Job Description

Early Childhood Assistant Teacher  

Beginning 2026/27 School Year

Why Chicago Waldorf School?  

At Chicago Waldorf School, we offer the unique opportunity to practice Waldorf education within a thriving, urban landscape. As one of the most established Waldorf schools in the United States, we provide a professional home where educators are empowered, celebrated, and supported. 

Our Community by the Numbers:  

• 100% of our faculty feel trusted to teach with autonomy and professional creativity.* 
• 96% of our faculty would enthusiastically recommend CWS as a place to work.* 
• 50 Years: Celebrating a half-century of educational excellence in Chicago. 
• 46% of our students identify as BIPOC, reflecting our commitment to equity. 
• 46 Zip Codes: Our community spans the entire Chicagoland area. 
• 34 Countries & 22 Languages: A truly global community in one building. 
• 9 Specialists: Robust support through our Social Work and Learning Support departments. 

*Results from the 2025 and 2026 Climate and Equity Survey  

Position Overview  

The Chicago Waldorf School has several openings for Classroom Assistants for the 2026-2027 school year! These are full-time seasonal positions that offer the opportunity for growth and collaboration. We especially welcome diverse applicants to apply for these positions. Come and join our team! 

Classroom Assistants for Early Childhood   

The Early Childhood Assistant works closely with and is guided by the lead teacher of the class. Working together, the Lead teacher and assistant create a warm, joyful and inclusive classroom community. During the morning, the lead teacher supervises the class and the assistant acts as a support to the lead teacher. In the lead teacher’s absence, the assistant may take on the role of the lead in the class. This position begins in late-August and interviews will happen in early June.

Our Early Childhood Program  

You may be a great fit for our Early Childhood Program if you share these values: 

• children should have no or very limited time on screens 
• children learn through play before formal academics are introduced 
• teachers should provide a healthy model for meaningful work and speech that children can imitate 
• outdoor play in all weather is healthy and fun 
• education is to build capacities of independence and empathy 
• risk and challenge are important 
• steady rhythm and predictability are nurturing 
• children are not little adults 
• less talking is better

Qualifications **  

The ideal candidate will be someone who:  

• Demonstrates joy and reverence for childhood 
• Spends time outdoors in all weather 
• Can sit and stand for long periods of time, sometimes on the floor 
• Prepares simple snacks 
• Prepares and tidies the room 
• Prepares materials for classroom activities 
• Helps with festivals and celebrations 
• Participates in daily song and movement activities 
• Assists children in bathroom and during nap time 
• Has knowledge/experience with Waldorf Education and Early Childhood 
• A candidate with a B.A. or equivalent is preferred for this position and a degree is required for advancement in our school 

Compensation & Amenities  

The salary is commensurate with experience beginning in the range of $29,000 and continuing upwards.

We encourage you to forward this job opening to others who may be interested. To apply please send your resume and letter of interest to: recruitment@chicagowaldorf.org . 

** Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in a job post. We are most interested in finding the best candidate and future colleagues. We would encourage you to apply, even if you don’t believe you meet every one of our qualifications described.  

More About the Chicago Waldorf School   

Founded in 1974, CWS is an established Waldorf school offering a full curriculum that remains deeply committed to its urban roots. We explore and enrich the Waldorf curriculum through the arts, equity and inclusion, and the specific time and place in which we live. 

For the past seven years, we have been settled in our permanent home: the landmark Lyman Trumbull building in Andersonville. Our campus includes 49 classrooms and offices, a gym, an auditorium, and two outdoor parks. We maintain active partnerships with many businesses and organizations in the surrounding neighborhood, ensuring the school is a functional part of the local community. 

Our faculty members come from around the world and represent all stages of life. We prioritize a supportive transition for new staff, including: 

• Mentorship: Every new teacher is assigned a mentor and provided with weekly mentoring meetings. 
• Professional Development: Faculty have regular access to PD funds and participate in weekly meetings to study Rudolph Steiner’s pedagogical insights, current educational perspectives and for artistic work 
• Ongoing Training: We provide training in first aid, sexual harassment prevention, and trans-inclusivity, alongside SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) seminars, and curriculum-based preparation 

In addition to core academic subjects, we teach music, German, Spanish, Eurythmy, gardening, parkour, and practical and fine arts. Our families are international and reflect diversity in many forms, united by a shared desire for a developmental curriculum that recognizes the whole child and celebrates individual differences. 

Equal Opportunity Employer   

The Chicago Waldorf School does not discriminate in its hiring practices, and beyond that has a deep commitment to respect and celebrate the differences in students and staff from widely diverse social, economic, cultural, linguistic, intellectual, racial, educational, and religious backgrounds. There is a sustained effort to improve and clear recognition that our educational excellence and fulfillment of our school’s mission is dependent on embracing diversity in our school community. We seek to fully include and affirm faculty, staff, and students in all their identities. In everything we do, we work toward freedom, responsibility, and excellence. The Chicago Waldorf School provides its teachers, staff and families with ongoing opportunities to study and discuss aspects of diversity.  

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