Primary Montessori Teacher

**Position Description**

The Primary Lead Teacher works with children between the ages of 3-6. They are a nurturing, intentional and empowering professional Montessori educator. Is a strong classroom leader, dedicated to fostering a positive and collaborative school community with a passionate commitment to the authentic Montessori philosophy and methods.

**Essential job responsibilities include**:
**Education of Students**:

- Lesson Planning based on child’s development and Montessori curriculum
- Delivery of lessons: gives appropriate and engaging presentations of Montessori Materials
- Observes individual children and community of children at least 1x daily
- Establishes a relationship with each child and is aware of each child's developmental processes and learning style
- Has full professional understanding of Montessori philosophy and seeks opportunities to learn more

**Safety**:

- Learn and uphold all school policies and procedures
- Complete Body Safety, Mandated Reporter, and other safety trainings
- Monitors playground and in view of all children
- Aware of playground rules
- Observes classroom and snack area carefully for hazards
- Re-enforces classroom expectations to ensure the safety of the children
- Uses First Aid training as needed
- Monitors children behavior with materials
- Reports safety, behavior, and maintenance issues as observed
- Observes children to ensure they are not hurting themselves, others, or materials

**Classroom and School Administration Requirements**
- Submits bi-weekly Enews article in timely manner
- Manages classroom budget, ordering and purchase of supplies and materials
- Alerts Co-Directors immediately of difficulties with children, caregivers, staff
- Reports accidents/incidents and fills out appropriate forms
- Maintains current attendance records, and submits copies of student records to office in a timely manner and at the end of each school year
- Maintains staff and personal professional development records on DHS Michigan Early Childhood Care and Educational Professional Development Records and submits to Co-Directors by December 31st of each year
- Knows the White book and ensures all members of the team know the policies and protocols in the White Book
- Knows the Employee Handbook and ensures all members of the team understand common policies/protocols

**Classroom Management**
- Most children working purposefully on variety of classroom curriculum materials
- Oversees safety of all children
- Firm consistent ground rules enforced
- Children work respectfully with classroom materials
- Children interact in kind, respectful, helpful ways
- Calm atmosphere with children and adults using quiet voices, slow movement
- Demonstrate kind, firm, respectful communication with children
- Conscientiously attend to upkeep of the environment
- Children demonstrate that they have been given lessons on grace and courtesy, take responsibility, are self-disciplined, independent and are able to problem solve

**Communication**
- Regularly updates information in Transparent Classroom
- Holds regular caregiver conferences
- Maintains open communication and establishes a partnership with caregivers
- Protect student privacy in accordance with FERPA and school policies.
- Report all safety concerns, suspected abuse or neglect, or failure to uphold school policies/procedures to the Co-Directors or the Board of Directors of TMS.
- As a Mandated Report, report suspected child abuse or neglect to the appropriate Michigan agency in accordance with Mandated Report training.

**Supervision**
- General oversight and mentoring of classroom staff
- Problem solving/conflict resolution
- Regular, weekly communication with classroom staff and specialists
- Regular, monthly team meeting with classroom staff
- Assists with problem solving unexpected staffing issues
- Trains new classroom assistants
- Orients new staff to practices/protocols and culture
- Conducts performance evaluations in a timely, productive manner
- Monitors, documents and reports performance concerns

All other duties as assigned; the above list is not all inclusive.

**Position Qualifications**

**Minimum Qualifications**:

- AMS or AMI Montessori Early Childhood Credential
- Bachelor’s or Associate's Degree
- At least 3 years of direct experience in a Montessori environment
- Ability to work during the school day (8am-4pm) as well as records days, occasional evenings, and weekends to meet the needs of the school and its constituents
- Excellent communication, teamwork and child safety skills required
- Meet the physical requirements of this position detailed below

**Preferred Qualifications**:

- Experience of 5 years or more in a childcare setting
- Experience as a Montessori Primary Lead Guide
- Training in Montessori support
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion trainings
- Body Safety training, Mandated Reporter training, CPR certification
- Demonstrate dedication to the practice of the Montessori educatio