[Priority Listing] Pedagogical Director

The Pedagogical Director is a core leadership role within the school’s governance structure and holds primary responsibility for the integrity, vitality, and development of the school’s pedagogical life. Rooted in the principles of Waldorf education and collegial governance as articulated by AWSNA, this position safeguards pedagogical quality while fostering healthy collaboration among faculty, administration, parents, and the Board of Trustees.

The Pedagogical Director carries a clearly defined mandate to oversee pedagogical operations, support and evaluate teaching quality, and steward the school’s educational mission. The Director serves as the primary spokesperson for Waldorf pedagogy within the school community and as the principal pedagogical advisor to the Board of Trustees, participating as a non-voting member.

Through a model of servant leadership and mandate-based authority, the Pedagogical Director cultivates a culture of trust, initiative, accountability, and professional growth. The Director supports faculty in addressing matters essential to the educational mission and the long-term health of the school and is empowered to act on behalf of the school to ensure alignment with established policies, agreements, and AWSNA standards.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The responsibilities of the Pedagogical Director are organized into four primary domains:

1. Pedagogical Leadership and Faculty Development

The Pedagogical Director supports and guides faculty in their professional striving and in the living practice of Waldorf pedagogy.

A. Pedagogical Policy and Curriculum Stewardship

• Provide mandate-based leadership and direct oversight of the Educational Steering group (or equivalent collegial body).
• Collaborate with this body to develop, review, and maintain pedagogical and curricular policies consistent with Waldorf principles and AWSNA expectations.
• Ensure the coherent implementation of pedagogical policies across all sections of the school.
• Safeguard curriculum continuity, developmental appropriateness, and pedagogical integrity from Early Childhood through the upper grades, as applicable.
• Ensure faculty engagement in curriculum development and ongoing professional study.

B. Faculty Selection and Orientation

• Collaborate with the Hiring Committee and Administrative Director to support faculty recruitment, hiring, and selection, ensuring alignment with the school’s pedagogical mission.
• Oversee and coordinate comprehensive orientation processes for new faculty, including pedagogical expectations, collegial culture, and governance structures.

C. Professional Development, Mentoring, and Evaluation

• Maintain awareness of current developments in Waldorf education and relevant educational research.
• Support and coordinate professional development opportunities aligned with individual and school-wide pedagogical goals.
• Oversee faculty mentoring, peer-support structures, self-evaluation, and formal evaluation processes in alignment with AWSNA standards.

D. Faculty Consultation and Student-Related Matters

• Provide consultation and support to faculty regarding student, class, or family concerns, as appropriate.
• Participate in admissions, retention, and dismissal processes in collaboration with class teachers, pedagogical bodies, and administration, honoring both pedagogical insight and administrative clarity.

2. Governance and Administrative Collaboration

• Serve as the school’s pedagogical guardian, ensuring educational coherence, consistency, continuity, and quality.
• Collaborate with the Administrative Director and Finance Committee to align pedagogical priorities with responsible budgeting and resource allocation.
• Work within the school’s mandate and governance structure to develop, review, and refine policies and procedures affecting pedagogical life.
• Partner with the Administrative Director in overseeing AWSNA accreditation and self-study processes.
• Contribute pedagogical leadership to strategic planning initiatives and long-range visioning.

3. Parent and Community Relationships

• Serve as a visible and trusted representative of the school’s pedagogical mission to parents and the wider community.
• Foster proactive, transparent communication by:

1. Collaborating closely with the Parent Association.
2. Supporting parent education initiatives in partnership with faculty.
3. Assisting in the resolution of individual or class-wide concerns in coordination with class teachers, sponsors, and relevant pedagogical bodies, consistent with AWSNA best practices.

4. Board of Trustees Relationship

• Serve as the primary pedagogical advisor to the Board of Trustees.
• Participate as a non-voting Board member, bringing pedagogical insight to Board deliberations while respecting governance boundaries.
• Support the Board’s understanding of Waldorf pedagogy, accreditation requirements, and long-term educational health.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND DISPOSITIONS

• The successful candidate will demonstrate:
• A deep understanding of Waldorf pedagogy, anthroposophical foundations, and AWSNA governance principles.
• The ability to lead through mandate, collaboration, and moral authority rather than hierarchy.
• Skill in supporting faculty through pedagogical, organizational, and cultural development.
• The capacity to balance diverse stakeholder needs with clarity, diplomacy, warmth, and humor.
• Strength in relationship-building, consensus development, and conflict resolution.
• Strong organizational, communication, and time-management skills.
• The ability to translate pedagogical vision into effective structures, processes, and outcomes.
• Proficiency with standard administrative and communication tools.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• The successful candidate will:
• Hold formal Waldorf teacher training and have classroom teaching experience, preferably across multiple school sections.
• Demonstrate successful pedagogical leadership experience within a Waldorf school context.
• Maintain an active and ongoing relationship with Anthroposophy.
• Hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to travel locally and interstate for meetings, conferences, and professional development.

POSITION DETAILS

Title: Pedagogical Director

Reports To: Board of Trustees (by mandate)

Classification: Exempt

Salary Grade: To be determined by HR

Payroll Status: Regular, Full-Time

Scheduled Hours: 40 hours per week (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.) Evening or weekend responsibilities may be required.

Component: To be determined by HR

Salary Range: $80,000 - $95,000 ( based on credentials and experience)

Please submit your letter of interest and resume to [email protected]