Employment Opportunities at Sunbridge
Sunbridge Institute is seeking a new director for its Waldorf Elementary Teacher Education program (WETE).
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
The WETE program director (PD) plays a leadership role and actively participates in the development, planning, execution, and quality of the Elementary course of study at Sunbridge. The PD is responsive to and actively participates in the activity of the program to serve and inspire the work of the program and ensures that there are ongoing conversations and opportunities for peer-to-peer support in deepening our capacities as adult educators. The PD collaborates closely with the director of education and organizational culture (DEOC) and the executive director (ED), as well as with all Sunbridge staff. It is expected that they collectively cultivate and stay connected with the overall impulse and mission of Sunbridge.
The PD supervises all WETE program faculty and reports to the executive director.
TASKS AND DUTIES
Student Advising and CommunicationÂ
The PD will:
- Serve as the main advisor for WETE studentsÂ
- Maintain overview of student progress and experience in the program
- Communicate program requirements (assignments, etc.) to students
- Be available to students between sessions – potentially holding regularly scheduled sessions on focused topics
- Communicate between intensives regarding fieldwork requirements
- Plan, hold, and oversee commencement activities
- Give references to schools for current students and graduates
Program Development
The PD holds an overview of the needs and developments in Waldorf education specific to their program; leads generative conversations on further developing the courses, classes, workshops, and other offerings relative to their program; and implements culturally responsive and relevant best practices.
Mentors and Fieldwork
In collaboration with the DEOC, the PD arranges for students’ fieldwork and maintains and keeps current records as the requirements are fulfilled.
Faculty
The PD holds regular faculty meetings, and onboards and observes new faculty.
Assessment of Faculty, Courses, and ProgramÂ
The PD regularly reviews student feedback and leads faculty reviews, incorporating both peer and student feedback.
AdministrationÂ
The PD will:
- Identify, recruit, and engage faculty
- Participate in the admissions processÂ
- Ensure timely submission of attendance forms and online assessments for each course by all faculty Â
- Oversee, approve, and coordinate with the registrar transcript recordkeeping: i.e. Transfer Credit, Incompletes, Directed Study, Independent Study, Leaves of Absence, Withdrawal and Hold on Diploma forms, agreements and contractsÂ
- Audit transcripts on a regular basisÂ
- Collaborate on complying with Waldorf association and other official licensing and regulatory mandatesÂ
- Keep regular office hours throughout the year, both in person and remotely
Finance
The PD oversees and submits adjunct faculty and mentor payment and travel reimbursements and works within the board-approved annual budget parameters.
Leadership
The PD attends and represents Sunbridge at regional, national, and international meetings and conferences, and, in collaboration with the DEOC and ED, develops short professional development workshops for teachers.Â
Outreach
The PD actively participates in outreach efforts, including Info Sessions/Meet & Greets, as well as collaborates on promotional copy.
QUALITIES and COMPETENCIESÂ
Sunbridge works in a highly collaborative manner with all faculty, staff, and board, which is paramount to our success. This requires qualities of openness and appropriate transparency. Sunbridge works with mandated responsibilities, assuring clarity of authority and accountability.Â
The ideal program director will have extensive experience as a successful Waldorf educator. This person will be held in esteem by their colleagues and will have played a leadership role in their programs or school(s). Â
They will have experience in adult education or teaching professional development courses; be recognized as an excellent adult educator; and be involved in the larger North American and, ideally, international Waldorf movement.Â
The PD will have considerable experience in leading collaborative decision-making processes through to their effective implementation.Â
We are interested in candidates who have a deep understanding and interest in balancing the roots of Waldorf education as it was initially developed in the early twentieth century in Germany with how that pedagogy can be further developed to serve children in North America in the early twenty-first century (and beyond). The themes of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice are vital – integral – to the work we do at Sunbridge institutionally and, specifically, in all our programming.
The PD will have familiarity and ease in using databases and online learning management platforms and have some experience with and interest in the use of virtual teaching methods.
The PD will have excellent organization, communication, and timely follow-through capacities and skills.
This person will have at least a bachelor’s degree and preferably a graduate degree.
HOURS
+/-40 hours/week when classes are on campus/in session; otherwise, approximately 10 hours/week year-round (excepting breaks)
SALARY
$23,000-$26,000, depending on experience and qualifications
BENEFITS
This position carries no benefits
START DATE
Immediately
TO APPLY
Send your cover letter and a résumé with three professional references (including phone numbers and email addresses) to
[email protected] by April 15. No phone calls, please.
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In all of its dealings, including its admissions, educational, and employment practices, it is the policy of Sunbridge Institute, its Trustees, officers, employees and other duly authorized agents not to discriminate against any individual or group for reasons of race, color, creed, gender, age, culture, ethnicity, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation or identification, or mental or physical disability.
At Sunbridge Institute we are committed to serving and being a diverse, inclusive community. We are striving collectively to ensure the continued growth and development of our curriculum and program offerings to reflect these values. As we deepen our own relationship to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, we ask for your honest feedback and perspective, understanding that we wish to widen our lens and that this work is, and will always be, in process.