Live and Work at a Unique, Arts and Nature-Oriented Special Education Boarding School
The Camphill School is recruiting enthusiastic applicants to live and work at our two beautiful residential campuses outside Philadelphia. We have fulfilling opportunities for anyone interested in education, psychology, the arts, medicine, therapies like SLP, OT, and PT, and organic farming and gardening.
Our school offers a holistic, individualized approach to special education with an emphasis on community-building, healing arts and therapies, and enriching classroom and home environments that integrate art, music, nature, and nourishing meals into the rhythms of our days. Our campuses’ 220 acres are gorgeous: rolling hills, colorful buildings, streams, forests, and fields of flowers. And we have cows, horses, goats, pigs, sheep, and chickens.
We have live-in positions that start in January and run through July, perfect for mid-year graduates who want to do something meaningful until grad school or a new job next fall. And we are recruiting for the ‘21/’22 school year, which requires a full-year commitment.
Role and Responsibilities
At The Camphill School, building relationships with each other is the basis of our educational approach. Our tried and true method proves that this is best done by living and learning together. We dance and sing, put on plays, work in the yard, muck out the barn, go on nature walks, and play– all with one another.
We live together cooperatively in extended-family style houses, enjoying meals together and sharing household chores. You will spend your time guiding a group of students through their activities of daily life as they work on their social and communication skills, learning goals, daily personal hygiene routines, and any challenges they might encounter along the way.
Responsibilities vary but you may help students by:
- Being a role model and encouraging self-care and social awareness skills
- Participating in and initiating recreational activities
- Assisting 1-2 elementary students in classroom activities.
- Assisting high school or transition students with pre-vocational activities in one or more of the following crews:
- Woodworking, pottery, weavery, land crew, garden crew, barn crew, the community store, and life skills.
- Helping with and encouraging independence in personal hygiene routines and daily living activities
- Preparing meals, helping maintain cleanliness and beauty in the home environment
- Assisting in planning and participating in school festivities (we celebrate a lot!)
Requirements
We are looking for self-motivated applicants who have a good sense of humor, a strong work ethic, and a willingness to learn holistic approaches to supporting neurodiverse children. Previous work with children and/or youth is an advantage but not essential - we will train you.
We Provide
- A private room in one of our beautiful houses
- Daily, nutritious meals
- A monthly stipend
- College Loan Support Program (for applicants with student debt)
- Health insurance
- 9 weeks of vacation
- Access to a car
- Other basic essentials like toiletries
Please contact Paula Toburen with any questions
610-469-9236 ext 123