EMPLOYMENT AT SPRING RIVER: Join the Homeschool Revolution
Working at Spring River
Spring River School offers educators and staff the opportunity to engage in Waldorf-inspired education grounded in living anthroposophy—not as abstract theory, but as a lived, reflective practice expressed through rhythm, relationship, and reverence for the developing human being. Our work is rooted in a direct relationship with nature and in an authentic partnership with homeschooling families, guided by seasonal rhythms, experiential learning, and a developmentally attuned curriculum that nurtures both child development and educator creativity.
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​After several years of operating indoors in churches and community centers, we have fully transitioned to outdoor learning environments in local parks throughout the Beaches area. While learning takes place primarily outdoors, each of our programs is supported by a beautiful, well-resourced inclement weather space, ensuring continuity, comfort, and a stable teaching rhythm for educators and students alike.
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Faculty and staff are part of a collegial professional community that values autonomy, reflective practice, and shared responsibility. Educators are supported through collaboration, mentoring, and a governance structure that honors pedagogical insight while providing clear administrative alignment and operational support. For those seeking meaningful work outside conventional school systems—yet within a thoughtful, coherent, and mission-driven educational framework—Spring River School offers a place to bring one’s craft, deepen professional practice, and contribute to a vibrant learning community committed to human development and social responsibility.
Open Positions for Continuous Hire
​​Substitute Teachers
Status: As needed/Part Time/Non-Exempt
Pay Scale: $18.00-$22.50/hr
Reports to: Pedagogical Operations Coordinator
Position Summary: The Spring River Substitute Teacher teaches and supervises students in the event that their regular teacher is unable to lead the class. In order to create an encouraging learning environment while the regular teacher is absent, the Substitute Teacher will need to effectively manage and instruct the class from setting up the classroom and taking attendance through to breaking down the classroom after the school day is over.
Skills: Being a Substitute Teacher requires patience, creativity, and a commitment to teamwork with the Teaching Assistant and the Operations Coordinator. Substitute Teachers should understand how to communicate with children and be willing to efficiently address behavioral problems. Substitute Teachers must be able to maintain confidentiality and professionalism with the parent/teacher bond, be able to work in a team setting with colleagues, follow school guidelines and policies, and have excellent communication skills.
Other responsibilities
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Set up and clean up the outdoor classroom.
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Must be fully present and aware of children and surroundings at all times.
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Follow "sub" lesson plans provided by the class teacher/administration.
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Be on-site and participate in arrival and dismissal procedures.
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Visually check the daily location of the school for trash and safety hazards. Assist in cleaning up and/or relocating as needed.
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Carry a cell phone at all times.
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Abide by the school safety plan and address any questions or concerns with the administrative team.
Required Qualifications
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A deep love for children, respect for parents, enjoyment of working in collaboration with colleagues, joy, and enthusiasm in your work.
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Good written and interpersonal communication skills
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Ability to work effectively with a diverse range of people
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Bachelor’s Degree
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2 years of Classroom Experience
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Must be comfortable spending 100% time outdoors in all weather.
Preferred Qualifications​
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Waldorf Teaching Certification or experience
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5+ years teaching experience
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Please send a letter of interest and resume to: employment@springriverschool.org
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K-8 Teaching Assistants
Status: Part-Time/Hourly
Days of Work: M-Th (8:30 am -3:15 pm)
Pay Scale: $18/hr
Reports to: Class Teacher & Pedagogical Operations Coordinator
Benefits: 15% tuition remission
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The Spring River teaching assistant (TA) works under the direction of the Class Teacher in the designated local park (outdoor classroom), including setup and clean up.
The TA supports the Class Teacher by exemplifying patience, kindness, and openness in the outdoor classroom, fostering confidence, and assisting students in understanding basic concepts appropriate for their grade level. This teaching approach involves interactive learning through games, artistic activities, visual aids, music, and other tools to keep students engaged and challenged.
The TA may be asked to take small groups of students aside for focused learning and/or artistic activities and step in as a substitute when the teacher is absent.
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Please send a letter of interest and resume to: employment@springriverschool.org​​​​​​
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Forest School Teaching Assistant
View the Job Description for details
Status: Part-Time/Hourly
Days of Work: Wednesdays, 8:30 am - 2:30 pm
Pay Rate: $18/hr
Benefits: 15% Tuition Remission
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Position Summary:
Spring River School is seeking a nurturing, capable, and enthusiastic Teaching Assistant (TA) to support our outdoor, Waldorf-inspired homeschool enrichment program. The TA will work directly alongside the Lead Forest Teacher in one of our local “outdoor classrooms”—beautiful parks and preserves in Northeast Florida.
This position supports the social and academic growth of children in a multi-age, nature-based learning environment.
Teaching Assistants serve as role models of patience, warmth, and engagement, while helping implement the curriculum through hands-on, artistic, and movement-rich experiences. The ideal candidate is adaptable, dependable, and comfortable working in all weather conditions.
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Email a letter of interest/resume to employment@springriverschool.org
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4-Day Program Class Teacher (Grades 1-8)
View the Job Description for details
Status: Full-time, Exempt
Salary range: $40,000–$50,000, with annual cost-of-living increases
Spring River School is seeking a committed and reflective Class Teacher to join our all-outdoor, Waldorf-inspired 4-Day Academic Program for the 2026–2027 school year. This full-time, salaried role offers the opportunity to practice developmentally aligned teaching in a deep relationship with nature, families, and a collegial learning community.
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Class Teachers are intentionally supported within a collaborative leadership model, including a Pedagogical Director, Teacher Development Coordinator, Pedagogical Operations Coordinator, and an Integrated Student Support Team. This structure ensures clear expectations, mentoring, and shared responsibility—allowing teachers to focus on high-quality instruction and meaningful relationships.
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Position highlights include:
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Full-time, salaried position (Monday–Thursday instruction; Fridays for planning and professional work)
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Salary range: $40,000–$50,000, with annual cost-of-living increases
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40% tuition remission, health stipend, paid professional development, and possible relocation support
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Eligibility for Collegial Circle membership after one year
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This role is ideal for educators drawn to Waldorf pedagogy, outdoor education, and collaborative leadership within a mission-driven nonprofit school community.
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Please submit a resume and a brief letter of interest outlining your teaching background and interest in outdoor Waldorf-inspired teaching to:
employment@springriverschool.org
Attn: Deborah Dornemann
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4-Day Program Teacher Development Coordinator
View the Job Description for details
Status: Full-time, Exempt
Salary: Range $48,000-$50,000
Benefits: 40% Tuition Remission​ (Coordination with Florida Step Up for Students Scholarship to cover up to 100%), Health stipend, Paid professional development, Paid time off and school holidays, Possible relocation stipend
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Position Summary:
​The Teacher Development Coordinator provides embedded pedagogical leadership, mentoring, and professional development support for faculty in the 4-Day Academic Program. Working closely with the JEC Pedagogical Director and the Pedagogical Operations Coordinator, this role is part of a collaborative leadership triad supporting instructional quality, collegial culture, and pedagogical coherence.
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The first year of this role is intentionally designed as a Transition Year, emphasizing immersion, relationship-building, and alignment. During this year, the Coordinator will focus on building trust with faculty and staff while developing a deep understanding of Spring River’s culture, rhythms, and instructional practices.
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Schedule
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Monday–Thursday: Embedded in the 4-Day Academic Program
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Fridays: Administrative and leadership workday (on-site or remote)
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Summer: Flexible schedule supporting planning, onboarding, and professional development
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Observes regular school holidays and includes paid time off
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Key Responsibilities
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Mentor and coach teachers through observation, reflection, and professional dialogue
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Support new teacher onboarding and ongoing faculty development
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Co-lead faculty meetings and collegial processes
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Collaborate with student support leadership to align instructional practice
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Support parent conversations related to pedagogy and child development
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Participate in open houses, festivals, and community events as a pedagogical representative
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Qualifications
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Experience teaching in a Waldorf or Waldorf-inspired educational setting (K–8 preferred)
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Firm grounding in child development and developmentally appropriate practice
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Experience mentoring or supporting adult educators
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Collaborative leadership style with strong interpersonal and communication skills
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Clear, respectful written and verbal communication skills
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High level of organizational and administrative competence, including proficiency with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office
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Ability to work effectively with faculty, program leadership, administrative staff, and board-level partners within a nonprofit organization
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Personal and professional alignment with an organization grounded in living anthroposophy
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Waldorf teacher training and prior pedagogical leadership experience are preferred.
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Please submit a resume and a brief letter of interest outlining your teaching background and interest in faculty development to:
employment@springriverschool.org
Attn: Deborah Dornemann
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Open Positions for the 2025-2026 School Year​​
Open Positions for the 2026-2027 School Year​​
Our School
Spring River School is an initiative of Jacksonville Educational Community, a pioneering nonprofit founded by parents and educators with a shared vision: to create a transformative, whole-child educational experience grounded in nature, community, and developmental insight.
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This impulse gave rise to Florida’s first Waldorf-inspired K–8 all-outdoor education program. Today, Spring River offers a diverse range of homeschool enrichment programs, including:
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A K–8 nature immersion program
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A two-day Waldorf homeschool program
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A high school program
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Parent-child classes (birth to age 5)
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A parent-led playgroup
We strive to create an inclusive, welcoming environment for families of all identities and backgrounds. Our programs cultivate curiosity, resilience, and reverence for the world—nurturing head, heart, and hands.
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Learn More about Spring River's History.
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Our Community
Located in Jacksonville, Spring River benefits from a welcoming, multicultural city that offers the resources of a central metropolitan area alongside exceptional access to nature. Jacksonville is home to a flourishing arts and theater scene, lively street fairs and markets, thriving museums, professional sports, and world-class fishing. Year-round outdoor living is woven into daily life—whether along the historic St. Johns River, shaded forest trails, or the city’s 22 miles of neighborhood beaches. The city also boasts the largest urban park system in the United States, encompassing more than 80,000 acres across hundreds of parks, preserves, gardens, and arboretums—an extraordinary landscape that directly supports our outdoor, place-based educational model.
EOE Statement: We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
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It is the policy of Spring River School to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, disability, status as a covered veteran, or any other legally protected status, in accordance with federal and state law, and not to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, compensation, benefits, promotion, demotion, layoff, termination and all other terms and conditions of employment.