Early Childhood - Teacher (Montessori)

Summary
Established in 1977, MMPSchool is independently owned and operated by certified and experienced Early Childhood professionals with a desire to demonstrate best center practices, increase the level of professional opportunities for Early Childhood educators, and resource and support parents during their child's first developmental plane. The program is intentionally small with no more than 80 children ages infants through Kindergarten who enjoy primary and continuity of care during their six year experience at the center.
Interns are guided daily under the mentorship of an internationally recognized core of certified instructors versed in Montessori, Pikler, Resources for Infant Educarers (RIE), Orton-Gillingham, and other progressive models. Additionally, consultants such as Anna Tardos (Author of In Loving Hands and and former Pikler Hungary President), Angeline Lillard (author of Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius), Janis Keyser (Author of Becoming the Parent You Want to Be and Google Childcare Founder), Tim Seldin (author of How to Raise and Amazing Child and Montessori Teacher Trainer), Kathryn Knolls (Redirecting Children's Behavior Trainer and Founder) and other leading experts periodically are retained for professional training and support of the MMPSchool collaborative team.
The collaborative teaching team of Montessori of Mount Pleasant and Little Learners Lodge enjoys developing a cohesive partnership with each other, coordinating the curriculum which extends beyond Montessori, and managing the day-to-day operational activities of the classroom. Teachers must understand children's cognitive, social, emotional and physical development in order to ensure a safe and stimulating classroom environment where children can independently engage and follow their intrinsic motivation for success. The Teacher must be skilled in communicating with both children and adults respectfully, effectively observe and prepare to develop each child's individual lesson plan , and resource and support parents as partners.
Members of our faculty engage in providing demonstration training videos for self study and support of others working in the field. Additionally, teams guide parents via monthly and/or quarterly Parent Teacher Community Meetings during which time they share developmental trends and help guide families at home. Opportunities exist for supporting weekly Parent Guidance classes and intro's to the RIE and Montessori models of education for families outside the MMPSchool community. The demonstration facility which provides childcare services is available daily 8am-3pm (limited 4pm extension) which affords the teaching team leadership opportunities, afternoon prep time, team meetings, parent communication, and curriculum development.
Salary dependent on education and experience (staring $18 - $25/hour) with compensation above industry standards.
Duties

• Collaborate to provide an environment that blends home and school life by providing a community where children explore, bake, garden, learn, play, and learn to care for themselves and others respectfully.
• Coordinate and implement educational curriculum by developing classroom activities based on developmentally appropriate practices and early learning standards
• Lead by example; encourage teaching team success through modeling and coaching.
• Plan individual and group age-appropriate activities to actively engage children and encourage social, cognitive and emotional growth.
• Maintain frequent communications with parents through informal discussions, progress reports, and parent-teacher conferences.
• Ensure all center policies and state regulations are met.
• Ensure a healthy classroom environment – including maintaining appropriate hygiene and cleanliness standards and safety and security of children
• Maintain accurate records, forms and files.
• Maintain personal professional development plan to ensure continuous quality improvement.

Requirements

• Minimum of 2 years of professional child care or related experience.
• Meet ABC state training requirements
• Strong oral and written communication skills and basic computer skills.
• High energy and the ability to work well with others (staff, children, and parents) and to foster a team environment.
• A strong understanding of human development.
• Infant/child CPR and First Aid certification (or ability to obtain within 90 days of employment).
• Must clear full background check and must pass health screening.
• Requirements include the ability to take frequent walks, use hands and fingers, handle objects, tools or controls, talk to and hear voices at many levels. May also be required to kneel, bend, squat or crawl.
• Excellent leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

Nice To Haves

• Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood education or related field of study.
• Knowledge and/or experience in Montessori, RIE, Reggio or Pikler models.
• Interest in Culinary Arts, Gardening, Music, Art, or Science
• Bilingual

Benefits

• Signing bonus (after 90 days)
• Paid holidays and accrued vacation (up to 5 weeks)
• Paid professional training and certification
• Reduced childcare tuition (subject to enrollment availability)
• Set schedule Monday-Friday 7:30a-4:30p
• Matching Simple IRA
• Annual Teacher Bonus
• Set annual enrollment (not open enrollment - class lists provided each June)