Employment at Swallowtail School
Guiding Vision: To recruit, retain, and reward dynamic, engaged faculty who embrace ongoing learning and work in partnership to explore innovative, relevant programming.
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The First Grade assistant supports the lead teacher in providing a Waldorf education for our first grade students. In the forefront of our work will be warmth, rhythm, health, safety, professionalism, a reverence for nature and for one another.
Specific duties for the Teaching Assistant position include:
Assisting the Lead Teacher in the daily rhythm of the classroom
Attentive supervision of students with an eye to safety at all times
Supporting individual students as they join class activities
Demonstrating warmth, compassion and love while holding appropriate boundaries
Preparing supplies for daily activities and providing care to maintain a clean and orderly classroom
Attending Department meetings, as needed
Other relevant tasks as needed
Required Trainings/Attributes
A dedication to Waldorf Education
A love of children and a deep desire to support their growth
Current CPR and First Aid (within 30 days of hire)
Other expectations
On-site hours are M-F from 8:15 am to 3:15 pm. You may occasionally need to come in early or stay late to attend meetings or other events as needed;
Attend certain community events that may occur outside of school hours.
Serve as a role model in the community, demonstrating respect for administration, colleagues, staff members, and families.
To be considered, please send a letter of interest and resume to Hiring@SwallowtailSchool.org
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Swallowtail School is seeking a dynamic, caring class teacher to lead our rising first grade class for the 2026-27 school year. Our class teachers ideally continue to guide their students on their journey through the eighth grade.
The 1st Grade Teacher is responsible for bringing developmentally appropriate curriculum in accordance with the principles and methods of Waldorf Education. In the forefront of our work will be warmth, rhythm, health, safety, professionalism, a reverence for nature and for one another. The Class Teacher is also responsible for forming and maintaining a healthy social life in their class and for incorporating the student families into the school life. They are an important member of the Grades team and are expected to work collaboratively with colleagues, share responsibilities for program delivery, and serve as a role model within the school community.
Specific duties for the 1st Grade Position include:
Develop class curriculum incorporating:
An anthroposophical understanding of the developmental needs of the students
Our shared commitment to bringing greater diversity, equity, and inclusion to Waldorf Education
Swallowtail grade-level benchmarks and recent assessments or observations, to build capacities and ensure academic growth
Prepare a school-year schedule of subject blocks (block rotation) in the summer and daily written lesson plans throughout the year. Daily lessons should include movement, music, rhythm, story and imagery, review, and new instruction. Written plans should include learning goals and a space for reflection.
Provide a consistent rhythm of the day, week, and year
Dress in appropriate gear for the weather when outdoors, and uphold that expectation with students
Ensure a beautiful and well-kept classroom
Maintain a healthy classroom atmosphere of respect and attention by holding appropriate boundaries with children in a calm and centered manner
Assess the growth and development of students in the program, communicating proactively with parents and Student Support Coordinator if a student is in need of extra support
Interview prospective children and their families as part of the admissions process
Offer at least one fall and one spring conference to each family in the class, including a written progress report for the family and the student file
Help families understand the principles of Waldorf Education and the developmental needs of their children through weekly class emails, distributed readings or other resources, and by planning and conducting at least 3 Curriculum Evenings each year
Write a comprehensive Year-End-Report for each student, due 3 weeks from the last day of school
Evaluate daily work and provide ongoing feedback and guidance to students
In 5th grade and above - complete written block reports at the termination of each block
Regarding Collegial Work and Professional Development
We encourage all teachers to attend morning verse
Participate in Grades section meetings, working collaboratively in the areas of curriculum development, planning, student affairs, etc.
Attend collegial meetings and in-services, including 3 days in June and August
Complete a summer training each year (must be pre-approved by Pedagogical Chair)
Serve on at least one school committee or leadership group (1st year teachers exempt)
Support and abide by decisions of the school leadership groups, including Leadership Council, the Faculty, and the Board of Trustees
Work with mentor if assigned and with Pedagogical Chair
Participate in annual self-evaluation and review with Director and Pedagogical Chair
Work with an outside evaluator in the classroom, in the first year of teaching and every odd year
Submit class calendar dates for coming year by summer deadline of given year
Participate in all festivals, fundraisers, and all-school meetings
Participate in some outreach events, work parties, and school-wide family education evenings
Required Trainings/Attributes
A dedication to Waldorf Education
Waldorf Grades Teaching Certification
At least one year of classroom teaching experience
A love of children and a deep desire to support their growth
Excellent classroom management skills
Willingness to be part of a culture that values professional growth and ongoing positive and constructive feedback.
Strong written and verbal communication skills
The desire and ability to work collaboratively with all members of the school community
The ability to adapt the curriculum to the skills and needs of a class or individual child
Current CPR, First Aid, and Food Handlers (within 30 days of hire)
To be considered, please send a letter of interest, resume, and three references to Hiring@SwallowtailSchool.org
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Substitute teachers should have classroom experience and an interest in Waldorf Education. All substitutes must pass a background check and those who work in our Preschool or Kindergarten must also be listed in the Central Background Registry through the Early Learning Division of the Oregon Dept. of Education.
To be considered for substitute work during the 2025-26 school year, please send a letter of interest and resume to Hiring@SwallowtailSchool.org
Current
Openings
Swallowtail At A Glance
Swallowtail School serves approximately 150 students from PreK through Grade 8. We are located at the intersection of rural Oregon farmland and the Portland suburbs, with a main campus in Cornelius and a farm property a few minutes away in Hillsboro.
At Swallowtail, we are fortunate to have an exceptionally committed and supportive community of families, and a close-knit collegial group that value working together in collaboration. We have a thriving Early Childhood program with one preschool and two mixed-age kindergartens, and those classes are usually full with a wait list. Grades classes range from 12-18 students. They are well supported by subject offerings (Music, Handwork, Spanish, Movement, Agricultural Arts, Middle School Math, and Eurythmy in blocks).
Grades and Early Childhood classes spend one day per week in the fall and spring at our farm property, where they work with our Agricultural Arts Teacher and full-time Farmer to deepen their connection to and understanding of the land.
About Swallowtail School
Main Campus
Our main campus is located on 6 acres, nestled in a residential community. Our building features large, thoughtfully designed classrooms with ample storage. We have dedicated rooms for movement/Eurythmy, music, handwork, and math/science.
There are also administrative offices, a faculty lounge, and a separate kitchen for use with classes, a library, and a multi-purpose room used for class plays, assemblies, and school meetings. The expansive grounds include a large open field, climbing trees, a grades playground, a covered basketball court, and two early childhood play yards.
We are currently implementing our landscaping plan to include garden boxes, a fort-building area, a chicken coop and run, a plant-based dye garden, a weaving garden, a running trail, a fruit tree orchard, and a natural play area.
The Surrounding Area
Our location allows faculty and staff to enjoy a rural and urban setting:
Twenty minutes to the south is Oregon’s award-winning and stunning wine country
One hour to the west are Oregon’s picturesque beaches
30 minutes to the east is the hip city of Portland, with excellent restaurants and cultural events
A little over an hour away is the historic Columbia Gorge, which has excellent hiking
Also an hour away is the Cascade Mountain Range, which is rich with outdoor adventures in winter and summer
Swallowtail families primarily reside in nearby communities of Hillsboro, Forest Grove, Cornelius, Beaverton, Banks, North Plains, and Gaston.
Our Farm
Our 26-acre farm property supports the Waldorf curriculum from Early Childhood through Grade 8. Classes spend one full day each week at the farm, taking a break in the coldest winter months. A full-time Farmer holds the health of the land, while an Agricultural Arts Teacher leads subject classes at the farm.
In addition to its daily use by classes, the farm property hosts the entire Swallowtail community throughout the year for traditional Waldorf festivals including Harvest Faire, Lantern Walk, and May Faire.
The farm is at the heart of the Swallowtail community and our identity as a school. Swallowtail faculty will preferably have experience, or a great interest, in weaving outdoor education into the Waldorf curriculum. Swallowtail teachers find their time on the farm to be incredibly enriching for themselves and their students.
Our Faculty
The teachers at Swallowtail honor the individuality and gifts of each child. They are at various stages in their Waldorf teaching careers. Some of our teachers are seasoned, while others are called to Swallowtail as a first job in Waldorf education. All of our teachers have a deep commitment to Waldorf education.
Swallowtail teachers are the heart of the school community, serving on the Board of Trustees, the Family Association, and taking lead roles in planning the school’s annual festivals. They are a source of information and support for families and each other.
Teachers who are hired for lead positions at Swallowtail will have classroom experience, a love and enthusiasm for teaching, and a dedication to Waldorf education. They must either have completed Waldorf training or be currently enrolled in a training program with other teaching certifications and experience.