STEAM & Extensions Coordinator

Near North Montessori School•Chicago, IL

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

We are an independent, Montessori school in Chicago serving 560+ students and their families, starting at a parent-infant class and up to 8th grade. We are a community of shared values working to fulfill a meaningful mission. NNM faculty, staff and parents strive for an equitable and inclusive school culture through intentional, reflective practice. We work together to challenge all students to think for themselves, pursue their ideas and become real learners for the real world.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree
School leadership experience
Middle school teaching experience
Demonstrated ability to lead projects with different priorities and varying timelines
Excellent written and spoken communication and organization skills with a keen ability to be both responsive and proactive
Demonstrated ability to be flexible and creative with scheduling and working with community members
Exhibit high levels of responsibility and initiative, due to the autonomous nature of the position
Ability to develop curriculum, plan lessons and integrate curriculum with farm-related learning and principles of sustainability
An understanding and willingness to learn Montessori educational philosophy
An ability to teach, work with and supervise students of a wide range of ages, abilities and interests
Volunteer management
Ability to work well with others including internal and external customers
Work shifts between the outdoor farm and school settings
Field trips, some requiring overnight stays at campgrounds, hotels and other places while supervising students
Take precautions to ensure the health and safety of all children, parents, staff and themselves
Ability to clean and maintain equipment and facility, and move throughout the community with children

Nice To Haves

Montessori training and Montessori classroom experience
Elementary teaching experience
A valid driver's license is a plus, though not required

Responsibilities

Ensure the delivery of STEAM-oriented, project-based learning
Stay abreast of the latest research on and best practices in STEAM-education
Observe teachers on a regular basis; meet with individual teachers on a face-to-face basis to offer feedback
Work with teachers on best practices of unit-planning and lesson-planning, directly connected to the Scope and Sequence
Work with teachers on classroom management best practices
Work with teachers and Learning Specialist to accommodate individual students' learning differences
Work with teachers, Academic Directors, and families to address student misbehaviors and conflict
Complete and review teacher appraisals twice per school year
Function as a substitute teacher when there are teacher absences; help coordinate absences and coverage
Share STEAM events and activities through the This Week and the school’s social media
Organize, develop, and facilitate STEAM events and activities
Work with teachers to develop and enhance information provided to parents and families about the work in the Extensions classes (e.g., through Progress Reports and/or Parent Conferences)
Work with Academic Directors to share out student profiles in advance of the start of a new Extension class rotation
Work with the Band Director to recruit band students and “rebuild” the band after several years of declining participation
Highlight and promote the benefits of music education
Work with Extension teachers, classroom teachers, and Academic Directors to clarify and refine the purposes of Open Studio
Work with Extensions teachers and classroom teachers to ensure everyone knows what options are available during the Open Studio time
Work with Extension teachers to ensure appropriate progress on the Scope and Sequence
Work with Music teachers on the Scope and Sequence
Work with Music teachers on planning, preparing for, and communicating about performances
Attend monthly Leadership Meetings with HoS
Organize and facilitate monthly Extension teacher meetings
Attend monthly Faculty Meetings