The Opportunity: Richmond Montessori School
For over fifty five years Richmond Montessori School (RMS) has remained dedicated to providing an authentic Montessori education in a student-centered environment and has remained true to the mission of its founders and the principles of Dr. Maria Montessori. RMS is a non-profit 501(c)(3) independent school dual-accredited by the American Montessori Society and the Virginia Association of Independent Schools. The school serves approximately 310 students ages 18 months to 14 years on two adjacent campuses, which incorporate eleven acres of beautiful green space, located in the west end of Richmond, Virginia. The RMS team includes a diverse group of passionate faculty and staff, fully committed to our core values of Character, Community, Authenticity, Respect and Excellence.
The RMS Culture
The RMS culture supports:
- Continuous learning through school sponsored professional development
- Benefits package that includes medical & dental insurance, retirement plan & matching program, vacation & sick time, paid winter and spring breaks & government holidays, short-term disability insurance, life and AD&D insurance, & an employee assistance program
- Myriad of opportunities for networking with regional, state, & national educational associations
- Tuition reduction & program discounts for staff children admitted in our programs
Performance Objectives
Our lead teachers are responsible for all aspects of the educational advancement for the students under their charge utilizing the best principles based in the Montessori tradition of education. The teacher demonstrates knowledge and practice of the core Montessori philosophy of respect for the individual learner, preparation of the environment, fostering independence, order, & concentration in the student, respect for sensitive periods, and recognizing the importance of intrinsic motivation and the absorbent mind.
Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do on the middle school team. Together, we strive to create a supportive and welcoming environment where every member plays a vital role in shaping our students' educational journey.
The Position: Principal Responsibilities
- Responsible for curriculum development, lesson planning, and delivery based on Montessori philosophy and best pedagogical practices for students, including: Spanish IA, Spanish IIB, Montessori Model UN, and Seminar.
- Supports the developmental social-emotional needs of each student, utilizing appropriate support personnel.
- Guides students’ processes of discovery and understanding, promoting meta-cognitive skills like reflective thinking and problem-solving.
- Designs, adapts, and implements curriculum and instruction aligned with the school’s mission, values, and standards.
- Ensures classroom environment, lessons, and materials foster diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
- Serves as a Middle School Advisory Group leader.
- Plans and participates in community-wide trips and field studies, including overnight stays twice yearly.
- Attends team, faculty, and professional development meetings, including the end-of-year Summer Institute if assigned.
- Creates a positive environment where all students feel known and valued.
- Assesses student progress using diverse formal and informal methods, providing timely feedback in alignment with Montessori practices.
- Supports student behavior within Positive Discipline guidelines and maintains respectful communication with parents/guardians through conferences and correspondence.
- Engages in ongoing professional growth and development practices, participating in school committees and events to support students and the school’s mission.
- Supports the work of the Head of School and senior leadership, performing additional assigned duties.
- Reports to: Director of Middle School Education
This job description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time at the discretion of the Head of School.
Requirements
- AMS or AMI Secondary Credential
- A commitment to best practices in Montessori education Excellent classroom management skills
- A clear commitment to diversity, community, and inclusion in school communities, as expressed in RMS’s diversity mission statement
- Personal traits and communication style that nurture the growth of children
- Passion and joy for working with young people and an enthusiasm for learning
- An agile, growth mindset and a solid work ethic and Works cooperatively with adults and is a collaborative team player
- Solutions driven with the capacity to manage ambiguity
- Comfort with using technology daily and a willingness to learn and navigate specific platforms, such as Google and student information systems. Experience with Veracross is a plus.
- Certifications, Licenses, or Registrations: First Aid/CPR and MAT certifications required (school will sponsor)
Position Classification
- Full-time, 10-month, faculty, salaried exempt
- The position begins on August 14, 2024
- Hours: 8am-3:30pm M-F, with possible additional hours as needed to fulfill after-school responsibilities as assigned
How to Apply
Please submit a letter of interest, resume including three references, and an Employment Application to careers@richmont.org.
Compensation is commensurate with experience and includes a competitive benefits package.