Montessori Certified Toddler Lead Teacher

Salary: $35,000 base salary with stepped increases based on education and experience. $5,000 bonus for Montessori certification or *pursuit of Montessori certification. Benefits: 50% tuition remission & 50% contribution to group health insurance.

1. General Position Summary

The Toddler Lead Teacher is a friendly, innovative, energetic individual dedicated to providing a high-fidelity Montessori environment for children 18 months to three years old. Maintaining an open, loving, and cooperative environment for each child and encouraging families to be actively involved in their education are all part of the job of a Toddler Lead Teacher. The teacher is a representative and advocates for the child and Montessori education to parents and the community. They should clearly communicate issues in the child's best interest in keeping with Montessori philosophy.

2. Qualifications
   Minimum Education/Certification:

• Montessori Toddler certification (AMS, AMI, or MACTE) required 
• Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field preferred
• Pediatric First Aid/CPR or willingness to obtain certification upon hire
• Must pass a background check

   Essential Characteristics:

• Meet the child's needs physically, socially, and emotionally.
• Maintain an open, loving, and cooperative environment for all children.
• Have an inherent love for this stage of development.
• Possess the ability to create and implement specific lessons to meet the children's varying needs.
• Be a strong model for volunteers and others in the classroom and school community.

   Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Demonstrated proficiency in working effectively and positively with a variety of people.
• Ability to creatively problem solve.
• Ability to counsel children and parents.
• Ability to use a computer for record-keeping and communicating with stakeholders.
• Ability to organize materials and coordinate plans with assistants, teaching team, and administrators.

 
3. Working Conditions

    Physical Demands:
    Ability to think clearly and act respectfully with children, parents, and coworkers. Must be able to sit on the floor, walk, reach, climb, stoop, kneel and lift to 30 pounds.
    Environment:
    Working in a school environment while dealing daily with children, coworkers, administration, parents, volunteers, and parents.

4. Terms of Employment
    Number of Days for Position: 184 days 8:00 am - 4:00 pm, some evening and weekend events
    Salary is based on experience and qualifications.

5. Essential Responsibilities:

• Create, design, and develop the prepared environment implementing the Montessori Toddler curriculum according to the specifics provided by the school.
• Develop and implement lesson plans to meet the needs of each child enrolled in the classroom.
• Give lessons one-on-one or group basis and assist students who may have trouble grasping concepts.
• Conduct observations and assessments on students to determine academic needs and provide a rich and challenging environment.
• Utilize provided planning time to meet with parents, create lesson plans, change materials, observe specials and after-school programs to support children from the classroom, meet with the teaching team to discuss best practices, and complete record keeping.
• Collaborate with Early Childhood teachers to ensure that children are equipped to successfully transition to Pre-K3 by the time they leave the Toddler level.
• Partner and communicate effectively with the parents, discussing their children's progress via day-to-day interactions, class email updates, and conferences. 
• Assume significant responsibility for maintaining a child until the conclusion of the toddler program.
• Communicate with the children using language and tone of voice that is authentic, natural, patient, and, most importantly, kind.
• Promote feelings of security and trust in the children by encouraging and supporting them when necessary through activities and practical life skills.
• Respond quickly and in a soothing fashion to the distressed student and ensure they are immediately comforted.
• Follow the children's and the classroom's energy rather than conforming to a strict schedule designed by the adult. 
• Oversee and engage children during recess; ensure that activities are stimulating, age-appropriate, and safe.
• Maintain a positive work environment among all staff that is professional, kind, and inclusive. 
• Guide the teaching team in understanding the nuances of childhood development, the prepared environment, and how to partner with colleagues and parents.
• Participate in weekly team meetings that follow an agenda of school/class updates, child-specific information, discussion of materials and rotating materials, and additional training or resources for colleagues.
  
• Embrace continuous learning by utilizing professional development days and funds to enrich practice.
• Embody the Waco Montessori School mission.

6. Communication

• Facilitate a respectful environment for children and adults by advocating conflict resolution and Grace and Courtesy Lessons.
• Work to develop close and effective relationships with families, including opportunities to discuss and understand the child's progress.
• Schedule and work with other colleagues to facilitate parent and community events.

7. Professional Responsibilities

• Participate in professional activities designated by the school administration, including in-service training, parent events, committees, staff meetings, etc.
• Maintain a neat, well-organized, and attractive prepared environment consistent with Montessori pedagogy.
• Participate in the admission process by speaking with prospective families and meeting prospective students as requested by the administration.
• Other duties as assigned.

6. Confidentiality
This position will have access to and knowledge of personal information for students and their families.