Montessori Lead Teacher: Kent, WA

Bezos Academy; Kent (WA); On-site; USD 71,000 - 114,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary range 71k-114k

Paid time off and holidays

Health, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with 4% match

Parental leave

Job summary

Bezos Academy in Washington state seeks an experienced Montessori Lead Teacher to guide a classroom of up to 20 preschoolers, ages three through five, across our multi-state network.

You will plan, deliver Montessori-based activities, collaborate with families, and support one or more assistant teachers while reporting to the Head of School. This full-time, benefits-eligible role offers relocation support and a path to leading classrooms in under-resourced communities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent with Montessori credential required.
• AMI/AMS/MACTE-accredited Montessori credential required.
• Washington state credentialing criteria for lead early childhood teachers required.
• Experience monitoring progress of individual students and maintaining records.

Responsibilities

• Plan, prepare, and deliver Montessori activities for up to 20 children.
• Use Bezos Academy curriculum and research-based practices to develop units.
• Maintain a clean, organized Montessori environment.
• Foster rapport and kindness among students and families.
• Use assessment tools to guide instruction and progress.
• Monitor and document student progress with approved tools.
• Communicate regularly with families about progress and needs.
• Support professional development and collaborate with staff.
• Supervise and mentor assistant teachers; support credentialing program.

Skills

Lead teacher experience

Montessori knowledge

Family communication

Curriculum development

Diversity & inclusion

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Montessori credential (AMI/AMS/MACTE)

Washington State Teaching Certificate (Early Childhood Education)

Associate's degree + 2+ years experience

Job description

As Montessori Lead Teacher, you will lead a classroom of up to 20 children ages three through five within a multi-state network of schools in under-resourced communities, offering quality Montessori-inspired preschool at no cost to families. You will plan, prepare, and deliver instructional activities that facilitate active Montessori learning experiences. You will create learning opportunities that support the cognitive, language, social, emotional, and physical development of every child. You will build relationships and communicate regularly with families to support each child’s development. In this role, you will support one or more assistant teachers and report directly to the Head of School.

You share our passion for the Montessori method and have honed your skills as an early childhood practitioner with expertise in child development, strong communication skills, and experience working with students and families from diverse backgrounds in low-income communities. Above all, you demonstrate passion for our mission to expand access to high quality preschool in under-resourced communities.

Relocation support is available for this role.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• This is a full-time, benefits-eligible, salaried position.
• The full salary range for this positionis $71,000 - $114,000 per year.The upper third of the salary range is typically reserved for existing employees who have been in the role for multiple years and demonstrate strong performance over time. Starting salary will vary by qualifications and prior experience.
• This role includes 32 paid days of scheduled breaks, 3 paid days of personal time off, 9 paid days of sick (care) time, 10 paid holidays, and additional time off if required by applicable law. Benefits for this role include medical, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, a 401(k) plan with a 4% employer contribution match, paid parental leave, an employer-matched flexible spending account for dependent care, and more. Please see here for details.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• One or more of the following:
  • Bachelor's degree (Note: If you do not hold a Bachelor's degree, please list "Other" in the education section below)
  • 4+ years of prior experience as an Assistant Teacher or equivalent
  • Associate's degree plus 2+ years of prior experience as an Assistant Teacher or equivalent
• 6+ months of experience with strong results with children as an Assistant Teacher at Bezos Academy
• Primary Montessori credential from an AMI, AMS, or other MACTE-accredited institute
• Ability to meet all credentialing criteria for lead early childhood teachers in Washington state:
  • 30 college quarter credits in Early Childhood Education OR hold a valid Washington State Teaching Certificate with an endorsement in Early Childhood Education or Early Childhood Special Education
• Ability to meet all additional training and eligibility requirements of Washington state, with required documentation uploaded into the MERIT system prior to start of employment
• Experience monitoring and maintaining accurate records on the progress of individual students
• Ability to supervise, communicate effectively with, and care for young children safely
• Demonstrated personal commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and experience working across lines of difference

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Two or more years of experience as a lead teacher or guide, teaching children from infancy through six years old with strong outcomes
• Experience working with children and families in low-income areas
• Experience working with children with special needs
• Proficient in a language other than English (particularly Spanish)

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plan, prepare, and deliver instructional activities that facilitate active Montessori learning experiences
• Use the Bezos Academy curriculum and current research-based instructional practices to develop integrated units of instruction that meet both the group and individual needs of students
• Prepare and maintain a clean, orderly, and attractive Montessori environment with the instructional resources needed to meet the development needs of every child in the classroom
• Create an environment that demonstrates rapport with and respect and kindness for, all students as well as between students
• Use Bezos Academy assessment tools/strategies such as observations, children's work samples, continuums of development, portfolios, etc. to help make instructional decisions for individual students
• Monitor and maintain accurate records on the progress of individual students; use school-approved screening and evaluation tools
• Use relevant, approved technology to support instruction
• Communicate necessary information regularly to students, colleagues, and families regarding student progress and student needs
• Establish a positive relationship with families and students, providing regular communication with families about their children
• Maintain teaching skills and participate in professional development activities
• Engage in on-going self-assessment and refinement of practice as well as in collaborative professional growth
• Participate in collegial activities and meetings designed to make the entire school a productive professional learning community
• Support the learning and development of assistant teachers
• If applicable, serve as a supervising teacher for teachers enrolled in Bezos Academy’s in-house Montessori credentialing program, including providing feedback and completing progress evaluations
• Assume postures at low levels (e.g. kneeling, stooping, bending, and sitting on the floor) as needed to communicate effectively with children

Bezos Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Bezos Academy participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with employee Form I-9 Information to confirm authorization to work in the U.S. Bezos Academy only uses E-Verify once a candidate has accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. If E-Verify cannot confirm that an employee is authorized to work, Bezos Academy will give the employee written instructions and an opportunity to contact the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so the employee can begin to resolve the issue before any adverse employment action is taken. For more information about your right to work, please see the Notice of Right to Work.

Note: If hired, a Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, must be completed at the start of employment.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you are in need of an accommodation to participate in the application process, please reach out to [e-mail] . We will work with you to ensure you have a fair opportunity to apply for our open positions.