Lead Teacher - Primary

City Garden Montessori•Oak Creek, WI

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The City Garden Montessori School Lead Guide understands and promotes the school’s mission, vision, objectives, and policies both within and outside the school community. The Lead Guide is responsible for providing an instructional program in a multi-aged (3 to 5 year olds) classroom, delivered with both Montessori and an anti-bias/anti-racist pedagogy. The Lead Guide reports to the School Principal and works in partnership with their assistant guide, other instructional staff, and parents to nurture the comprehensive development of all children in the school grounded in the Montessori method of education.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Teaching, Education, or a related discipline
2+ years classroom experience
Certification in Montessori Early Childhood Education from AMI/AMS or other highly regarded Montessori certifying authority
Experience in working collaboratively and providing direction to assistant teacher and other classroom support staff

Nice To Haves

2+ years of teaching experience in a public school or urban setting
Certification in both of the following: o Montessori Certification from AMI/AMS or other highly regarded Montessori certifying authority o Early Childhood Teaching Certification with Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)
Deeply grounded in racial equity and have strong alignment with anti-bias, anti-racism values, and be able to lead from this place
Experience in working collaboratively and providing direction and feedback to assistant teacher and other classroom support staff

Responsibilities

Creating lesson plans and curricula focused on developing social, physical, intellectual, and emotional skills, assessing children’s individual needs, and communicating with parents as required.
Lead a classroom team which includes a dedicated Assistant Guide, as well as any additional staff assigned to support students.
Makes use of the resources such as Montessori Albums, State Standards and current research based instructional practices, to develop lesson plans, independent learning exercises, curricula, and methods that cater to the needs of the individual child
Monitoring and assessing student progress and writing up reports
Responsible for maintaining an on-going dialogue with specialty teachers and coordinating curriculum integration and implementation
Understanding and implementing ABAR principles
Work with students of various abilities assigned to the classroom, including those with learning differences as diagnosed; participating in meetings, training, and planning cooperatives to fully meet each child’s needs
Use various assessment tools/strategies as applicable such as iReady, observations, children’s work samples, continuums of development, portfolios, etc. to help make instructional decisions for individual students
Create and communicate weekly learning plans for all students
Plans and coordinates classroom field trips and classroom supplies budget; ensuring all resources are used in support of educating students and the school’s mission
Assists in the development of and participates in school functions, including but not limited to Open Houses, Transition Nights, Curriculum Nights, Parent Orientations and the Family Field Day
Establishing rapport and building relationships with students based on trust
Preparing an environment in which the furnishings and materials are complete, available and in working condition, and correspond to the needs of the group
Creating and maintaining a safe, clean, stimulating classroom where all children feel safe and valued
Maintaining a clear, orderly, and attractive Montessori environment, including the care and maintenance of classroom materials and equipment
Communicating needs for the classroom in accordance with school norms, i.e., maintaining inventory of classroom materials and any additional materials needed
Setting an excellent example for students and instilling good values in them like honesty, accountability, understanding, tolerance, respect, love, and kindness
Observing, guiding, supervising, and assessing children while they learn in the classroom environment
Responsible for the safety of the children left in their charge until dismissed to a responsible adult
Ensures that the physical environment adheres to all health and safety regulations as required by the State of Missouri and City Garden policy
Updating records on the school information system (SIS), Transparent Classroom, and handling various other administrative tasks
Responsible for communication that supports an understanding of the school’s program, develops positive relationships within the school community, and protects the privacy and confidentiality of each student and family
Establishes a positive relationship with parents and guardians and maintains regular communication with parents and guardians with regard to their child’s specific needs
Plans for parent and guardian conferences, meetings and communication throughout the school year in accordance with school policy
Responds to parent and guardian concerns in a timely manner
The Lead Guide communicates to parents and guardians and others in the school community about the classroom and curriculum
Develops and participates in parent and guardian programs that help develop an understanding of the Montessori Curriculum
Completes required report cards/ progress reports in accordance with school policy
Perform self-assessment and refinement of practice in the classroom as well as collaborative professional growth
Actively participate in a regular evaluation process including classroom observations, feedback conferences, and an annual self-evaluation toward goals set by the guide and/or in conjunction with the school principal
Maintain their teaching skills and participates in professional development activities (both within the school community and attendance at conferences, workshops, etc.)
Participate in collegial activities designed to make the entire school a productive learning environment, for example, age level meetings, curriculum discussion groups, working committees, mentoring, etc.
It is expected that Lead Guides attend all scheduled meetings and professional days as appropriate to their level, and participates and shares information from professional development activities with colleagues to benefit the learning community
Obtain and maintain certifications in Montessori and DESE as appropriate for the grade level and subject area, develops positive relationships within the school community, and protects the privacy and confidentiality of each student and family
Takes an active role in developing City Garden as an institution of learning
Participates in staff meetings, school events, and conferences
Overseeing a classroom team consisting of the Lead Guide, the Assistant Guide, and any support staff assigned to the classroom; which includes training, supervision, and providing feedback.
Keeps information confidential
Is professional and positive in all dealings with students and parents
Participates in school functions when requested by the Principal, including but not limited to Open Houses, Transition Nights, Curriculum Nights, Parent Orientations and the Family Field Day
Responsible for reading the employee handbook and adhering to the guidelines and policies as established in the employee handbook