Montessori Primary Lead Teacher

Gateway Montessori School was founded in 1982 by Karen Grant and Dr. Michael C. Grant through their love for children and their desire to spread Montessori philosophy to our families and community. Nearly four decades later, Gateway Montessori School still operates with this same honest intention of spreading Montessori education to best serve the bright, healthy futures of our children. Gateway Montessori School is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt corporation.

The Primary Lead Teacher position requires someone trained and experienced in the Montessori Method, with an ability to create a sequence of fresh materials using a variety of current resources, connect ideas to purposeful and sensory activities, and integrate topics and lessons that best serve a particular group of learners. It is also important that the person in this position welcome the opportunity to work collaboratively with other Montessori certified teachers and an assistant guiding 24 children in a mixed-age primary classroom.

Duties

·Oversee and participate in the preparation and maintenance of a clean, beautiful environment in the mixed age classroom in which the furnishings and materials are complete, clean and correspond to the needs of the entire group.

·Maintain current accurate academic records, including attendance records for all children using cross-reference records (or other record keeping method as determined by administration, staff, or the State of Colorado, (we currently use Transparent Classroom).

·Be responsible for the safety and physical/emotional well-being of the children at all times. Greet children upon arrival and see them off with their approved transporter; supervise completion of sign in/out tablet.

·Maintain on-going communication with parents in regard to special activities in the classroom and birthday celebrations as well as individual child’s needs.Maintain on-going positive interactions with parents daily in regard to their children, this includes responding to parents phone calls and emails within 24 hours Monday-Friday.

·Schedule and hold 20 min. new child interviews with parents new to Gateway.

·Hold regular conferences, two yearly with the parents of preschool children. Prepare written summaries; copies of summaries to be submitted to the administrator two days prior to conference.

·Notify the administrator of personal difficulties with children, parents, or staff that you have been unable to resolve directly.

·Protect the privacy and working atmosphere of children and staff at all times.

·Assist with the training and supervision of children in the execution of emergency drills as required by the State.

·Participate in daily/weekly opportunities for questions and observations with fellow staff, including conducting weekly staff meetings to include staff training, setting specific goals for individual students, classroom goals and preparation of conferences.

·Guide students in learning and understanding via means of the Montessori Method. Also, participate in development and implementation of adult (parent) orientation courses/presentations as requested.

·Demonstrate familiarity and compliance with all state regulations and with school policies as outlined in the Staff and Parent Handbooks.

·Attend all staff meetings, parent education nights, school picnics, parent-child nights at school and teacher in-service days.

·Participate in state mandated professional development each year, enter all documentation into your PDIS file so that it remains current and up to date. As well as spend time each year observing other classrooms.

·Assist with other duties as assigned.

Requirements

·Patience, curiosity, and the ability to quietly observe.

·Experience working with young children.

·Certified Teacher AMS, AMIor MACTE approved full credential required.

· A Love of Learning, other humans and our planet

The ability to work Monday-Friday 30 hours a week

Nice To Haves

Degree in Early Childhood education, any Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree are preferred.

●Oral Communication and Written Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Able to read and interpret written information. Ability to communicate with clients or customers.

●Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; supports everyone's efforts to succeed.

●Innovation - Displays original thinking and creativity; meets challenges with resourcefulness; generates suggestions for improving work; develops innovative approaches and ideas; presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.

●Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; plans for additional resources; sets goals and objectives; organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; develops realistic action plans.

●Reasoning and Problem Solving - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems, identify complex problems, and review related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

●Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; takes responsibility for own actions; keeps commitments; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals.; completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.

●Ethics - Treats people with respect; keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; works with integrity and principles; upholds organizational values.Maintains the highest level of confidentiality.

●Conflict Resolution - Encourages open communications; confronts difficult situations; maintains objectivity; keeps emotions under control; uses negotiation skills to resolve conflicts.

●Patience – Connects with the age group in the classroom and assists the students in understanding important age-appropriate concepts and ideas. Understands that not all students may understand the learning process.

Benefits

We have a warm supportive staff who works as a team.

We are closed for a week at Thanksgiving, 2 weeks in December, a week for spring break and a week between the School year and summer and a week between summer and the new school year.

There is paid sick leave.

We have multiple teacher work days each year as well as teacher planning time, so you have compensated time to prepare your classroom.

We currently offer dental, vision and a direct care provider as benefits and we are working on providing more traditional health insurance.

Discount of tuition for staff members.