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Pedagogical Director | Updated December 2015

Reports to: School Director

Position Summary:

The Pedagogical Director is a leadership position designed to support collaboration and communication among constituencies of the school. The position reports to and is supervised by the School Director. The Pedagogical Director is accountable for ensuring an exemplary Waldorf student experience at Shining Mountain Waldorf School.

The Pedagogical Director has authority to require compliance with established policies, procedures, practices, and agreements, and to initiate corrective procedures as appropriate. He or she may participate on those bodies that form and modify school policies.

The Pedagogical Director is one of the leadership positions that inspires a culture of collaborative initiative at Shining Mountain Waldorf School and works to create a shared vision for the future of the school.

This Pedagogical Director position may involve a combination of teaching and administration responsibilities.

Essential Functions:

The primary responsibilities of the Pedagogical Director are broadly captured under four areas, with the focus or emphasis shifting between these areas as the leadership structure changes and the needs of the organization strategically evolve:

1) Pedagogical Development/Support of Faculty

  • Work closely with pedagogical bodies to:
  • Define and ensure the implementation of the pedagogical vision and goals of the school.
  • Assure quality of teaching and appropriate delivery of the curriculum.
  • Visit and observe all classes regularly.
  • Provide oversight of the Hiring Committee and the hiring process for Faculty.
  • Chairs the Personnel Committee.
  • Provides oversight of professional development.
  • Assist faculty members with pedagogical questions.
  • Support faculty members in addressing parent concerns.
  • Maintain an awareness of ongoing curriculum and pedagogical developments in both Waldorf education and the larger educational community.
  • Maintain the “public face” of the school to the parent body and the broader community, ensuring that the mission of the Shining Mountain Waldorf School is communicated in a way which is accessible to these groups.

2) Administrative

  • Oversee processes that ensure the school’s pedagogical quality, consistency, coherence, and continuity.
  • Develop and refine policies and procedures in conjunction with pedagogical bodies and the School Director.
  • Is a member of the group that oversees and manages the Accreditation process.

3) Parental Liaison

  • May assist the Ombudsman in managing the concerns of the parent community.
  • Support the development of parent education through the CRC.
  • Work with the faculty to support the resolution of individual parent or class-wide pedagogical concerns.

4) Committee Work

  • May attend sectional meetings, departmental meetings and various committee meetings as needed.
  • Membership in and regular attendance at College of Teachers meetings required.
  • Member of Governance Council.
  • Member of Personnel Committee.
  • Member of the Hiring Committee.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

The successful candidate will:

  • Have a demonstrated commitment to collaboration, objectivity, relationship and consensus building as well as conflict resolution.
  • Be a person who is accessible and approachable, who deals with people in a welcoming and engaging way, and who leads by active involvement in the life of the school.
  • Be an individual who is responsive and non-reactive and leads through a balance of inspiration and discipline, vision and practicality.
  • Possess the ability to work collaboratively and be an effective liaison between leadership and governing bodies.
  • Possess considerable knowledge of Waldorf education, its principles, techniques and methods, and a connection to Anthroposophy on which the education is rooted.

Education and Relevant Work Experience:

  • The successful candidate will:
    • Have previous successful leadership experience in a Waldorf context.
    • Have at least 10 years’ experience as a Waldorf teacher and significant experience in leadership/administrative roles.
    • Preferably possess a Master’s Degree; Bachelor’s degree required.
    • Be willing to engage conflict and work towards positive resolution.

We offer a competitive salary, contingent on experience and qualifications and an excellent benefit package. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. If interested, please forward your resume, cover letter and three references to hrmgr@smwaldorf.org.