Grades substitute teacher

Starting now, August 2024, we are looking for a trained and experienced long term substitute teacher to join our small but growing team on our beautiful 70 hectares campus on the Nicoya Peninsula. This teacher will work collaboratively with the other grades teachers while also having individual freedom within their classroom when possible. 

About the school 

The Gaia School Costa Rica is a newly founded school set in the middle of an ecologically beautiful environment at the tip of the Nicoya Península, Puntarenas. 

It was established by a group of parents, founders and current members of the Board of Directors out of the desire to contribute, and bring positive change, to the communities of Manzanillo and surrounding areas, through the provision of a Waldorf Education. 

In January 2023, we opened the doors to our small Waldorf school in the jungle of Costa Rica. We are currently serving a student body from pre-k to 5th grade on our beautiful 70 hectares campus on the Nicoya Peninsula. We will add a grade each year with the intention to grow into programming that includes pre-k through high school.

Mission Statement

The Gaia School of Costa Rica is a community of people committed to fostering a joy of learning and a deep connection to Mother Nature. We offer a rigorous educational approach in which the unfolding of each student's unique gifts is recognized and developed through a holistic and developmentally appropriate curriculum. Our graduates are inspired and empowered to pursue their passions and gain the skills needed to have a positive impact on the world.

About the role of the Teachers at Gaia School

For September 2024, we are looking for Waldorf trained and experienced grade teachers to join our small but growing team on our beautiful 70 hectares campus on the Nicoya Peninsula. These teachers will work collaboratively with the other grades teachers while also having individual freedom within their classroom. 

A Long-Term substitute teacher responsibilities include:

- Developing age-appropriate curriculum for both the indoors and outdoors 

-Deliver developmentally appropriate instruction rich with music, movement, and art as well as skill development in academic areas

- A commitment to each child’s growth through inner work and the practical art of teaching

- Parent education and meetings

- Faculty meetings and school committees involvement 

-Participation in workshops, training, in-services, class assistance

-Substitute classes when teachers call in sick, have emergencies or situations. 

-This position may transition to a Grades teacher position between January-June 2025

The type of teacher we are looking for:

- Extremely flexible. The need for flexibility cannot be overstated. ​We are an evolving, developing program that relies on change and adaptation. 

- Self-starter and very resourceful. Opening a school in a remote location requires that teachers find creative solutions to problems as they arise rather than waiting for a solution to be provided.

- A sense of adventure. We are located in a remote and beautiful location, which requires an ability to adapt to environmental circumstances such as occasional power outages, poor road conditions, sharing a home with the creatures of the jungle, etc. 

- Strong cultural competency and confidence working with diverse family backgrounds 

- Inspired to be part of a groundbreaking and developing school in a remote and rural environment. We are still very much in the creation phase and are looking for teachers who take initiative to help build on the foundation of the school.

- Previous experience in a Waldorf grades teaching environment, either as a lead or long-time assistant is a plus. 

- Ability and desire to collaborate with other teachers.

- Bilingual (Spanish-English) is a MUST . The minimum level of English accepted will be B2. Please do not apply if you do not have this level or higher. 

Please send a letter of interest and resume to Ver el correo electrónico en jobs.waldorftoday.com . Upon receipt of your application, we may schedule a phone call with a member of our Hiring Committee. 

We look forward to hearing from all interested teachers.