Primary Lead Guide

Ithaca Montessori School Mission Statement:

We nurture the spirit of each child through meaningful connections with families and our dedication to the principles of Montessori education.

Values:

Love, Respect, Integrity, Peace, Excellence

The Primary Lead Guide position at Ithaca Montessori School (IMS) requires love, patience, and respect for children. Lead guides must have the ability to encourage children to be independent and peaceful members of their school community. The Primary Lead Guide encourages the exploration of the environment through planning and direct instruction to children in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth following the philosophies of Maria Montessori. The Primary Lead Guide models the IMS Mission and Values and Montessori principles for their Assistant Guides as well as the children, families, and IMS community.

Basic Qualifications:

• AMS or MACTE Accredited Montessori Early Childhood Certification (must have)
• Education and Experience to meet the New York State Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) Lead of Group Requirements as follows:
• Associate’s Degree or Bachelor's in Early Childhood, Child Development, or related field OR
• Child Development Associate (CDA) credential with a minimum of one year of direct experience caring for children OR
• Nine college credits in Early Childhood, Child Development, or a related field with a plan of study leading to a CDA credential or Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood, Child Development, or a related field with a minimum of two years of direct experience working with children.
• Pass all background checks required by OCFS.
• Meets school/state health requirements, including TB tests, immunizations, and physicals.
• Able to lift 50 pounds.
• Able to squat, stand, and sit for 2 hours or more at a time.

Schedule and Hours:

Start Date: August 12, 2024

Hours: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm, Monday-Friday

IMS is a 12-month program

Duties & Responsibilities:

• General:
• Arrive promptly on a daily basis to prepare the classroom for the children’s arrival.
• Be responsible for the daily supervision of assistant teachers in the classroom.
• Be responsible for any school keys assigned, reporting their loss immediately to the administration.
• Understand and promote the school’s mission, purposes, objectives, and policies to families in a positive and supportive manner.
• Be responsible for the welfare, safety, and educational achievements of students.
• Attend appropriate Staff, Level, and Classroom Meetings, Professional Development Sessions, Community Events, and Parent Education Nights.
• Maintaining an ongoing 30 hours of professional development every two years in accordance with OCFS regulations.
• Attend and participate in the All Staff Retreat and Set-Up Week
• Complete and maintain all records, reports, evaluations, and student records in a timely manner.
• Perform all cleaning tasks required to promote a clean and healthy learning environment.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Curriculum:
  • Establish an academic plan and submit it to the Education Director for review.
  • Prepare a weekly schedule and lesson plans that correspond with the academic plan.
  • Prepare and maintain the classroom environment, ensuring selves are appropriately stocked with materials and supplies, to allow children to access the prepared environment easily.
  • Conduct regular, ongoing observations of the children to gather and record important information about each child's development and to serve as a tool for support and planning.
  • Create supplemental materials for the classroom as necessary to provide extensions and variations to curriculum areas. 
  • Maintain a clean, orderly, and attractive Montessori environment including upkeep and inventory of materials.
• Communication:
  • Check the classroom email account daily and respond within 24 hours to all necessary communications.
  • Send a weekly recap and update on Transparent Classroom to all IMS families in the classroom.
  • Prepare bi-annual parent-teacher conference reports and hold conferences with families based on the school calendar.
  • Communicate any developmental, health, or safety concerns regarding children to the Program Director and/or Education Director.
  • Communicate professionally and in a timely manner with parents, staff, and administration.
  • Call to the attention of the Program Director any concerns of IMS families.
• Safety:
  • Understand and ensure compliance with all OCFS regulations, including ensuring that children are supervised at all times, that proper ratios of staff to children are maintained at all times, and that children are signed in and out of the school program as they arrive and depart.
  • Ensure children are released only to individuals designated and authorized to transport.
  • Adhere to all IMS emergency and evacuation procedures in the event of an emergency.

Benefits:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance are available
• Life Insurance
• Simple IRA with employer match
• Paid holidays and school recesses
• Opportunities for professional development

Application Information

Please send cover letters, resumes, and two professional references to Pamela Weatherby at pam@ithacamontessori.org