Director of Education

Richmond Waldorf School (RWS) seeks candidates for the position of Director of Education .

About Richmond Waldorf School

Richmond Waldorf School was founded in 1996 with a passion for providing children a holistic education that falls in alignment with their natural human development through hands-on, nature-rich, and play-based experiences. We are dedicated to providing a learning environment that cultivates creative thinking, genuine inquiry, and a love of learning. RWS has grown from a single Kindergarten classroom to a campus that serves 200 students from Pre-K through 8th grade. Our specialty program includes Movement Arts, French, Biking, Handwork, Music and Strings, Woodwork, Visual Arts, and Latin. Richmond Waldorf School is a Candidate School of AWSNA (Association of Waldorf Schools of North America), SAIS (Southern Association of Independent Schools) and is a member of WECAN (Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America). We have a College, Board of Trustees, and Parents Association that help ensure support for the health of the school.

Our school is located on a beautiful, urban campus in the Northside of Richmond, Virginia in close proximity to Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Richmond, and only a few hours from the Blue Ridge Mountains, Washington, DC, and the coastal beaches of Virginia and North Carolina. Richmond is a rapidly growing city with amazing restaurants, a thriving art and music scene, and a plethora of outdoor parks and walking trails. The James River winds its way through the heart of the city, offering four seasons of adventure and beauty.

To read more about our school, please go to our website at .

Position Responsibilities

Summary:

Richmond Waldorf School is seeking a Director of Education to oversee the pedagogical operations of the school. The Director of Education works with faculty, board, parents, administration, and the larger Richmond and Waldorf communities to build positive relationships that contribute to the expansion of our educational program and enrollment. This position works closely with and helps to coordinate the work of the faculty.

The Director of Education brings a whole-school perspective to all discussions, bridging administrative and pedagogical insights. They create and realize strategic visions in collaboration with other school leadership, including faculty, administration, board, and committees.

Essential Functions:

• In collaboration with the College of Teachers, oversee and facilitate processes that ensure the school’s pedagogical quality, consistency, and continuity.
• Represent and advocate for the faculty within school and in the larger community. Connect the faculty realm with other realms of the school.
• Assist faculty in establishing and carrying out policies, procedures, and workflows. Ensure faculty is adhering to established policies and procedures. Prepare updates and disseminate to each realm of the school, as necessary.
• Provide support to help teachers with issues related to teaching, curriculum, and student development and conduct.
• Promote, organize, and ensure follow-through with faculty mentoring/advising and evaluation process.
• Coordinate faculty enrichment programs/workshops/study in consultation with the College Chair.
• Oversee the hiring and termination process of faculty.
• Receive issues and complaints. Direct individuals to appropriate people or groups for resolution and/or help problem solve. Follow-up to make sure issues are resolved.
• Chair weekly faculty meeting. Attend College, Administrative, and Board of Trustees meetings. Attend Section meetings, as necessary.
• Partner with DOA and AWSNA and WECAN faculty representatives to to support AWSNA and WECAN relationship.. Disseminate information to faculty regarding AWSNA/ WECAN events and news. Oversee completion of annual AWSNA/WECAN requirements.
• Oversee DSS and VDOE Licensing, in collaboration with the Director of Administration.
• Deepen understanding of students and curriculum by observing in the classrooms when possible.
• Collaborate on enrollment decisions when necessary.
• Update Faculty and Parent Handbooks with the Director of Administration.
• Assist the Director of Administration with annual employment agreements.
• Oversee Substitute Program.
• Oversee the Aftercare program.
• Help maintain accreditation status.
• Maintains positive relationships with parents and responds to all parent concerns
• Maintains positive, professional relationships with colleagues and responds to all collegial concerns
• Engages in on-going professional and personal growth
• Fulfills other duties, as assigned, relative to the job responsibilities

Competencies:

• Ability to advise, support, and hold accountable professional educators
• Ability to inspire and motivate others
• Ability to anticipate needs and prioritize resources
• Ability to manage, refine, and execute on institutional systems
• Working with Anthroposophy to provide direction for the Waldorf curriculum and overall programs
• Excellent human relationship skills with children and adults
• Positive, professional relationships with colleagues
• Positive, professional relationships with parents and volunteers
• Clear and timely communication with parents and colleagues
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

Experience

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution
• Certification in Waldorf Education or the willingness to commit to
• 5+ years of teaching experience
• Supervisory experience in a school setting

Preferred:

• The preferred candidate will have a background working in Waldorf Education and demonstrated leadership experience as it relates to curriculum, student assessment, faculty evaluation and professional development, community building and engagement, facilitation and problem resolution.The Director of Education will be expected not only to be enthusiastically accessible to students, staff, and the parental community, but also be a compelling advocate for Waldorf education to the greater Richmond community.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing. The employee must frequently lift and/or move items up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a 40-hour per week position. The salary rate for this regular, full-time, exempt position is $60,000 to $75,000 per year, depending on exact experience and qualifications. This is a 12-month school year position beginning on or around July 1, 2026. RWS offers the following benefits to full-time staff:

• Health, Dental and Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Short- and Long-Term Disability insurance
• 80 hours Paid Time Off (PTO) per fiscal year (July 1 to June 30)
• Paid Holidays & School Breaks (subject to finalized school schedule each year)
• 90% Tuition remission for dependent child/ren enrolled at RWS
• Free Aftercare for dependent children during scheduled work hours (children must also be enrolled in a school program.)

To apply

Interested applicants should complete the application and submit their resume and cover letter. Priority consideration will be given to candidates that apply by March 1st; the position will remain open until filled.