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Job Description - Teacher
Primary
Revised April 19, 2024
White Rock Montessori is committed to fostering a challenging educational environment where each child grows academically, emotionally, physically, and socially, aligning with Dr. Maria Montessori’s principles. The school promotes a partnership among child, parent, and teacher, aiming to instill personal and social responsibility.
Statement of Purpose
The administration, faculty, and staff collectively uphold the school's mission, ensuring a clean, safe, and stimulating environment. Responsibilities include providing an atmosphere conducive to learning, problem-solving, skill development, and respect for the dignity of individuals.
Fair Labor Standards Act (FSLA) Exempt/Non-Exempt Status: Exempt
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in an education or related field
- MACTE Montessori credential required, AMS credential preferred
- Teaching experience desirable, preferably 3 years of experience
- Demonstrated effectiveness in working with young children
Skills & Competencies
- Flexibility & Adaptability: Effectively manage various demands and adjust to new situations.
- Communication: Strong skills in clearly and professionally articulating information to parents and colleagues, both verbally and in writing.
- Organizational Skills: Effectively manage classroom activities and administrative responsibilities with high organization.
- Creativity & Innovation: Employ innovative approaches in classroom practices to enhance learning experiences.
- Positive Discipline: Understand and commit to ongoing education in Positive Discipline methods.
- Work Ethic: Complete responsibilities diligently and on time.
- Montessori Education: Commit to the principles of Montessori education, ensuring authentic learning experiences.
- Astute observer and detail-oriented: Keep a keen eye on elements that contribute to the overall success of classroom management and student learning.
Hours of Employment
- 180 Day contract, 7:45 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, according to
school calendar and teacher contract.
- Run a day camp class for at least one week during the Summer
- Expected to attend designated school functions and after-hours meetings and events.
- Expected to attend faculty meetings/professional development sessions every other week throughout the school year
Duties and Responsibilities
- The classroom teachers are responsible for the preparation, maintenance, and enrichment of the Montessori environment to which they are assigned by the school.
- Working collaboratively as a teaching team, the classroom teachers will ensure the classroom is well-equipped with all beautiful, fully intact, necessary materials to implement curriculum and to meet holistic needs of children. In this aim, they will:
- Take responsibility with an eye for beauty and detail for cleanliness, order, and maintenance of the Montessori materials, fixtures, and furniture within the classroom environment.
- Ensure all outdoor areas, including the classroom patio and playground, are properly maintained and beautiful as an extension of the classroom environment.
- Rotate materials, artwork, and other classroom objects monthly according to the Primary Cultural Curriculum Calendar.
- Submit Purchase Requisition Forms for any materials needed to the Director and Lower School Director to obtain proper approval before making any classroom purchases. Receipts shall be submitted along with Expense Reimbursement Forms.
- Make new materials as needed, offering copies, demonstrations, or templates to the teaching team in the other Primary class as appropriate.
- Share upkeep of public areas of the school, including hallways, kitchen area, lunch racks, bathrooms, and coat cubbies.
- Report any repairs and/or safety hazards promptly by filling out a Facilities Work Order request.
- At the close of the year, assist, as required, in closing the environment and cleaning the rest of the school as outlined in the Personnel Manual. If necessary, assist in the packing and relocation of materials, furniture, and fixtures.
- Be responsible for making sure doors, windows, and lights of the environment are secured and the thermostat is properly set at the close of each day. If the last to leave the building, make sure the security alarm is engaged.
- The classroom teachers will embrace White Rock Montessori’s enriched curriculum through direct teaching and/or supporting other teachers in all areas, including music/music appreciation, outdoor games/exercises for physical development, art/art appreciation, foreign language, and cultural subjects.
Record Keeping/Evaluation
- Working collaboratively as a teaching team, the classroom teachers will meet regularly to discuss student progress, plan lessons, and keep accurate records of each student’s growth and progress.
- Daily attendance records, including tardies, shall be kept through Montessori Compass.
- The classroom teachers will prepare two yearly progress reports and upload them to Montessori Compass after peer review. After each completing each conference cycle, they will type their conference notes into Montessori Compass and share them with the Director.
- The classroom teachers will consider parents to be partners in the education of their child(ren) and communicate with them on an ongoing basis to discuss the child(ren)’s progress and needs.
- The classroom teachers will apprise the Director of all significant communications with parents regarding children’s progress, especially when a problem has been discussed.
- Any behavioral concerns that warrant a Behavior Incident Report will be communicated directly with the parent via phone by the classroom teacher who witnessed the incident. Behavior Incident Reports are for internal use and will not be shared with parents.
- Physical Injury Reports will be completed promptly and the information will be communicated directly with the parent via phone by the classroom teacher who witnessed the incident as soon as possible.
- The classroom teachers will complete an Academic Needs Report for any student who requires one if such a need arises.
- The classroom teachers will attend all Student Support meetings, including updates. They will be responsible for bringing pertinent data, including observations, to contribute meaningfully to the meeting(s).
Program/Class Management
To provide children with the structure and support they need to thrive, the classroom teachers will:
- Set ground rules and be consistent in implementing them.
- At the request of the Admission Director, interview new students before enrollment.
- Set goals for students and have clear expectations/work plans for each child.
- Give timely, well-planned lessons as indicated by careful observation of the children
daily.
- Take care that each student’s work is observed or reviewed for mastery at the appropriate point before the child is invited to receive the next lesson.
- Recommend to the Director students who would benefit from further observations and/or testing for suspected social, emotional, physical, speech, or learning differences.
- Plan instructive, interesting group time each day and promote community in the classroom by providing opportunities for group discussions, acknowledgments,
and decision-making each day. Children should not be required to sit in groups for excessive periods.
- Treat each child with the utmost respect at all times, being careful to speak softly
and to phrase speech in a positive manner.
- Choose words simply and carefully, not speaking in excess.
Health/Safety
The classroom teachers will:
- Be aware of appropriate health and safety procedures, including drill protocols and evacuation maps, as outlined in the Personnel Manual and Emergency Preparedness Plan.
- Complete all required health and safety trainings (including but not limited to CPR, First Aid, and Child Abuse and Neglect) as outlined in the Personnel Manual.
- Keep a current copy of the classroom OTC medication chart and allergy information posted in the classroom next to the first aid kit, but in a private space to ensure confidentiality.
Professional Growth
The classroom teachers will:
- Maintain an attitude of lifelong learning.
- Be continually well-read in Montessori education and philosophy.
- Be well-informed in the field of early childhood education, and make every effort to stay current in the field.
- Attend professional meetings and workshops whenever feasible.
- Attend American Montessori Society or Association Montessori Internationale seminars and conferences whenever possible.
- Receive the required number of hours of continuing education each year as outlined in the Personnel Manual.
Responsibility to the School Community
The classroom teachers will:
- Whenever two or more teachers are working in the same classroom, have regularly scheduled weekly meetings to evaluate the progress of students and classroom activities and to plan the curriculum for the following week.
- Attire should be modest, professional, and functional, as outlined in the Personnel Manual.
- Make every effort to be a positive member of the team. Avoid negative conversations and gossip.
- Work respectfully and in harmony with all other faculty and staff members. Be courteous at all times.
- Maintain confidentiality of children, parents, and fellow staff members.
- Maintain a professional attitude and loyalty to the school at all times.
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