Opportunities for Employment
At Prairie Moon, our faculty and staff are passionate, dedicated, and fun.
There is sincere companionship and ongoing professional development.
Interested in joining our team? All positions are open and applications are welcome until candidates are hired.
Information to apply online or through mail is below.
About Our Campus - Lawrence, KS
Prairie Moon Waldorf School is Kansas’ only Waldorf school and sits on a beautiful 7.5 acres of prairie land in the Kaw River Valley, only minutes from downtown Lawrence. Our school is housed in the Grant Township School building, formed in 1961, located on the Northside of town close to the Lawrence Airport. PMWS is approaching the twentieth year within this schoolhouse, when our doors opened in August of 2005. New faculty and staff join a small, but growing Anthroposophical community and will have the opportunity to be a pioneer of Waldorf education in the Heartland.
Lawrence is an ideal home to a Waldorf school. Home to the University of Kansas, Haskell Indian Nations University and being near cosmopolitan Kansas City, Lawrence provides a rich, international and multicultural life to its residents and visitors with the added benefit of a low cost of living. It has been said that Lawrence is America’s largest city without a shopping mall—a statement that reflects a strong commitment to local businesses and pride in the community’s historic downtown. Several years ago, author John Villani identified Lawrence as among the top fifteen best art towns under a population of 100,000, and Lawrence has long been a music center. Several years ago, Lawrence was also identified as one of the top 10 locations to retire. KU’s School of Education is renowned, with its program in Special Education consistently being ranked first in the nation. Lawrence, Kansas is a wonderful, growing Waldorf community.
Early Childhood Lead Waldorf Teacher
Prairie Moon Waldorf School – an AWSNA and WECAN Associate Member school – in Lawrence, Kansas seeks a Waldorf early childhood teacher. Prairie Moon Waldorf School opened in 2005 and supports a strong, vibrant family community. The early childhood program currently consists of two mixed-age kindergarten classrooms for children ages 3–6 years.
Qualifications
Ideal candidates will have a passion for Waldorf education, a Waldorf Early Childhood Training Certificate, and experience teaching in a Waldorf early childhood classroom. Candidates holding a bachelor’s degree who have a serious interest in Waldorf education and, if untrained, a willingness to begin their Waldorf early-childhood teacher training will be considered. We seek a teacher who works well with others, as well as independently, and who possesses a pioneering spirit and enthusiasm for bringing Waldorf education to the heart of America.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Using Waldorf teaching methods and pedagogy, plan, lead, and hold the rhythm of an Early Childhood classroom in partnership with the other Early Childhood Lead teacher.
Each class will have 10-17 children and increase or decrease based on the enrollment decisions of the attending families
Must be Waldorf centered, as Waldorf classrooms all over the world follow the same rhythm, with variation coming from the teacher’s own creativity, abilities, talents, and self-awareness
Schedule a home visit with each family within the first semester of enrollment.
Host parent teacher conferences once a semester (dates and times are flexible, in collaboration between the teacher and the attending families).
Conduct First Grade Assessments alongside colleagues.
Attend seasonal festivals, student concerts, and other school events throughout the year.
Participate in at least one committee of choice throughout the school year. Meetings are usually held once a month. Finance, Professional Development, Fundraising, Facilities & Maintenance, Outreach, Parent Association, and Policy & Planning.
Participate in the planning of 1-2 festivals or events per year. As the festivals are cyclical, the setup is streamlined and usually requires 1-2 people who take the lead on assigned tasks. Each teacher can sign up for the events of their choosing, in collaboration with other teachers, at teacher in-service.
Attend teacher inservice sessions, lasting 1-3 days, 2-3 times per year.
Work in collaboration with other teachers to create the daily school schedule during in-service days. Follow that schedule, holding space for students to adjust to a set rhythm of the year.
Work within the budget allocated for the program, planning snack and meal purchases within this
Attend weekly faculty meetings on Wednesdays, participating in child study, book study, and self study as well as co-lead the EC departmental meeting throughout the weeks.
Must have a mentor and communicate with the mentor throughout the year.
Must have at least ten hours of continuing education a year. May do additional training in the summer (expected to use PDFunds.)
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Lead a classroom according to Waldorf early childhood principles.
Encourage the development and understanding of the value of Waldorf education among
early childhood families.Ability to promote the school and its mission effectively.
Ability to direct and support a classroom assistant.
Understanding of child abuse reporting laws.
KDHE certification training from KCCTO, Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification.
Positive and effective communication skills.
Work well with the parents, provide parent education on Waldorf education and create a
healthy class community.Ability to work supportively and in collaboration with colleagues.
What to Expect Here at PMWS
Firstly, expect to find a supportive, educated community that genuinely loves their Waldorf school. Secondly, tuition remission is offered for children of PMWS teachers.
Thirdly, expect a salary that is commensurate with experience and training and includes a benefits package that offers: dental, vision, and (3) Health plan choices - utilizing Aetna's network; Life insurance, Disability - long & short-term, Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital indemnity; and, a 401k retirement plan.
Finally, expect to be required to pass a KBI background check, meaning that the candidate has not been convicted of a felony or of any crime against persons, as well as have a current health assessment that includes a TB test.
Our Anthroposophical Roots
Waldorf education is the principal expression of Anthroposophical thinking in this area; however there is also significant interest in Biodynamic agriculture and Anthroposophic architecture. Anthroposophical and Waldorf education study groups are active and a lecture series addresses the community’s strong interest in the roots of Waldorf education and related subjects.
Items Needed to Apply
Cover Letter & Resume
Short Biography - includes a description of your relationship to Anthroposophy & Waldorf Education
Three References
Email or Mail to: Prairie Moon Waldorf School, Attn: Early Childhood Search Committee 1853 E. 1600 Road Lawrence, KS 66044 / info@prairiemoon.org
DEADLINE for application: October 17, 2025
Prairie Moon Waldorf School does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, sexual orientation, religion, or ethnic background in the admission of students or the hiring of personnel.
First Grade Waldorf Teacher 26-27 School Year
Prairie Moon Waldorf School is looking for a 1st Grade Waldorf Teacher for the school year 2026-2027, who will then teach grades 1-8 over the next 8 years. Prairie Moon Waldorf School is committed to a combined classroom model (a stand-alone first is followed by a combined first/second and the students remain so combined over the next seven years).
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Use Waldorf teaching methods and pedagogy; create age appropriate lessons for first grade, applying our technology-free approach and make lessons accessible and enjoyable for the first grade class.
Schedule and attend home visits in August before the beginning of each school year
Host one Parent Association evening per year lecturing on a Waldorf or Steiner subject to educate parents and attending PMWS community.
Work in collaboration with other teachers to create the daily school schedule during in-service days (see in-service days below). Follow that schedule, holding space for students to adjust to a set rhythm of the year.
Attend open houses, student concerts, and seasonal festivals throughout the school year.
Participate in at least one committee of choice throughout the school year. Meetings are usually held once a month. Committees include Finance, Professional Development, Fundraising, Facilities & Maintenance, Outreach, Parent Association, and Policy & Planning.
Participate in the planning of 1-2 festivals or events per year. As the festivals are cyclical, the setup is streamlined and usually requires 1-2 people who take the lead on assigned tasks. Each teacher can sign up for the events of their choosing, in collaboration with other teachers, at teacher in-service.
Attend teacher inservice sessions, lasting 1-3 days, 2-3 times per year.
Attend weekly Faculty meetings and participate in faculty-led book study; create the calendar for the school year in collaboration with other faculty and administration, as well as a weekly dept meeting with fellow grades teachers.
Must have a mentor and communicate with the mentor throughout the year.
Must have at least ten hours of continuing education a year. May do additional training in the summer (expected to use PDFunds).
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Required:
Ideal candidates will have Waldorf teacher training, experience teaching in a Waldorf Grades Program, and have a strong passion for Waldorf education.
Candidates who have a serious interest in Waldorf education, are experienced educators, and have a willingness to attend teacher training will be considered.
We seek a teacher who works well with others, as well as independently, and who possesses a pioneering spirit and enthusiasm for building Waldorf education.
Our candidates will also have a bachelor’s degree at minimum—master’s degree preferred.
The applicant that is hired must be able to pass a KBI check, meaning that the candidate has not been convicted of a felony or of any crime against persons.
Priority will be given to candidates who wish to commit to an eight-year cycle.
Preferred:
Waldorf education is the principal expression of Anthroposophical thinking in this area; however there is also significant interest in Biodynamic agriculture and Anthroposophic architecture. Thus candidates with interest in these areas are very welcome.
Prairie Moon is an AWSNA and WECAN developing member school. We were founded in 2001 and support a strong, vibrant family community of over 75 PreK-8th grade students. We are in the midst of investing in and enriching our pedagogical offerings in order to solidify our foundation for a healthy path into the future. Prairie Moon Waldorf School is Kansas’ only Waldorf school and sits on a beautiful 7.5 acres of prairie land in the Kaw River Valley only minutes from downtown Lawrence. Our school’s first grade teacher will come to a growing Anthroposophical community and will have the opportunity to be a forerunner of Waldorf education in the Heartland. Anthroposophical and Waldorf education study groups are active, and a lecture series addresses the community’s strong interest in the roots of Waldorf education and related subjects.
In this position, you can expect to find a supportive, educated community that genuinely loves their Waldorf school. Our location can bring you to a range of housing, options for shopping, including a well-established natural foods cooperative store, a thriving farmer’s market, many locally owned businesses and restaurants, and a responsive city government. The salary for this position will be commensurate with experience and Waldorf teacher training.
Additional Benefits:
Benefits package that includes dental, vision, (3) Health plan choices - utilizing Aetna's network Life insurance, Disability - long & short-term, Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital indemnity; 401k retirement plan
Tuition Remission
Funds and support for both in-house and external mentorship
Financial support for Waldorf Teacher Training and approved professional development workshops, classes and materials.
DEADLINE for application: March 1, 2026
How to apply:
Please prepare to demonstrate teaching ability: plan a sample lesson.
Contact Gwyn Schmidtberger, Prairie Moon Waldorf School Administrative Director, to schedule a school visit. 785-841-8800
Other Requirements: Pass a KBI check, meaning that the candidate has not been convicted of a felony or of any crime against persons, as well as have a current health assessment that includes a TB test.
After fulfilling the above, please submit a brief personal biography, work resume, list of 3 professional references, and application for employment to info@prairiemoon.org or mail to:
Prairie Moon Waldorf School
Attn: Teacher Search Committee
1853 E 1600 Rd
Lawrence, KS 66044
Applications can also be submitted via the form at the bottom of this page: https://www.prairiemoon.org/employment
Prairie Moon Waldorf School does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, sexual orientation, religion, or ethnic background in the admission of students or the hiring of personnel.
Applying Through Mail?
Please send application & necessary documents to:
Prairie Moon Waldorf School, Attn: Teacher Search Committee
1853 E. 1600 Road Lawrence, KS 66044
Or email to info@prairiemoon.org
Contact the school at 785-841-8800 with questions.
Necessary documents for all applicants:
Apply Online!
After providing us with your contact info, you will be redirected to an upload space to submit the required documentation.
TESTIMONIAL
“My heart has been at this school from the first mention of the name. As parent, former Early Childhood teacher, and community member, Prairie Moon holds a radiant space for learning. The children who have the opportunity to explore for themselves, how to be in the world through their Hands, Hearts and Heads, have a unique perspective of the world well into adulthood.”
-Ms Gwyn Marie of the Early Childhood
About Lawrence, Kansas
Lawrence is an ideal home to a Waldorf school. Home to the University of Kansas, Haskell Indian Nations University and being near cosmopolitan Kansas City, Lawrence provides a rich, international and multi-cultural life to its residents and visitors with the added benefit of a low cost of living. It has been said that Lawrence is America’s largest city without a shopping mall—a statement that reflects a strong commitment to local businesses and pride in the community’s historic downtown. Several years ago author John Villani identified Lawrence as among the top fifteen best art towns under a population of 100,000, and Lawrence has long been a music center. Several years ago, Lawrence was also identified as one of the top 10 locations to retire. Kansas University has created new centers for biological research, medicine, engineering and technology. The university’s school of education is renowned, with its program in Special Education consistently being ranked first in the nation. Lawrence, Kansas is a growing Waldorf community. Prairie Moon Waldorf School is Kansas’ only Waldorf school and sits on a beautiful 7.5 acres of prairie land in the Kaw River Valley only minutes from downtown Lawrence. New faculty and staff will come to a small, but growing Anthroposophical community and will have the opportunity to be a pioneer of Waldorf education in the Heartland.
Prairie Moon Waldorf School is non-sectarian and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin in its educational, administrative, admission, athletic, and school programs and policies.