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.
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.
The Position: Principal Responsibilities
- Planning, preparing, and delivering all subject areas of a lead teacher position (practical life, sensorial, language arts, math, geography, and cultural studies).
- Supporting the developmental social-emotional needs of each student as necessary and with the aid of appropriate support personnel.
- Participating in level and faculty meetings and all-school professional development meetings, including the Summer Institute at the end of the school year, if assigned
- Creating a positive environment in which all students feel known and valued
- Collaborating with colleagues to design meaningful learning experiences and support one another
- Assessing student progress using a variety of formal and informal data collection tools and methods aligned with Montessori practices and providing feedback in a timely manner.
- Supporting student social development and behavior in alignment with Positive Discipline guidelines.
- Fostering communication and a respectful partnership with parents/guardians in conferences, during phone calls, and through written correspondence
- Communicating in a timely and efficient manner with parents, students, and colleagues
- Engaging in continuing professional growth and development practices
- Participating in the life of the school through committee work and regular presence at major events as a means of supporting the students and the mission of the school
- Reports to: Director of Early Childhood 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 teaching credential to work with children 3-6 years of age
- Bachelor’s degree preferred
- 3-5 years of teaching experience preferred
- A commitment to best practices in Montessori education
- Passion and joy for working with primary-aged children and an enthusiasm for learning
- 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
- An agile, growth mindset and a solid work ethic
- 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.
- 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.