Mentor Montessori Teacher: Lakeland, FL

Bezos Academy • Lakeland, FL

21d • $68,000 - $102,000 • Onsite

About The Position

As a Mentor Montessori Teacher, you will serve as an instructional coach at a Bezos Academy school within our network of high quality, tuition-free, Montessori-inspired preschools in under-resourced communities. You will coach teachers to plan, prepare, and model instructional activities that facilitate active Montessori learning experiences. You will use child-level assessment and growth data to modify instructional plans to ensure every classroom is thriving and every child is ultimately ready for kindergarten. You will bring a deep knowledge of primary (age 3-6) Montessori educational principles and practices, as well as complementary early childhood philosophies and pedagogies. You will draw upon your prior history as a strong teacher of children and collaborator with colleagues. You will facilitate learning opportunities for teachers that support the cognitive, language, social, emotional, and physical development of every child. You will mentor learners from your school in Bezos Academy’s Montessori Credential Program. You share our passion for and have experience working with students and families in low-income areas from diverse backgrounds. You will build relationships and communicate regularly with Lead Teachers and Assistant Teachers to support both teacher and child development.
In this role, you will support all classrooms in a school and report directly to the Head of School. While you will not guide your own classroom, you will have a variety of responsibilities including developing and coaching Lead and Assistant Teachers, teaching directly as needed (classroom coverage), and supporting the Head of School with operational responsibilities as a member of the administrative team. Above all, you demonstrate passion for our mission to expand access to high quality preschool in under-resourced communities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree
• Primary Montessori diploma from an AMI, AMS, or other MACTE-accredited institute
• Five or more years of experience as a primary Montessori lead teacher/guide (ages 3-6), including at least three years of experience after earning a primary Montessori diploma
• Track record of driving strong child outcomes as a teacher
• Track record of generating positive outcomes from coaching and training educators
• Ability to meet all credentialing criteria for lead early childhood teachers in Florida
• Ability to meet all additional training and eligibility requirements of Florida, including clearing background checks, tuberculosis tests, and so on, with required documentation of eligibility and training completion submitted to each state’s respective child care regulatory agency prior to start of employment
• Experience monitoring and maintaining accurate records on the progress of individual students
• Experience working effectively across lines of difference

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in a relevant field (i.e., child development, curriculum and instruction, educational technology, early childhood education, etc.)
• Knowledge of other leading early childhood philosophies and pedagogies (e.g., Reggio Emilia and Waldorf)
• Experience applying best practices in diversity, equity, and inclusion across educator development programs and/or teacher training
• Comfort and confidence with various child, classroom-efficacy, and adult learning assessment methods

Responsibilities

• Support the initial set up and ongoing evolution and design of the prepared environment throughout the year to meet the development needs of every child in the classroom
• Inventory and make recommendations for classroom materials for all areas of the environment
• Maintain knowledge of school and classroom routines and advise to ensure smooth, easy transitions and routines
• Develop additional lesson plans and corresponding materials in alignment with the overall curriculum with a diversity, equity, and inclusivity lens
• Model and support observation, record keeping, and assessment processes
• Use child-level assessment and growth data to evaluate child progress and to plan professional learning for teachers in your school
• As needed, independently supervise children throughout the day in classrooms and a variety of other situations, including but not limited to arrival/departure, transitions, outside time, rest/nap time, and (if offered) extended hours
• Support teachers’ reflection and growth in instructional practice and responsibilities
• Serve in the capacity of a field consultant for teachers enrolled in Bezos Academy’s in-house Montessori credentialing program, including meeting regularly with adult learners and conducting multiple formal observations and evaluations
• Assist Head of School with school operations, for example opening or closing the school daily, greeting families, etc.
• Plan, prepare, and deliver instructional activities that facilitate active Montessori learning experiences
• Engage in on-going self-assessment and refinement of practice as well as in collaborative professional growth around coaching and mentoring within a Montessori environment
• Support an environment that demonstrates rapport with and respect for all students
• Lead and participate in collegial activities and meetings designed to make the entire school a productive professional learning community
• Maintain teaching skills and participate in professional development activities (both within the school community and via attendance at conferences, workshops, etc.)
• Engage with regional learning opportunities and participate in a professional learning community with other Mentor Montessori Teachers

Benefits

• This is a full-time, benefits-eligible, salaried position.
• This role includes 15 paid days of vacation, 4 days of paid personal time off, and 9 paid days of sick (care) time prorated based on your position start date, as well as 9 paid holidays, 5 paid days off for an organization-wide winter break, and additional time off if required by applicable law.
• Benefits for this role include medical, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, a 401(k) plan with a 4% employer contribution match, paid parental leave, an employer-matched flexible spending account for dependent care, and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level