Children's House Director

Riverbend School•Natick, MA

About The Position

Riverbend School is a Pre-K through 8th Grade Montessori school in the Boston Metrowest area, with approximately 200 students and 50 staff members. The Children’s House Director leads the Toddler through Kindergarten division and is responsible for its academic program and student and family needs. The Director oversees curriculum, pedagogy, student support, faculty, and other educational matters during the school year and summer, working collaboratively with school administrators to support enrollment and the division’s reputation in the Riverbend community and wider early childhood learning community. The Director is an administrative leader who reports to the Head of School and supervises Children’s House faculty, floaters, substitutes, and the Administrative Assistant. The role includes supporting and evaluating staff, developing curriculum and professional growth, maintaining relationships with students and families, coordinating admissions and transitions to Elementary, managing division operations and budgets, and helping uphold Riverbend’s Montessori philosophy and commitment to belonging, diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-bias and anti-racist work. The position requires an early childhood school background, direct teaching experience, a bachelor’s degree, and strong collaboration, communication, and organizational skills. Montessori training is strongly preferred.

Requirements

At least 5 years of experience working in an early childhood school setting.
Direct teaching experience.
Understanding of and appreciation for the Montessori philosophy.
Experience with curriculum development, supervision and evaluation, professional development, and enrollment management.
Ability to relate to staff, students, families, and contracted professionals.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to collaborate effectively.
Comfort working in a culturally diverse environment and commitment to embracing differences and valuing multiple perspectives.
Detail-oriented and highly organized.
Bachelor’s degree.
Commitment to furthering Riverbend’s anti-bias and anti-racist work, including embracing differences and exploring and affirming identities and intersections across race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, social class, family structures, learning differences, and ability.
Commitment to Montessori education.

Nice To Haves

Montessori training.
Advanced degree in education or a related field.

Responsibilities

Oversee the Children’s House program, including curriculum, pedagogy, student support, and educational matters for Toddler through Kindergarten during the school year and summer.
Support faculty through curriculum oversight, regular observations and feedback, and assistance with student and family academic or behavioral needs.
Build relationships with students and families through timely communication, attending school events, and greeting families at drop-off and pick-up.
Attend and help coordinate Parent Association and Room Parent programs.
Work with the Head of School and Director of Elementary and Middle School to support Children’s House faculty in their responsibilities.
Oversee Children’s House activities and coordinate curriculum scope, sequence, and expectations between divisions.
Supervise and evaluate Children’s House faculty, floaters, specialists, and student support staff.
Support the individual and professional development goals of Children’s House staff.
Collaborate with the Director of Enrollment Management on admission activities for Toddler and Primary applicants.
Collaborate with the Director of Elementary and Middle School on student retention from Children’s House to Elementary programs.
Attend administrative meetings as required or requested by the Head of School.
Create schedules, calendars, rosters, and materials for daily and weekly Children’s House operations.
Interface regularly with the Associate Head of School regarding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives.
Work with the Learning Specialist and outside providers, including speech and occupational therapists, to meet students’ learning needs.
Recruit, onboard, and orient new staff, substitutes, and other Children’s House personnel.
Arrange daily coverage for teacher absences for Children’s House programming from 7:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Collaborate with the Leadership Team on projects and events that advance the school.
Oversee Children’s House events and support other all-school events.
Collaborate with the Auxiliary Programs Director to support consistent use of Montessori principles and methodology in summer and before- and after-school programs.
Model professional ethics and uphold Riverbend’s culture of belonging through conversations, mentoring, and example.
Demonstrate understanding and commitment to Montessori education and model grace, courtesy, and respect.
Support the school’s anti-bias and anti-racist work through personal commitment and action.
Work with the CFO to develop and administer budgets related to the position, set classroom budget projections, and identify capital needs.
Take on other duties as assigned.
Function as a self-directed member of an administrative team and meet professional standards consistent with the school’s philosophy and mission.