Director of Student Support Services (Licensed School Social Worker)

Overview

The Steiner School of Ann Arbor is seeking a full-time Social Worker to serve as our Student Support Coordinator for our K-12 program. This individual should enjoy working with children, be able to foster an inclusive and welcoming environment, and work as an advocate and support for children’s mental, emotional, and learning needs. Our school is looking for someone who values authentic relationships, innovation, and a commitment to diversity and belonging work.

Join us in working in an independent school setting that prioritizes social emotional education, movement, nature and play-based learning, bringing your ideals of education and social work support into fruition as a part of a collaborative team. This role would work as the lead coordinator for student support.

Responsibilities of the Role

• Support the High School through counseling and overseeing Social Work interns
• Lead the Student Support team for Early Childhood through Grades 1-8 
• Work collaboratively with Student Support team, families, and teachers to identify and address student support needs
• Oversee the creation and maintenance of accommodation plans for students
• Provide resources and professional development support to teachers and families in regard to neurodiversity, social and mental health

Desired Skills, Qualifications and Attributes

• Is a licensed Social Worker with a Masters degree in Social Work
• Brings a passion for education and working with children.
• Approaches student needs and conflict with patience, compassion, and care.
• Uses creativity and imagination to meet children at their developmental stage.
• Recognizes and responds to the needs of the whole class while supporting the lead teacher and individual students who may need additional support.
• Communicates clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, with teachers, families, and committees.
• Supports children’s social-emotional learning and development.
• Demonstrates curiosity and openness to Waldorf education.
• Builds collaborative and respectful partnerships with colleagues and families.

About Our School

We support our students, teachers, and administration through a strong curriculum, schedules, festivals, and school-wide collaboration. Along with a rich academic program, we offer both Spanish and German from first to twelfth grade, a growing movement program, strong fine and practical arts, choral and instrumental music. We celebrate a wide mix of traditional festivals from around the world, including Rosh Hashanah, Diwali, Dia de Los Muertos, Lunar New Year, and Eid al- Fitr.

With over 250 students, preschool through grade 12, RSSAA allows the full Waldorf pedagogy to unfold. We have a deeply experienced staff of Waldorf-trained faculty, recognizing the gifts of all individuals and the value of caring for the human spirit. We feel that the best education should help students not only become knowledgeable adults, but also secure, creative, and independent thinkers in later life. Our education strives to foster individuals who have confidence in themselves and are prepared to meet the challenges of our rapidly changing society. We endeavor to help students see connections between disciplines, synthesize and integrate information, and continue to love learning throughout their lives.

Founded in 1980, RSSAA started with Grades 1-4 in a small building and has grown into a vibrant community. Our high school campus (Pontiac Trail) is a short drive away and offers a space for the students to fully appreciate the richness of the curriculum and have their own social space.

Lower School Campus (Newport Rd): The Lower School Campus (Early Childhood – 8th grade) is on 13 wooded and grassy acres, set in a suburban neighborhood, close to the river. We strive to be in balance with our grounds through working with native species in our outdoor education program, while having plenty of play spaces, a gymnasium, and a soccer field for sports activities and gatherings. Our Middle School classes are in a separate building on the Lower School campus.

High School Campus (Pontiac Trail): What once was a family-owned factory was thoughtfully transformed by an architect to be a warm and inspiring high school. For over 25 years, we have developed our advanced academics, life science labs, eurythmy space, grounds and gardens, and a gymnasium.

Waldorf Education

As a community, we continue to hold the question of how to best meet the children of today through a pedagogy that upholds the dignity of each human being, and what we must reimagine to do so.  Waldorf education was created to offer a multi-sensory and holistic approach to education that strives to acknowledge the gifts and reduce the struggles of every individual. Our pedagogy works to meet the developmental needs of children as it supports children’s academic, social, and emotional health through critical thinking, creativity, arts, and movement. We believe children need less memorization and testing of facts, and instead, more connection and hands-on learning inspired by the truth, beauty, and wisdom of our world. Waldorf education was also founded on the principle that faculty should play an active role in governance and decision making. To find out more about this unique approach, visit the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America:

Benefits of Working at RSSAA

• Becoming a part of a community:
• We care about you as a person, your continued development, and your life outside of school.
• Values human connection and creates an environment that inspires strong relationships between our students, families, and colleagues as well as in the larger community.
• Offers a supportive and creative work environment that encourages new ideas and provides opportunities for growth.
• Considers how to best meet the children of today through a pedagogy that upholds the dignity of each human being while exploring what we must reimagine in our work in order to be effective.
• Our campuses are located a few minutes from downtown Ann Arbor, the university, and the hospital. The extended Ann Arbor area offers the richness and diversity of a university town with a small-town feel. It has many events, festivals, art, music, dance, and social activities throughout the year. Ann Arbor is rich in natural landscapes, providing many scenic parks along the river and nearby lakes. It is an area with many different job opportunities for other family members, if needed. Ann Arbor is home to the Anthroposophical Society in America, Rudolf Steiner Health Center for anthroposophical medicine, as well as a biodynamic farm, the Community Farm of Ann Arbor.
• We are a 40-minute drive from Detroit, which offers the cultural richness of an urban center, museums, cultural connections, and Detroit Waldorf School.
• Michigan’s watersheds and the Great Lakes offer wonderful places to visit and vacation. To learn more about Ann Arbor, visit: Michigan's Guide to Ann Arbor

Compensation

This full-time role would be year-round, with flexible summer hours, with a salary range of $42,000- 72,000 per year. We offer health care benefits, life insurance, matching 403b contributions, as well as a generous tuition remission package.

To Apply

We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive community and encourage candidates from historically marginalized communities and those traditionally underrepresented in Waldorf schools to apply.

Candidates should submit:

1. A cover letter that outlines their professional experience and how it supports this position.
2. A comprehensive resume or CV.
3. Contact information for three professional references.

Applications may be sent to Rachel Hackman & Blair Picone via email at [email protected] & [email protected] . Please contact both individuals in the same email! For more details about the school and the role, visit The Steiner School of Ann Arbor’s website .