Work With Us
The Detroit Waldorf School is a growing and thriving multicultural educational community, celebrating its 59th year in the heart of Detroit. We have the honor of being one of the ten oldest Waldorf schools in the United States.
Our school, founded in 1965, is located just three miles east of downtown Detroit in the historic Indian Village neighborhood.
The building was designed by renowned architect Albert Kahn in the 1920s and is situated on a beautifully landscaped, 4-acre campus.
Employment Opportunities
In-House Substitute Teacher (Immediate Opening)
DWS is currently accepting applications for an In-House Substitute Teacher position. This role requires flexibility to work with students in grades PreK through 8, covering for lead teachers across a variety of subjects. Prior teaching or substitute teaching experience is preferred, and applicants must be available from 8:00 am-3:30 pm Monday through Friday. Pay begins at $16.50/hr.
The In-House Substitute Teacher provides consistent, nurturing support to students when lead teachers are absent, helping to maintain a calm, respectful, and engaging classroom environment. This position is vital for ensuring that students continue to experience a rich learning environment through Waldorf educational values, encouraging hands-on exploration, creativity, and meaningful connections.
In collaboration with the school’s faculty and administrative staff, the In-House Substitute Teacher will carry out lesson plans, foster student participation, and maintain routines for transitions, play, and learning activities. They guide students in a positive and respectful manner, supporting their intellectual, emotional, and social growth. This role is a unique opportunity to work across various grades and subjects within a vibrant Waldorf school community.
Interested candidates should submit a completed application and resume via email to hr@detroitwaldorf.org and attend a Taste of Waldorf Tour to be considered for this position.
Part-Time Parent-Child Class Assistant (Immediate Opening)
DWS is currently accepting applications for a Parent-Child Class Assistant. This is a part-time position 8:30 am - 12:15 pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays for the following Parent-Child class session dates:
Tuesdays January 7 - February 11, 2025, (6 weeks)
Thursdays January 9 - February 13, 2025 (6 weeks)
Tuesdays March 4 - April 6, 2025 (6 weeks)
Thursdays March 6 - April 10, 2025 (6 weeks)
Tuesdays April 29 - May 27, 2025 (5 wks),
Thursdays May 1 - May 29, 2025 (5 wks)
Experience in childcare working with children ages 2-3 years is required.
Pay begins at $16.50/hr.
The Classroom Assistant works in collaboration with the Parent-Child Class Teacher to cultivate a warm classroom atmosphere that permeates each family's day with creative and meaningful experiences. They assist with set-up and clean-up, snack and craft preparation, and provide childcare for weeks 3-6 of each session while caregivers attend class with the Parent-Child Teacher.
A calm and loving manner are necessary qualities to guide the children along with a deep respect and understanding of children’s social, emotional, physical and intellectual development.
Interested candidates submit a completed application and resume via email to hr@detroitwaldorf.org and attend a Taste of Waldorf Tour to be considered for these positions.
First Grade Class Teacher (2025-2026)
Start Date: July 2025
Salary: $45,000 - $60,000 (based on years of experience)
Position Overview:
Detroit Waldorf School is seeking a passionate and dedicated Waldorf Class Teacher for our first-grade classroom in the 2025-2026 school year, with the potential to teach grades 1-8. The ideal candidate will have a Waldorf teaching certification, a deep understanding of Waldorf educational principles, and a commitment to fostering a nurturing and inspiring learning environment.
Key Responsibilities:
Create and implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum that meets the needs of first-grade students and aligns with Waldorf educational philosophy.
Cultivate a classroom environment that encourages creativity, critical thinking, and social-emotional growth.
Foster strong relationships with students, parents, and the broader school community to promote collaboration and engagement.
Utilize hands-on, experiential learning techniques to teach core subjects such as literacy, mathematics, arts, and sciences.
Conduct ongoing assessment of student progress and adapt teaching strategies accordingly.
Participate in faculty meetings, professional development, and community events to contribute to the school’s mission and vision.
Collaborate with colleagues to enhance curriculum and develop interdisciplinary projects.
Qualifications:
Waldorf teaching certification (or in progress).
Bachelor's degree in Education or related field; Master's degree preferred.
Experience teaching at the elementary level, preferably within a Waldorf setting.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Commitment to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable learning environment.
Interested candidates submit a completed application and resume via email to hr@detroitwaldorf.org and attend a Taste of Waldorf Tour to be considered for this position.
Substitute Teachers (Hiring Currently)
DWS is currently accepting applications for substitutes in our Early Childhood and Grades programs. Experience in childcare or working with children ages 3 - 6 years is preferred for Early Childhood applicants and experience with children ranging in age from 6 to 15 years old is preferred for the Grades program. Applicants must be available from 8:00 am-3:30 pm and pay begins at $16.50/hr.
Interested candidates submit a completed application and resume via email to hr@detroitwaldorf.org and attend a Taste of Waldorf Tour to be considered for these positions.
Early Childhood Assistant Teachers - Immediate Afternoon Opening
DWS is currently accepting applications for Early Childhood Assistant teaching positions. Experience in childcare or working with children ages 3 - 6 years is preferred for applicants and applicants must be available from 11:00 am-5:30 pm and pay begins at $16.50/hr.
Early Childhood Assistants work in collaboration with the Class Teacher to cultivate a warm classroom atmosphere that permeates each child's day with creative and meaningful experiences, allowing them to be deeply immersed in play, develop their social awareness, nourish their sense of wonder, a deep trust in themselves, a feeling of care for others, a connection to nature and a love of learning.
Assistants collaborate with and support the Class Teacher in guiding individual children toward harmony within the class, during transitions, circle time, snack, story time, free play, artistic activities and crafts, rest time and outdoor activities. They strive to accomplish tasks in a calm, orderly, purposeful, and loving manner. They guide children calmly and creatively toward appropriate behavior through a positive, self-aware approach to discipline and consistent limits and a deep respect and understanding of children’s social, emotional, physical and intellectual development.
Interested candidates submit a completed application and resume via email to hr@detroitwaldorf.org and attend a Taste of Waldorf Tour to be considered for these positions.
Equal Opportunity Statement
DWS is committed to the principles of equal employment. We are committed to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities, and all other employment laws and regulations. It is our intent to maintain a work environment that is free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation based on the following protected classes: age, height, weight, marital status, race (including traits historically associated with race, which include, but are not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, termination of a pregnancy, or a related medical condition), sexual orientation (including transgender status, gender identity or expression), physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), veteran status, uniformed service member status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws. DWS is dedicated to the fulfillment of this policy in regard to all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay, and other compensation, termination, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.