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Category: High School

Empowering Digital Navigators

Shining Mountain Waldorf High School April 21, 2022, in Boulder, Colo. (Photo by Jack Dempsey)

Cyber Civics at Shining Mountain Waldorf School As screens and media become integral to our lives, Shining Mountain Waldorf School is at the forefront, equipping students to be ethical, responsible, safe, compassionate, and courageous members of both real-life and digital realms. Join us in shaping future leaders with a keen understanding of technology and a […]

Shining Mountain Waldorf High School: Senior Projects 2022

At Shining Mountain and most other Waldorf high schools, each senior chooses an area of interest starting by the end of their junior year, finds and works with a mentor from the wider community, and immerses themself in an individual project for approximately six months. During the process, the student documents their learning both visually […]

The Greatest Scientists are Artists Too

Louis Pastuer was a painter. Albert Einstein and Francis Arnold were both accomplished musicians. New research shows that award winning scientists, and especially Nobel Prize winners, are far more likely to have artistic hobbies than the general public. Many of them, including Einstein, cite the role of the arts in their breakthroughs. Creativity and perseverance […]

Working with Your Hands Does Wonders for Your Brain

Prolonged focus between our hands and raw materials encourages cognitive connections, fine-motor activity, concentration, perseverance with tasks, and a sense of pride in meaningful work. Susan Biali Haas M.D., originally published in June 2019 on the Psychology Today website. I’ve been working hard on a proposal for a new book. This involves a lot of sitting […]

Is ‘AQ’ more important than intelligence? Educating for an Uncertain Future

By Seb Murray, originally published in Nov. 2019 on the BBC website, Worklife 101 . As workplaces change, is it enough to be smart? Enter AQ, the capacity to adapt that may well determine your future career success. Once, if you wanted to assess how well someone might do climbing the career ladder, you might […]

Waldorf Schools are Media Literacy Role Models

By Soni Albright, originally published in Oct. 2021 on the Cyber Civics website. As we celebrate Media Literacy Week 2021, it’s hard to believe that Waldorf schools in North America have been leading the way when it comes to Media Literacy education. What’s that? Waldorf schools and “Media” Literacy? Do you mean those schools that […]

Shooting for the Stars: SMWS Alum and SpaceX Engineer Sarah Gillis

Sarah (Levine) Gillis, Lead Space Operations Engineer at SpaceX and crew trainer for the Inspiration4 mission, graduated from Shining Mountain Waldorf High School in 2012. Less than a decade later, in September, 2021, at the age of 27, Sarah is playing a lead role in the historical SpaceX Inspiration4 all-civilian human space flight mission; their […]

Video Premiere! Educating our Children Beyond the Classroom

At Shining Mountain Waldorf School, an independent K-12 school in Boulder, CO, educating our children continues as faculty and staff deliver the comprehensive, experiential curriculum of Waldorf Education into our students’ homes. This video, which was created by Nita Davanzo, Class of ’99, on behalf of SMWS’s Advancement Team, provides a glimpse of the magic […]

Hermit Island Trip, Marine Biology Lessons & More

by Althea Wilson, Class of 2020 Every year, the Shining Mountain Waldorf School senior class, along with seniors from five other Waldorf schools, takes part in a week-long marine biology course in Maine. We all camped on Hermit Island and attended classes in the “kelp shed”– a building that’s over a hundred years old. Our […]

New video from AWSNA, the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America

Waldorf: An Education for the Future On September 19, 2019, Waldorf education celebrates 100 years. Across the globe, Waldorf schools are engaging in creative, social and environmental actions. With these initiatives, Waldorf communities are seeding the future. 100 years is only the beginning. Visit https://www.waldorfeducation.org/waldorf100 to learn more. Join the movement. Seed the future.

Shining Mountain High School Student Exchange in Germany

by Grace Remmert about her exchange during the spring semester of her 10th grade year. My name is Grace Remmert and I’m in the spring semester of my 10th grade year at Shining Mountain Waldorf School, Boulder. I am currently on a three-month exchange to Düsseldorf, Germany and attending the Rudolf Steiner Schule. For those […]

Redefining Language Acquisition: From Language Teacher to Language Partner

By Julie Irwin SMWHS Spanish Teacher My first child hardly spoke one word until he was three years old. Alternately, my other child couldn’t stop speaking from the time he opened his mouth. The third is still so young we will have to wait and see. You don’t have to be a language teacher to […]

World Language in Waldorf Schools – what to expect and why  

Paula J Blum, World Language Department Chair Shining Mountain Waldorf School and Association of American Teachers of German (AATG)  Professional Consultant “Kopf, Schulter, Knie und Zehe” sings the first grade German class as they touch their heads, shoulders, knees and toes. Frau Geck, Lower School German teacher at Shining Mountain Waldorf School in Boulder, Colorado, […]

Teaching World Languages with Storytelling: A Waldorf-friendly approach

By Joshua Berman I walk into the brightly colored 3rd grade classroom, where the children are already seated, with my guitar case slung over one shoulder and a covered basket of props in my hand. A few items are strategically overflowing and students try to catch a glimpse of what’s inside—today, a chef’s hat, a […]

Discover Waldorf Education

Discover Waldorf Education

Shining Mountain Waldorf School is committed to offering a comprehensive education that caters to the physical, emotional, and intellectual growth of our students. Our multi-disciplinary approach integrates science, art, mathematics, music, and outdoor education for a broad-based experience. If you are seeking a school that fosters authenticity, analytical and creative thinking, and a sense of community, take the first step and learn more about our school.

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Job Details

  • Job Title: Facilities & Grounds Assistant

  • Program: Administration

  • Reports to: Facilities & Grounds Director

  • FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

  • Date: January 2026

Position Summary

Shining Mountain Waldorf School (“SMWS”) is a PreK-12th grade campus consisting of 8 acres and 15 buildings located at the foothills of North Boulder, Colorado. In conjunction with the Facilities Director, the Facilities and Grounds Assistant provides year-round maintenance, seasonal upkeep, and improvement of school buildings and grounds to support our nature and outdoor school curriculum. Maintenance, safety, and improvement projects are essential to welcome visitors and the SMWS community to the natural beauty of the SMWS campus.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Required skills to address issues relating to campus maintenance: plumbing, electrical, carpentry, painting, HVAC, care of the grounds, etc.

  • Daily tour of campus and playground for hazards, trash, safety, and wildlife concerns

  • Daily response to requests for repairs and campus assistance

  • Daily late afternoon safety checks for campus and building safety

  • Weekly service and safety inspection of school buses (fuel, oil, tires, etc.)

  • Weekly cleaning and organizing of facilities and grounds workshop

  • Weekly safety inspections of playground equipment

  • Preparation for school events and meetings, including setup and breakdown of tables and chairs

  • Seasonal work, inspecting and maintaining classrooms, air conditioners, swamp coolers, furnaces, water heaters, thermostats, etc.

  • Supplement early morning seasonal and evening snow removal and ice management throughout campus in preparation for the student and parent arrival and departure of the school day

  • Delivery and moving of items throughout campus classrooms and buildings

Additional Responsibilities

  • Outdoor work, walking, repairing, and attention to our 8-acre campus

  • School events set up and break down – festivals, concerts, and plays   

  • Driving ability to include driving school truck with trailer   

  • Working knowledge of automotive care and maintenance   

  • Working with faculty and assisting in moving and preparing classrooms   

Education and Qualifications

  • Familiarity with landscaping and irrigation, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, painting, HVAC, and general maintenance items

  • Friendly and approachable temperament working with faculty, staff, students, and community

  • Previous construction, trade, and technical skills

  • Self-starter in recognizing and completing necessary campus needs and maintenance

  • Skill and ability to operate power tools in accordance with proper safety guidelines

  • Basic computer skills

  • Driver’s license required with excellent driving record

  • Available to work a flexible schedule at times when work is needed outside of normal working hours – early mornings and weekends (early/late snow removal, event set up and break down, facilities emergencies, etc.)

Work Setting

  • Status: Full time – 40 hour a week non-exempt position

  • Type: This is an hourly, year-round position

  • Hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (may require some early morning and evening hours)

  • Environment: Work setting varies based on assignment – indoor and outdoor work on campus and buildings

Salary and Benefits

  • Pay: Hourly wage of $25.00 per hour – overtime paid (time and ½) when over 40 hours are worked per week

  • Time Off: Personal Time Off (monthly accruals of 2 weeks and 3 weeks after 1+ years)

  • Sick Leave: Colorado Paid Sick Leave (1 hour earned each 30 hours worked up to 48 hours each calendar year)

  • Holidays: Up to 15 Paid National Holidays per calendar year, including a paid week during the December holidays

  • Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term disability, 401(k) with match (determined annually), flexible spending account, and other ancillary benefits

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the Essential Duties and Responsibilities of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to perform:

  • General construction work-related requirements, including but not limited to: lifting, bending, standing, kneeling, carrying items, working on a ladder, etc.

  • Ability to lift at least 60 pounds

  • Work in tight spaces – work may be in small spaces within buildings, crawl spaces, and frame restrictions

  • Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 


Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume, and three references to hrmgr@smwaldorf.org

Shining Mountain Waldorf School is fully committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting, retaining, developing, and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to their race, religion, gender, gender identity, disability, familial status, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited by state or local law. We are dedicated to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment, where employees are treated with respect and dignity. 


Job Details

  • Job Title: Substitute Teacher

  • Program: Grades 1 through Grade 12

  • Reports to: Campus Operations Director

  • FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

  • Date: October 2024

Position Summary

Shining Mountain Waldorf School, a PreK to High School, is seeking Substitute Teachers. In order to create an encouraging learning environment for students while their regular Teacher is absent, our Substitute Teachers will need to effectively manage and instruct the class. We are looking for individuals who have teaching experience, love the classroom environment, and are available (sometimes on very short notice) to work during the week. Knowledge of Waldorf education is a plus.

Essential Responsibilities

  • Teaching and supervision of students in the event that their regular teacher is unable to lead class.

  • Manage classroom behavior and follow lesson plans provided by the regular Teacher to create a cohesive and consistent learning experience for students.

  • Manage the classroom effectively to encourage student participation, minimize distractions and maintain a positive learning environment.

  • Adapt teaching methods to fit the needs of each individual student.

  • Supervise students in and out of the classroom, including in class transitions, and on the playground.

Work Setting

  • Classroom and playground environment

Salary and Hours

  • Pay: $25 per hour with a 2-hour daily minimum

  • Timesheets are required to be completed

  • Substitute Teaching hours vary and are contingent on SMWS Faculty absences from the classroom and class needs

  • Calls to Substitute Teach may be made on very short notice – evening and morning hours

  • Substitute hours are based on SMWS need for classroom coverage

Education and Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree

  • Teaching experience and classroom experience required

  • Comfortable with students and academic focus

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the Essential Duties and Responsibilities of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to perform:   

  • Sitting and standing for class presentations   

     

  • Lift 25 pounds, bending, stretching   

     

  • Mobility to move about the classroom, walking around our 12 -acre campus, and playground   

     

  • Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.  

 
Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest and resume to hrmgr@smwaldorf.org.

Shining Mountain Waldorf School is fully committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting, retaining, developing and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to their race, religion, gender, gender identity, disability, familial status, sexual orientation or national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited by state or local law. We are dedicated to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment, where employees are treated with respect and dignity.



Kim Rector
Kim Rector

Admissions Director

Kim brings more than 12 years of dedicated experience in Advancement and Admissions within Waldorf Education. Kim’s journey with Waldorf Education began in 2013 at the Austin Waldorf School, where she discovered a deep passion for Waldorf pedagogy and Anthroposophy. After relocating to Colorado in 2014, Shining Mountain Waldorf School quickly became a second home for her family. That same year, Kim stepped into the role of Lower School Receptionist, marking the start of nearly a decade of service and leadership at SMWS.

With over 15 years of experience in non-profit fundraising and event management, Kim was a natural fit for the position of Development Director at Shining Mountain, a role she held from 2017 to 2020. She then transitioned into Admissions, serving as Admission Director from 2020 until her family’s return to Austin in 2023. Kim continued work in Waldorf Education by serving as Admission Director at the Austin Waldorf School for the following three years.

Kim studied Biochemistry at Texas State University and has completed her Foundation Studies in Anthroposophy.

Outside of her professional life, Kim and her husband, Julian, are parents to their three children, Sydney, Suri, and Julian. Together, they enjoy hiking, fishing, camping, skiing, and cooking as a family.