JOB OPPORTUNITIES AT MWS

Our School Community

Malamalama Waldorf School was founded in 1978 by a group of devoted parents and educators seeking a different educational experience for children in the Puna district of the Big Island. MWS offers education preschool through Grade 8. MWS is located in the residential subdivision of Hawaiian Paradise Park, nestled on a 20-acre parcel in a beautiful rainforest setting. In 1979 MWS was incorporated as an independent, non-profit educational and cultural organization in the State of Hawaii. The school is a well-respected member of the Big Island community with over 40 years dedicated to Waldorf Education preschool through 8th Grade. Our graduates regularly go on to hold top academic honors in high school, including graduating valedictorians and salutatorians. They are also leaders in athletic, artistic, and performing arts endeavors.

The Big Island of Hawaii is rich in cultural diversity as well as boasting a most unusual volcanic landscape, ranch lands, and beaches. You can surf in the morning and don winter apparel for a jaunt to the summit of Mauna Kea in the afternoon.

On the Big Island, we are blessed with a beautiful natural environment, rich cultural opportunities, a temperate climate, a relatively low cost of living, and affordable housing options. The school’s salary together with its generous benefit package supports a moderate lifestyle.

Our inspiring faculty are enthusiastic with a commitment to Waldorf education delivered with warmth and through collaboration. Our dedicated Specialty Subject teachers provide Hawaiian Studies and Language, Japanese language, handwork, and music. Our parents are supportive and involved in many areas of the school, including active participation in festivals, and sharing their talents by volunteering to meet the needs of the school.

We value teachers who are open to learning about other cultures and enjoy nurturing healthy relationships with parents, students, and colleagues. We seek candidates with excellent teaching, classroom management, and communication skills and a deep understanding of students and their development.

SCHOOL YEAR 2025-26

Development Director

Mālamalama Waldorf School is seeking a passionate and strategic Development Director to lead fundraising and development initiatives that support the school’s mission of providing quality Waldorf Education in East Hawai‘i. The ideal candidate will bring creativity, proven experience in nonprofit fundraising, and a dedication to relationship building to increase revenue through individual and corporate donations, grants, and sponsorships. This role is vital to advancing the school’s mission, enhancing the educational experience, and ensuring long-term financial sustainability.

Job Title: Development Director

Reports To: School Director and Board of Directors

Location: Mālamalama Waldorf School, Kea‘au, Hawaii

Mālamalama Waldorf School Non-Profit Development Director Responsibilities:

Develop and implement a comprehensive multi-year development plan in collaboration with leadership to increase philanthropic support, including annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, grants, and special events.
Identify, cultivate, and maintain relationships with individual donors, corporate partners, and community organizations to secure gifts, sponsorships, and grants.
Work closely with the School Director, Board of Directors, and Parent Association to align fundraising efforts with the school’s vision and strategic goals.
Manage and oversee all fundraising events, ensuring effective planning, implementation and execution.
Develop and maintain an alumni database and connect with a wider network of Waldorf alumni.
Develop and maintain a donor database, ensuring accurate and timely recording of gifts and effective communication with donors.
Work closely with Mālamalama grant writer and build relationships with local philanthropic institutions and foundations.
Provide regular fundraising reports to leadership and board of directors, and make recommendations for adjustments to the fundraising plan as necessary.
Stay up to date with best practices in non-profit fundraising, including emerging trends, regulations, and compliance requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as nonprofit management, business administration, or marketing.
At least 3-5 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, with a proven track record of securing donations, sponsorships, and grants.
Proficient in communicating and interacting with various stakeholders from different backgrounds and perspectives.
Strong project management skills, with the ability to oversee multiple projects and meet deadlines.
Highly organized and detail oriented, with the ability to record and manage donor information effectively.
Knowledge of fundraising software and tools, such as donor databases, online giving platforms, and email marketing systems.
Passion for our organization's mission and a commitment to making a positive impact in the community.
Knowledge of local and national philanthropic trends and the ability to design programs for non-profit development that capitalize on those trends.
Understanding of all fundraising compliance requirements and regulations, including gift acknowledgment and nonprofit financial reporting.
Ability to adapt and cooperate with various stakeholders, including staff, volunteers, and board members, to meet fundraising objectives.

Personal Attributes:

Passion for education and commitment to the mission and values of Mālamalama Waldorf School.
A creative, self-motivated, and collaborative mindset.
Flexibility and adaptability to thrive in a dynamic, community-centered environment.

Compensation:

$55-60k with benefits for full time position, depending on experience

Salary and benefits will be commensurate with experience and aligned with the school’s compensation policies.

Application Process:

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and references to info@hawaiiwaldorf.org. In your cover letter, please address your understanding of Waldorf education and how you envision contributing to the school’s financial sustainability and growth.

Mālamalama Waldorf School is an equal opportunity employer and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply.

Hawaiian Studies Teacher: Grades PreK-Elementary

We are seeking to expand and enrich our Hawaiian Studies program here at Mālamalama Waldorf School for the remaining 2025-26 school year and continuing into the 2026-27 school year. We are looking for someone to bring their gifts to the program in addition to working closely with our current Kumu who is serving the upper grades. We are interested in fielding each candidate’s particular strengths and seeing how that could best fit and shape our school program. As a school, we appreciate and value Hawaiian history and culture and look to honoring the history of the past by enlivening it in the present as well as being good stewards of the ʻāina.

Our inspiring faculty are enthusiastic with a commitment to Waldorf education delivered with warmth and through collaboration. Our dedicated Specialty Subject teachers provide Movement, Hawaiian Studies and Language, Japanese language, handwork, and music. Our parents are supportive and involved in many areas of the school, including active participation in festivals, and sharing their talents by volunteering to meet the needs of the school.

We seek to hire an individual who is self-directed, creative, artistic, collaborative, knowledgeable of, and committed to Waldorf education and Anthroposophy. Education and experience in teaching Hawaiian Studies are highly preferred. We offer a competitive hourly wage based on education and experience and a benefits package, including support for professional development.
This position begins immediately and is part-time at 6-7 hours per week.

Job Type: Part-time
Pay: $19.00 - $25.00 per hour
Benefits: Tuition discount
Schedule: No nights, No weekends
Ability to commute/relocate:
Keaau, HI 96749: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person

Substitute Teachers

On-call M-F. Must pass a background check.

After-School Care Teacher- Early Childhood

Early Childhood Teacher to provide loving care to children ages 3-6 following the regular school day program. Teachers will need to have a Director-Teacher Card with DHS Registry. Please start the process- https://www.patchhawaii.org/programs/dhs-hawaii-early-childhood-registry/
Hours: M-Th 2-5:30, F 12-5:30

After School Care Assistant- Early Childhood

Early Childhood Assistant to provide support for the Afterschool Teacher and loving care to children ages 3-6 following the regular school day program. Assistants will need an Assistant Card with DHS Registry. Please start the process- https://www.patchhawaii.org/programs/dhs-hawaii-early-childhood-registry/
Hours: M-Th 2-5:30, F 12-5:30

After School Teacher/Director - Grades

Grades Teacher/Director will provide loving care to children ages 6-14 following the regular school day program.
Teachers/Directors will need to have a Director-Teacher Card with DHS Registry. Please start the Process- https://www.patchhawaii.org/programs/dhs-hawaii-early-childhood-registry/

To receive this card, you need to satisfy any one of the requirement groups:
1. Bachelor’s degree and 12 months experience working with children, at least 6 months of that experience should be with school-aged children;
2. Child Development Associate degree and 12 months experience working with children, at least 6 months of that experience should be with school-aged children;
3. 2 years of college and 24 months experience working with children, at least 6 months of that experience should be with school-aged children.

Hours: M-Th 2-5:30, F 12-5:30
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: From $17.00 per hour

After School Teacher's Assistant- Grades

Teacher’s Assistant will provide loving care to children ages 6-14 following the regular school day program.
Teacher’s Assistants must have a Program Leader Card with DHS Registry. Please start the process- https://www.patchhawaii.org/programs/dhs-hawaii-early-childhood-registry/

To receive this card, you need to satisfy any one of the requirement groups:
1. 2 years of college and 6 months experience working with school-aged children;
2. Child Development Associate degree and 6 months experience working with school-aged children;
3. High School diploma and 6 months experience working with school-aged children.

Hours: M-Th 2-5:30, F 12-5:30
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: From $17.00 per hour

Math Teacher: Grades 5-8

Mālamalama Waldorf School is seeking a Math teacher for grades 5-8 for the 2025-2026 school year. We are looking for someone who has previous experience teaching math, ideally has Waldorf teacher training, previous Waldorf teaching experience, and a grounding in anthroposophy with a bachelor’s degree or higher. The position is approximately 7.5 teaching hours per week and other non-teaching hours.

We offer a competitive hourly wage based on education and experience and a benefits package, including support for professional development.

Job Type: Part-time
Pay: From $19.00 per hour
Benefits: Tuition discount
Ability to commute/relocate:
Keaau, HI 96749: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person

SCHOOL YEAR 2026-27

Title I Math & Reading Tutor

Our school is seeking warm, attentive, and dependable individuals to serve as Title I Tutors supporting students in math and reading beginning 10:30am - 2:15pm with additional afterschool opportunities based on availability. This role offers the opportunity to meet children where they are, providing encouragement, structure, and steady guidance as they strengthen foundational skills.
While this position is supported through Title I programming, our work is rooted in a Waldorf-inspired approach to education. We seek tutors who can bring presence, patience, and creativity, weaving academic support with movement, rhythm, and artistic elements whenever possible. Our approach honors the whole child—engaging thinking, feeling, and willing—while building confidence and capacity in learning.

Role of the Tutor
The Title I Tutor works closely with students who benefit from additional academic support, offering individualized or small-group instruction in a calm and focused setting. Through consistency, relationship, and meaningful practice, tutors support both skill development and a growing sense of confidence.

Responsibilities
Provide small group and or one on one instruction in reading and or mathematics, reinforcing foundational skills through practice, repetition, and encouragement while integrating elements of Waldorf pedagogy such as movement, rhythm, storytelling, and artistic engagement where appropriate. Support learning in a way that engages thinking, feeling, and willing, working in collaboration with classroom teachers and administration. Observe and respond to students’ learning needs with flexibility and care, maintain a predictable, calm, and supportive learning environment, track student progress and participation, and adhere to all Title 1 requirements as set by the State of Hawaiʻi and our contracted provider, FACTS Educational Services.

Qualifications
Experience working with children in an educational or caregiving setting, along with an interest in or familiarity with Waldorf education or holistic, child centered approaches. The candidate demonstrates patience, reliability, and a calm, grounded presence, possesses strong communication and organizational skills, and shows a willingness to learn and implement instructional strategies.

We Value
Respectful and collaborative relationships, a commitment to supporting each child’s dignity and development, and consistency, reliability, and warmth in working with students.

Compensation
Pay is determined and paid through FACTS Educational Services based upon the Title 1 budget, set by the State of Hawaiʻi.

To Apply
Please send a resume and a short letter of interest describing your experience with children and your approach to providing learning support.
Email: info@hawaiiwaldorf.org

Lead Early Childhood Teacher

Mālamalama Waldorf School on the east side of Hawaiʻi Island is seeking a warm and dedicated Lead Early Childhood Teacher for the 2026–2027 school year. The ideal candidate will have Waldorf early childhood training or be in the process of completing it, and experience working with young children. We are looking for an educator who brings presence, creativity, and a genuine love for children into the classroom, and who enjoys working in close partnership with colleagues and families.

This role leads our early childhood classroom and guides a developmentally appropriate, Waldorf inspired program that supports the whole child through play, artistic activity, and connection with nature. The Lead Early Childhood Teacher creates a nurturing and well organized classroom that supports children’s social, emotional, and developmental growth.

Qualifications
Candidates should hold a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field, have completed or be in the process of completing Waldorf Early Childhood Teacher Training, possess a valid DHS Teacher and or Director Teacher Card, hold current First Aid and CPR certification, and be able to pass a background check.

Compensation and Benefits
We offer a supportive work environment, professional development opportunities, and a fair and equitable salary and benefits package.

Application Process

To Apply:
Please submit a resume, cover letter, and three professional references to info@hawaiiwaldorf.org.

Mālamalama Waldorf School is an equal opportunity employer and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply.

Job Type: Full-time
Pay: To be determined based on experience and qualifications
Benefits: Professional development support and tuition discount
Ability to commute or relocate: Keaʻau, HI 96749

Reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person

First/Second Grade Teacher

Mālamalama Waldorf School is seeking a warm and dedicated Grade 1/2 (combined class) Teacher for the 2026–2027 school year. Ideal candidates will hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, have completed Waldorf teacher training, and bring previous Waldorf teaching experience. We are looking for an educator who carries a deep love for children and enthusiasm for Waldorf Education, along with strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and parents. The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to guiding the class forward with the intention of continuing with the students through the grades. Artistic and musical abilities, strong classroom presence, social dynamic skills, and the organizational capacity needed to lead a combined class are highly valued.

Compensation and Benefits:
We offer a competitive salary commensurate with education and experience, tuition discount benefits, and support for professional development.

To Apply:
Please submit a resume, brief letter of interest, and three professional references to:
office@hawaiiwaldorf.org

Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $34,875.00 - $36,125.00 per year
Benefits: Tuition discount and professional development support
Ability to commute/relocate: Keaʻau, HI 96749

Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person

TO APPLY

Interested applicants are required to fill out our Employment Application form above and are welcome to send a letter of introduction, resume, college transcripts, Waldorf certifications, and three references to our administrative team at info@hawaiiwaldorf.org.

Mālamalama Waldorf School is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environment that values diversity and promotes equity and inclusion. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other legally protected characteristic, and we actively seek to recruit, hire, and retain a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We provide ongoing training and professional development opportunities to promote diversity and support the contributions of all employees. We encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply for employment opportunities at Mālamalama Waldorf School.

Mālamalama Waldorf School