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.
Grade School Lead Teacher 26-27 School Year
Prairie Moon Waldorf School is looking for a Grade Lead Teacher for a combined class for the school year 2026-2027, who will continue on through to 8th grade.
Prairie Moon Waldorf School is committed to a combined classroom model. We are searching for an experienced teacher who delights in nurturing the sense of wonder and curiosity in young children, works in harmony with families, and is eager to be an integral part of our supportive and collaborative team. The ideal candidate will bring prior experience in Waldorf grades teaching, a bachelor’s or master’s degree, and Waldorf teacher training. This individual will embody a dynamic approach to Waldorf pedagogy, bringing the curriculum to life with creativity and enthusiasm, and fostering meaningful connections with students, parents, and colleagues.
If you are passionate about cultivating strong relationships, guiding children with loving authority, and weaving the values of Waldorf education into every aspect of the classroom, we invite you to join our community. Together, let us kindle the light of learning in our students while embracing the beauty of Kansas plains culture and the shared work of creating a thriving school environment.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Use Waldorf teaching methods and pedagogy; create age appropriate lessons for fourth and fifth grade, applying our technology-free approach and make lessons accessible and enjoyable for this 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 in-service 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 PD Funds).
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 on the PMWS campus.
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:
Professional Employer Organization (PEO) access to dental, vision, (3) Health plan choices - utilizing Aetna's network, Life insurance, Disability - long & short-term, Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital indemnity; 401k retirement plan for all full time employees
Tuition Remission - up to 80% for full time employees
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: June 1, 2026
How to apply:
Please prepare to demonstrate teaching ability: This is a three day process that include the first two days observing the class and then third day will be teaching a lesson and interviewing at the faculty meeting that day. Please plan a sample Waldorf 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.
Grades Specialty Teacher for Strings/Orchestra
Prairie Moon Waldorf School – an AWSNA and WECAN Associate Member school – in Lawrence, Kansas seeks a part-time Strings/Orchestra Teacher for six 45-minute classes per week for three grades classes beginning the fall semester of 2026-27 academic year. Our grades classes are combined as follows: 2nd/3rd, 4th/5th, & 6th/7th grade.
Qualifications
Ideal candidates will have a passion for Waldorf education, experience in orchestra and strings instruments, and experience teaching either an orchestra class, a Waldorf specialty class, or both.
We are looking for someone with a music degree and teaching experience in the classroom setting. The candidate’s teaching repertoire should include classical and traditional folk or world music styles as well as notation for 3rd grade and older. Ideal candidates will be familiar with or open to learning child development as seen through the anthroposophical lens and the Waldorf education pedagogy.
We appreciate candidates who have a serious interest in Waldorf education and, if untrained, have a willingness to participate in Waldorf music workshops and have a Waldorf trained mentor. PMWS provides funds for both training and mentoring.
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.
The position is paid competitively per class period.
SCHEDULE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Approximately 6 hours per week for classes (150-200 hours per academic year)
Scheduled after the main lesson M-F, between 11am - 3pm. Each hour consists of forty-five minutes of contact with students and includes planning time.
3rd grade (2 hrs per week )
4th-5th grade (2 hrs per week)
6th-7th grade Class (2 hrs per week)
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Lead a classroom according to Waldorf early childhood principles.
Positive and effective communication skills.
Ability to work supportively and in collaboration with colleagues.
EMPLOYMENT DETAILS
$20-25/hr
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: June 1, 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.
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.