Lead Guide/Teacher Substitute

Substitutes:  Lead Primary Guide/Teacher at our Alder Montessori School

 Are you a new or an experienced Primary Montessori Guide who who loves being in Montessori primary classroom,  works with a collaborative approach, is committed to equity, and genuinely enjoys people (young children and adults)?  Do your eyes light up when every young child enters their classroom.  Are you comfortable or confident in including and supporting young children who may  have delays or disabilities within a Montessori classroom. Are you interested in occasional or a longer term substitute position.   

We are seeking qualified substitutes for a Lead Primary Montessori Guide at our Alder Montessori School which provides high-quality Montessori early childhood education free of cost to low-Income children and families. Alder Montessori is co-located at Alder Elementary School, within the Reynolds School District, and serves children ages 3-5 within our two multi-age classrooms. Most of our children enter as English language learners, with Spanish as the primary language.  A successful candidate will be “We focused”, bring dependability, creativity, joy, positive enthusiasm, professionalism and a dedication to equity and high-quality Montessori early childhood education and qualify as ORO Step 7.5 or higher.

Candidates must either have a Montessori Primary Diploma/Certificate OR be actively enrolled in AMI Primary Montessori Training Program at Montessori Northwest.  

The substitute Guide will be responsible for presenting and integrating primary (Preschool) curriculum for students, record and data management in Transparent Classroom, and depending on length of substitute role - complete student formative assessments.  The Guide works in partnership with the classroom assistants to provide lessons and care for the children's educational and personal needs.  Demonstrated ability to treat children and adults with respect, kindness and dignity in all situations and work collaboratively to integrate and implement adaptive services and approaches into day to day work and the physical space as recommended by special education peers.  

Substitute Placements can range from occasional school days (8:30am-4:30pm) to cover staff absences, or multiple month positions which may be half-days (morning work period & lunch), full days (8:30 am - 4:30 pm),  and 3-5 days per week.  In the multiple month Guide/Teacher option, the Guide will focus primarily on student observation, planning, providing and documenting student lessons, and completing formative assessments.  Classroom leadership and management will be provided by the our experienced and trained Primary Classroom Assistant. 

Qualifications:

Experience Required: 1 or more years as lead Montessori primary Guide/Teacher or 2 or more years as a lead preschool teacher (if enrolled in Montessori training).

Education Required:  1) AMI Montessori primary teaching diploma. & 2) Associates or BA  degree in a relevant field of study and currently enrolled in Montessori NW Primary Guide training program. 

Strong Preference & Higher Pay Rate for Candidates with one or more of the Following Qualifications/Experience:

• Bilingual – Spanish and English, or bilingual in other language relevant for our student community. 
  
• 3 or more years as a lead Montessori primary Guide/Teacher

• Master’s degree in early childhood education or special education
  

Skills, Knowledge and/or Abilities Required:

• Skills to motivate students, communicate with individuals from varied educational and cultural backgrounds, direct support personnel, evaluate performance.
• Knowledge of age-appropriate teaching methods, Montessori method, and individualized student assessments and education planning.
• Ability to be self-aware of their facial expressions, words, tone and body language and bring a consistent kid & parent positive perspective and presence into the sacred joyous space of a classroom.  
• Strong personal and classroom organizational skills, attention to detail and a sense of collaboration.
• Strong verbal communication skills and self awareness with the ability to work within a diverse team of people, especially very young children and their parents with tact, diplomacy, and compassion. 
• Reliable, consistent and dependable. 
• Ability to be tolerant of children's frequent noises of various pitches and tones as well as odors of extreme variants. 
• Abilities to perform a variety of specialized and responsible tasks, maintain records, establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, parents/guardians, other school personnel, meet schedules and deadlines.
• Significant physical abilities include mobility in the classroom, lifting/carrying, reaching/handling, talking/hearing conversations, near/far visual acuity/depth perception/accommodation/field of vision.

This position requires Oregon Fingerprint and Criminal Check clearance, First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certificate and additional training that the successful candidate will need to complete upon hire and prior to teaching in our classroom. 

Compensation and Benefits: This is a temporary hourly professional position. The hourly wage for this hiring range for this position is $30-$33 per hour depending on education, experience and language fluency. Long-term substitutes (2 months or more 4-5 days per week) may be eligible for some employee benefits.  

AEME is a young non-profit which is poised to soon open new tuition free Montessori early childhood education programs to neighborhoods within the Portland Metro community.  The position’s schedule is based around our partner school districts’ calendar (Reynolds School District). 

AEME Is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We value a diverse workforce to attain our mission and support our families.