Head of School
The Waldorf School of Philadelphia is seeking an inclusive leader who fully embraces its mission and philosophy to become our new Head of School.
About the School
The Waldorf School of Philadelphia traces its roots to the early 1990s, when a group of parents began to discuss bringing a Waldorf-inspired community center or daycare to Philadelphia. Over the early years of that decade the concept developed and evolved, and in 1995 the Philadelphia Waldorf Initiative was incorporated in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. A little over 25 years later, WSP is a modern, organic learning environment in the heart of Germantown, based on Rudolf Steiner’s philosophy of education. The school’s mission is to create a vibrant learning community based on a deep understanding of the child, integrating the intellectual with the artistic and the practical with the beautiful. WSP provides a decidedly independent form of education that creates decidedly independent thinkers. Learning that inspires. Learning that endures. And learning that children will treasure forever.
There has never been a more exciting time to join the Philly Waldorf community. The school is a diverse, energetic, and urban school with a strong commitment to a deep understanding of each student’s needs. Love, reverence, and respect for childhood are reflected in the collegial community of teachers, a diverse mix of seasoned professionals and those who are relatively new to teaching in a Waldorf setting. A magnet for creative, community-minded people, the school seeks to foster and support thoughtful, socially conscious, and engaged citizens. In this regard, the community at Philly Waldorf is exceptionally active, engaged, and thriving.
Philly Waldorf’s strong commitment to increasing and supporting diversity in employment and programs is expressed in its desire to hire candidates underrepresented in Waldorf Education.
Having celebrated its 25th year in 2020, the Waldorf School of Philadelphia teaches students from ages 2 years through eighth grade. In July 2015 the school moved to a permanent new home, 6000 Wayne Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19144.
Total enrollment is approximately 250 students, comprising early childhood programs and 1st-8th grade. The Waldorf School of Philadelphia has 28 faculty members and 9 administrative staff members.
Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Racism is deep and widespread in society. It dehumanizes and divides people in ways that hurt us all. Mirroring much of the dialogue and action witnessed across our nation, Waldorf schools are undergoing an intense and overdue period of reckoning. A moment of reckoning that calls on us to:
Confront the specter of White Supremacy now exposed more regularly in a wide array of social life.
Critically question the subtleties, silences, and absences in policies, structures, and practices that traditionally shape the dynamics that shape our communities.
Reevaluate the pedagogical legacy of Waldorf education and Rudolf Steiner in a way that meets and reflects all families.
The Head of School Opportunity
Waldorf School of Philadelphia seeks a warm, collaborative, and strategic educational leader with a passion for education and putting students and their needs first to serve as Head of School beginning July 1, 2023. Appointed by the Board of Trustees to implement the school’s strategic plan in accordance with its mission and philosophy, the Head of School provides management and oversight of the school’s operations and staff. This person ensures the school’s mission is achieved and that the school is financially and operationally sustainable. The Head of School collaborates with pedagogical leadership in the development of school programs and pedagogical policies and is an active member of the school community, the surrounding neighborhood, and both the larger Waldorf and local independent school movements. Educators Collaborative, LLC is assisting with the search. Please click here for a full position description including information on how to apply.
How to apply
Candidates interested in the position should submit the following materials as soon as possible.
EC Candidate Summary Sheet (contact Nat Conard for this document)
Cover letter addressed to the Search Committee
Resume
Statement of educational leadership philosophy
A list of five or more references with contact information (including phone numbers and email addresses)
Up to three letters of reference (optional)
Please address any inquiries or expressions of interest to: Nat Conard, Partner, Educators Collaborative, LLC, nconard@educatorscollaborative.com
Educators Collaborative https://www.educatorscollaborative.com/
Position description https://www.educatorscollaborative.com/clients/active-search-waldorf-school-of-philadelphia/
About Waldorf Education
Waldorf schools offer a developmentally appropriate, experiential, and academically rigorous approach to education. They integrate the arts in all academic disciplines. Waldorf education aims to inspire life-long learning in all students and to enable them to fully develop their unique capacities.
Founded in the early 20th century, Waldorf education is based on the insights, teachings and principles of education outlined by Rudolf Steiner. The principles of Waldorf education evolve from an understanding of human development that address the needs of the growing child.
Teachers in Waldorf schools are dedicated to generating an inner enthusiasm for learning within every child. This eliminates the need for competitive testing, academic placement, and rewards to motivate learning and allows motivation to arise from within. It helps engender the capacity for joyful life-long learning.
Head of School Search Committee
Alex Borders, Interim Head of School
Toni Chapman, Former Board Trustee
Zdenka Gottwaldova, Faculty
Brendon Jobs, VP, Board of Trustees
Theresa Kaskey, President, Board of Trustees
Joe Mair, Treasurer, Board of Trustees
Leah Milito, Board Trustee
Irene Richardson, Faculty
FAQs
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As primary stewards of the school’s mission and its fiscal health, the Board of Trustees has charged the Search Committee to lead a comprehensive search for exceptional candidates. The Search Committee will ultimately recommend the finalists to the full Board. The Board will meet the final candidate and vote to approve the next Head of School.
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UPDATE THIS ANSWER The Board of Trustees has selected a Search Committee to oversee the process of finding a new Head of School. The Board of Trustees and Search Committee expect to select a recruitment firm to assist in all aspects of the search. Search Committee members have leadership experience including HR expertise and Head of School search expertise.
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The Search Committee has been actively seeking feedback from all constituencies. Each member of our community is encouraged to share thoughts with members of the Search Committee or with the Board at board@phillywaldorf.com We continue to collect feedback from community members as the search progresses.
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The Search Committee is committed to an inclusive and transparent search process and will provide frequent updates via email to the immediate school community. Archived updates will be posted on this page.