Career Center

The following outline is intended to be a list of basic responsibilities for the Lead Primary Teacher position at MSE. Duties include but are not limited to the written contents of this document.

JOB TITLE: Lead Primary Teacher

FTE: 1.0

FLSA: Exempt

DEPARTMENT: Education

REPORTS TO: Dean of Education

SUPERVISES: Assistant Teacher(s)

Job Summary

Montessori School of Evergreen’s mission is to ignite a lifelong love of learning within each student. We provide meaningful experiences that fully engage young minds in the pursuit of academic excellence, self-reliance and the determination to contribute to our rapidly changing community and world.

A Lead Teacher leads their classroom and works closely with, if any, the Assistant Teacher(s). A Lead Teacher is professionally trained in education, which includes Montessori certification or relevant Masters Degree. This is necessary preparation as s/he shares classroom responsibilities under the direction of the supervisor.

MSE is seeking a highly qualified and Montessori certified Lead Teacher to join our Primary Team, working with students 3-6 years old. Teachers are responsible for creating a classroom and student experience that embodies the MSE mission. The Lead Teacher plans and implements all academic and organizational aspects of the classroom. These responsibilities include overseeing their Assistant Teacher, planning curriculum, teaching a variety of subjects, developing and participating in classroom management plans, observing and assessing student progress, communicating clearly and consistently with parents, and working to meet the academic, social, and emotional needs of the students. Strong communication skills, the desire to work collaboratively as part of a team, take part in all aspects of the program including trips with students, and the ability and interest to integrate curriculum across subject areas are a must as well. The successful candidate will join a team that is well established.

Responsibilities 

Learning Environment

Creates a nurturing, respectful, and safe learning environment (together with the Lead Teachers) that responds to the needs of each student.

1. Maintains the curriculum in coordination with the other program level Lead Teachers and periodically Leads in other levels as well as in accordance with Montessori School of Evergreen’s curriculum guidelines and best practices.
2. Develops and shares classroom activities with the student population as well as fellow Lead Teachers to meet developmental and academic objectives. 
3. Seeks out feedback from fellow teachers, Director, and Specialists to improve the classroom environment.
4. Develops, maintains, and implements a classroom maintenance schedule with fellow Lead Teachers, including but not limited to items such as cleaning the shelves and materials and repairing materials.
5. Plans, coordinates, and communicates about all class events; maintains MSE traditions and, when appropriate, proposes new programs . 
6. Develops and consistently maintains an effective record keeping system for the classroom and students.
7. Maintains a positive attitude and open communication with fellow teachers at all levels within the MSE Community. 
8. Develops a plan with fellow teachers for sharing class preparatory responsibilities.
9. Assists students in the transition to, and operation within Co-curricular classes and other school programs, including supervision of students for off campus activities 
10. Uses constructive feedback from Director, Specialists as well as other teachers to improve teaching, curriculum, classroom environment, and address individual student needs.

Student and Family Support

1. Ensures that students are meeting developmental level expectations and to collaborate with parents and Lead Teachers to help increase student achievement.
2. Leads parent-teacher conferences three times a year to provide feedback on students’ developmental progress. 
3. Records parent conferences and provides detailed notes to the Division Director in a timely fashion. 
4. Prepares necessary level specific progress reports for all children in the classroom by the necessary due date. 
5. Participates in discussion with fellow Lead Teachers, Division Director and other classroom faculty regarding the successful transition of children from level to level. 
6. Engages in Child Study (Learning Resource Team) process by contributing information on child development and behavior.
7. Carries out appropriate and positive discipline, follows up needs with School Counselor and Director.

Professional and Personal Growth

Models lifelong-learning and meets MSE professional development requirements.

1. Attends and reports on at least two professional development workshops inside or outside of school. Workshops may include the yearly area Montessori association conference and/or the AMS Conference. All requests for time off should be placed with your supervisor in a timely manner.
2. Creates yearly professional and personal goals to be discussed with the Director.

Administrative

Assist in the efficient and effective management of the School.

1. Demonstrates professionalism in every aspect of the job and adheres to AMS guidelines and professional standards. Practices the use of confidentiality in all situations as outlined in the MSE Employee Handbook.
2. Follows protocols for managing information (i.e. attendance) and completing requests (i.e. purchase orders, supplies, personal days), etc., as further detailed in the MSE Employee Handbook.
3. Meets all deadlines around ordering, report cards, etc. 
4. Attends Division meetings and all faculty meetings.
5. Joins a school committee.
6. Maintains open communication with Administration and colleagues.
7. Voices concerns in a timely and positive manner when seeking help from Administration.
8. Maintains and updates their staff file with all necessary paperwork for licensing and job requirements.

Qualifications of prefered candidates:

• BA/BS degree required and MA degree preferred
• AMS/MACTE certification in Primary
• Lead teacher experience preferred
• Commitment to, and interest in, the Montessori philosophy
• AMS/AMI assistant teaching credential or matriculating Montessori training program students encouraged to apply
• Ability to work collaboratively with faculty to enhance curriculum and community
• Strong ability to multi-task and keep to a schedule
• Commitment to professional development and best practices in education
• Education experience in a variety of instructional methods
• Understanding multi-age learning environments
• Commitment to meeting the needs of each child