Early Childhood Director

American Montessori Society Inc; Annandale (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

American Montessori Society Inc seeks an Early Childhood Director to lead the Preprimary and Primary programs with responsibility for students, faculty, programs, and parent relations. The director reports to the Head of School and helps shape an exciting and creative future while building a tradition of success and excellence.

The role oversees mission alignment, daily operations, curriculum and pedagogy, faculty development, admissions, and family relations, ensuring a safe climate, AMS/VAIS

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree is required.
• 5 – 10 years’ experience as a lead teacher.
• Montessori Credential in Program Level recommended.
• Proven success working collaboratively in educational leadership.
• Dynamic instructional leader with a solid understanding of the developmental and curricular needs of the program level.
• Outstanding leadership skills.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and presentation skills.
• Strategic thinker and empathetic problem solver.
• Capacity for strategic thinking with the ability to look to the future, anticipate needs, develop new initiatives, and implement short- and long-term plans.
• Make impromptu classroom visits and engage teachers in conversation about their practice.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the admission process of applicants for enrollment.
• Collaborate with the admissions team on admissions and retention of mission appropriate students.
• Ability to share the school’s philosophy and practice with prospective families.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Head of School.
• Regularly attend conferences and other professional development events to remain current with industry trends and best practices.
• Facilitate parent education programs.
• Work with the advancement team on areas of fundraising that directly impact the division.
• Work collaboratively with the Director of Auxiliary Programs for the curricular and extra-curricular activity programs of the program level.
• Assist in the planning and the presentation of school assemblies and programs.
• Attend appropriate school functions, including evening and weekend events.

Education

Bachelor’s degree is required

Montessori Credential in Program Level recommended

Job description

The Early Childhood Director is the educational and administrative leader of the Preprimary and Primary program levels with responsibility for the students, faculty, programs, and parent relations. The two program directors (Early Childhood & Elementary/Middle School) report directly to the Head of School and form the core of the academic administrative team. The Early Childhood Director will have the opportunity to help shape an exciting and creative future for the program while building upon a tradition of success and excellence. The Early Childhood Director enjoys the support and benefits of working with an experienced, talented, cohesive, and dedicated faculty.

Mission and Leadership

• Maintain congruence between the school’s board-approved mission statement and all activities of the program level.
• Be a visible presence in all areas of the school.
• Advocate for the program level while working collaboratively within the school’s leadership team to establish and execute broader institutional goals.
• Provide an orderly, controlled Montessori environment in which learning can take place in a school climate that is supportive and reflects high morale.
• Make recommendations to the Head of School regarding the hiring and retention needs, and the assignment of faculty.
• Keep the Head of School informed of the general programs, activities, and concerns of the program level.
• Agree and support the mission, vision, and core values of the school.
• Promote a school climate that is safe, supports learning, and emphasizes character development.
• Develop close relationships with families and actively seek resolution of routine and unique challenges as they arise.
• Communicate proactively with students, parents, faculty, and staff.
• Ensure a smooth student and family transition between program levels.
• Create and embrace meaningful connections with families.
• Commit to being visible and accessible to all, including faculty, staff, students, parents, alumni, and visitors to campus.
• Meet and coordinate with the Elementary & Middle School Director on a regular basis to ensure mission clarity and consistency across programs.

Operational

• Act as the educational leader of the program level, responsible for its day-to-day operation.
• Ensure compliance with legal requirements of government regulations and agencies, and maintain the educational standards established by the state and by those agencies that examine and accredit the school.
• Oversee the coordination of the co-curricular and extra-curricular activity programs, including the planning and the presentation of assemblies and programs.
• Develop instructional and co-curricular schedules.
• Support the budgeting process by determining and monitoring the program levels spending/budget.
• Experience related to compliance with AMS and VAIS accreditation organizations.

Curriculum and Pedagogy

• Be knowledgeable and able to articulate advances and trends in Montessori pedagogy and education.
• Review and evaluate the academic programs, including horizontal and vertical curricular flow.
• Ensure consistency in programming across the levels and vertically in coordination with other Directors.
• Engage with research and innovation about the future of education.

Faculty

• Observe, supervise, and evaluate the faculty.
• Establish programs for the professional development training and evaluation of classroom teachers.
• Serve as a consultant to teachers in matters of classroom management, teaching methods, and general school procedures.
• Ensure that teachers are familiar with and adhere to school policies in all areas of the school’s operation.
• Strive for unity, harmony, and cooperation through tact, helpfulness, respect, and the recognition of individual differences and the special abilities and strengths of each teacher.
• Conduct regular meetings with faculty that address routine school matters and explore issues of educational and philosophical interest and concern.
• Coach faculty through observation, evaluation, growth goals, and opportunities for professional development.
• Foster a professional, respectful, and appreciative environment that values the contributions of all team members.
• Build trusting relationships with faculty and staff, identifying their needs and strengths, and supporting their work.
• Work with Human Resources to interview and recommend prospective teaching candidates to the Head of School.
• Consistently assess where teachers are, what they need to move forward, and how to allocate resources to meet those needs.
• Supervise enrichment teachers who teach across program levels.

Students

• Be aware of the educational, physical, social, and psychological needs of the school community and develop plans for meeting those needs.
• Oversee Transparent Classroom used by teachers in measuring student achievement.
• Center the best interests of students in every decision and interaction.
• Observe and evaluate individual students displaying academic difficulties and collaborate with the learning support team to assess their learning strengths and challenges.
• Collaborate with the student support team to promote an integrated approach to learning support.
• Become immersed in student life and get to know students well.
• Follow child safety and reporting requirements in the case of suspected child abuse or neglect.
• Work with professionals outside the school to support students.
• Review class placement at the end of the year to maintain healthy and balanced classrooms.
• Possess a deep understanding of human development, including a particularly strong understanding of their intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development.
• Relish the joys and challenges of working with students

Admissions

• Assist in the admission process of applicants for enrollment.
• Collaborate with the admissions team on admissions and retention of mission appropriate students.
• Ability to share the school’s philosophy and practice with prospective families.

Other Duties or Responsibilities

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Head of School.
• Regularly attend conferences and other professional development events to remain current with industry trends and best practices.
• Facilitate parent education programs.
• Work with the advancement team on areas of fundraising that directly impact the division.
• Work collaboratively with the Director of Auxiliary Programs for the curricular and extra-curricular activity programs of the program level.
• Assist in the planning and the presentation of school assemblies and programs.
• Attend appropriate school functions, including evening and weekend events.

Qualification and Skills Requirements

• Montessori Credential in Program Level recommended
• Bachelor’s degree is required
• 5 – 10 years’ experience as a lead teacher
• Proven success working collaboratively in educational leadership.
• Dynamic instructional leader with a solid understanding of the developmental and curricular needs of students of the program level.
• Outstanding leadership skills.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and presentation skills
• Strategic thinker and empathetic problem solver.
• Comfort and confidence in asking questions and seeking support.
• Capable of making tough decisions that support the school’s mission.
• Experience coaching teachers.
• Meet everyday stress with emotional stability, objectivity, and optimism.
• Ability to respond thoughtfully and decisively to the diverse needs of faculty, students, and their families.
• Possess qualities of enthusiasm, courtesy, flexibility, integrity, gratitude, kindness, self-control, perseverance, and punctuality.
• Proven ability to work and communicate well with young children through adolescents, as well as their parents.
• Collaborative and relational style built on active solicitation of input and excellent listening skills.
• Knowledge of and commitment to diversity and inclusion practices.
• Ability to problem solve, build consensus, and work in collaborative partnerships across all constituent groups.
• Uphold professional standards of personal presentation, punctuality, professional courtesy, and discretion.
• Value and respect children in the developmental ages and stages present in the program level.
• History of building a warm and supportive culture as well as inspiring students and faculty to practice a growth mindset.
• Excellent project management skills and the ability to manage multiple initiatives.
• Capacity for strategic thinking with the ability to look to the future, anticipate needs, develop new initiatives, and implement short- and long-term plans.
• Make impromptu classroom visits and engage teachers in conversation about their practice.