each child’s healthy development and well-being.

• Assess the evolving needs of each child in the class. Consult with the Educational Support Coordinator, make referrals as needed and implement agreed-upon support plans.

• Collaborate in student support plan meetings and implementation, in conjunction with the Student Support Team

• Build a healthy working relationship with parents to bridge school life and family culture.

• Offer Parent-Teacher Conferences 2x/year.

• Facilitate professional, warm, and clear communication with parents and colleagues.

• Maintain regular communication with families through written updates

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Attend all required meetings (Subject Teacher, Grades faculty, Full Colleague, In-service days, and workweek).

• Participate in committee work as needed.

• Represent the program to parents, other professionals, and the public as needed.

• Work with a mentor or speaking partner regularly.

• Engage in professional development opportunities and reflective practice to continuously enhance teaching skills and knowledge of child development and stay current with Waldorf grades education as it evolves.

• Support Admissions with the enrollment process.

• Contribute as requested to the continual updating of the school’s curriculum document and collaborate with faculty to develop the curriculum.

• Maintain CPR/First Aid Certification and Mandated Reporter Training.

• Represent EWS professionally and comply with school policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee Handbook and Family Handbook. 

Skills & Qualifications

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• A deep interest in child development as seen through the lens of the work of Rudolf Steiner, founder of Waldorf education

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Patience, empathy, and the ability to establish positive relationships with students, colleagues, and parents

• Flexibility and adaptability to work in a dynamic educational environment

• Self-motivated, willingness to be a team player, and has a strong sense of personal responsibility

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: 

We welcome all applications. Our ideal candidate is an experienced Waldorf Handwork teacher trained at an AWSNA-affiliated institute who has solid, demonstrated classroom skills working with grade school students, the ability to work with diverse learning needs, a deep understanding of the Waldorf pedagogy, and a serious lifelong commitment to anthroposophy and education. A college degree is a necessity, and post-graduate studies are preferred.  

OTHER:

• Able to lift up to 25 lbs

• Have mobility required to ensure safety of children and to navigate wooded areas and uneven dirt paths

• Work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions

• Have visual and hearing capabilities that allow consistent supervision of children

• Ability to work on-site; position is not eligible for remote/hybrid work

• Ability to successfully pass and maintain all background checks 

• Ability to successfully attend training for and maintain First Aid & CPR certification

SALARY RANGE:

• $41,500 to $50,000

Benefits

• 10 days of paid sick/personal leave

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans

• Tuition Remission: 

  • First child: 90%

  • Second child: 85% 

  • Third child: 25%

• 403(b) Retirement Program

• Professional Development Funds 

• Employee Assistance Program

APPLY HERE

The Development Director at Emerson Waldorf School plays a key role in supporting the mission of the school by fostering a strong culture of philanthropy and community engagement. This position is responsible for planning and executing a comprehensive fundraising plan that includes donor and [alumni relations], and development events.

Working closely with the Director of Administration, the Board of Trustees, the Enrollment Director, Communications & Marketing Directors, and parent leadership, the Development Director cultivates lasting, meaningful relationships within the school and broader community to secure financial resources that enhance the school’s long-term vitality and strategic initiatives.

APPLY HERE

Emerson Waldorf School is a Waldorf school teaching children from pre-K through 12th grade. It seeks to hire a full-time Eurythmy Teacher to work at its school at 211 New Jericho Rd., Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Job Duties:

Present Eurythmy lessons incorporating grade-specific curriculum, exercises and movements to students in Early Childhood through 5th Grade under the guidance of a mentor eurythmist: Coordinate with colleagues and plan teaching schedules for Eurythmy: Develop weekly and daily Eurythmy lesson outlines: Prepare written interim and final reports, and offer feedback on student work, with opportunity for refinement/improvement: Participate in faculty meetings, committees, and Work Weeks (June and August): Direct or lead students in Eurythmy presentations; lead faculty in Eurythmy exercises: Attend school events, including assemblies, ceremonies, class plays, festivals, and school fairs; perform Eurythmy at select events.

Requirements:

• Relevant Bachelor’s degree or higher

• Eurythmy diploma

Please forward your application with resume to Emerson Waldorf School, Attention: Bob Roberson at broberson@emersonwaldorf.org

Responsible To: Director of Administration

This position is open beginning August 11, 2025.

Hours/week: 12.5 Hours (Part-Time)

Pay: $25/hr

Employment Classification: Non-Exempt

APPLY HERE

The Emerson Waldorf School in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is seeking part-time, hourly Substitute Teachers in the Early Childhood, Grade School, or High School. We prefer applicants with a college degree and teaching experience. We also prefer that our applicants have an understanding of child development and an ability to create a positive learning environment.

Pay: $25/hr

APPLY HERE