Handwork Specialty Teacher (Grades 1 to 8) - Mulberry Waldorf School

Mulberry Waldorf School is seeking a Grade School Handwork Specialty Teacher for a one-year, part-time contract position from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026. During the school year, the part-time contract will be for a minimum of six, and maximum of ten, 40 minute periods per week, generally between the hours of 11:30 and 3:30 (we have some flexibility to work with the availability and expertise of candidates). There will be occasional weeknight or weekend work for parent meetings, staff meetings, and school activities. During the summer, the expectations are to prepare for the school year (curriculum and materials).

ABOUT MULBERRY: 

Mulberry Waldorf School, established in 1996, offers programs for students and their parents from birth through Grade Eight. We are located within an active downtown community in beautiful and historic Kingston, with access to local parks, waterfront, conservation areas and provincial parks. Our teachers, administration, parents and a Board of Directors sustain the operations of the School.

SCOPE OF THE POSITION:

Handwork Specialty Teacher works out of Mulberry Waldorf School’s Vision and Mission and within our Governance Structure (https://www.mulberrywaldorfschool.ca/about-mulberry.html). Our Hand Work program (art and hand crafts) provides a holistic approach to our experiential education. The arts are fully integrated into our methodology of the entire curriculum, enriching fine-motor movement and interdisciplinary skills and building and developing a child's creative capacities. Students participate in various handcrafts, including, but not limited to, hand-sewing, knitting, crocheting, embroidery, wool-felting, machine-sawing, and woodworking. Summer, planning, curriculum development, and resource set-up are expected. Ideally, the Handwork Specialty teacher will spend time observing in one of our classrooms before the end of the 2024-2025 school year.

KEY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION:

The ideal candidate will have a passion for holistic education, and experience in Waldorf education and/or experience working with elementary school-aged children. We are looking for candidates with the following skills/certification:

• Demonstrated proficiency in a variety of handwork techniques.
• Waldorf Teaching Certificate and/or B.Ed. degree preferred
• Proven ability to work with children and/or young people in a classroom setting.
• Ability to design and implement engaging and creative handwork projects.
• Ability to manage planning, assessment, and paperwork effectively.
• Current Police Check, including the Vulnerable Sector Check
• Current Standard First Aid Certification
• Experience and confidence with positive behaviour management
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with children, colleagues and parents
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues
• Strong initiative and work ethic
• Handwork skills (knitting, crocheting, hand sewing, embroidery)
• Safe Food Handling Certificate - online training

The ideal candidate will:

• Plan and implement handwork lessons that align with the Waldorf curriculum and age-appropriate developmental stages.
• Teach and guide students in a variety of handwork techniques, including but not limited to: hand-sewing, knitting, crocheting, embroidery, wool-felting, machine-sawing, and woodworking.
• Observe and assess student progress in handwork skills, providing constructive feedback and support.
• Create a warm and nurturing environment for children with clear, consistent boundaries
• Collaborate with class teachers and other specialists to integrate handwork into the broader curriculum.
• Maintain regular communication with parents regarding student progress and activities.
• Follow the school’s Code of Conduct: respecting self, others, and the environment
• Follow the Confidentiality and Conduct Agreement

COMPENSATION:

• Salary is determined by base salary multiplied by a qualifier for qualifications and years of experience. The current base salary for full-time (100%) Specialty Teachers is $46,254. This is a 27% to 45% position with a salary of approximately $12,489 to $20,814.
• The school supports professional development and offers health allowances, mentoring, and tuition reductions for staff children.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND DEADLINE:

We invite interested applicants to send a cover letter, resumé, and contact information (email and phone number) for two professional references to the Human Resources Committee at jennytaylor.mws@gmail.com. 

Deadline to Apply: Applications will be accepted until April 25, 2025.

We thank all candidates in advance, but will only contact those selected for an interview.

Mulberry Waldorf School is committed to employment equity and welcomes diversity in the workplace. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates; however,

Permanent Residents will be given priority.