Upper Elementary Guide

American Montessori Society Inc; Westminster (MD); On-site; USD 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

American Montessori Society Inc in Westminster, Maryland seeks a dedicated individual for ongoing Montessori teaching responsibilities. The role emphasizes child observation, collaboration with co-teachers, and overall classroom management. Candidates should be prepared to engage in daily tasks, including setting routines and presenting material, as well as occasional events like Open Houses.

The ideal candidate must be adept at recognizing individual children's needs, support behavior strategies, and actively contribute to a positive classroom environment.

Qualifications

• Ability to observe and assess children's needs and behaviors.
• Strong understanding of Montessori teaching methods.
• Capacity to manage classroom dynamics effectively.

Responsibilities

• Consult with co-teachers and outline daily routines.
• Assist children and present new material.
• Conduct minor repairs and refresh the classroom environment.
• Organize activities and prepare for special events.

Skills

Child observation

Classroom management

Montessori methodology

Collaboration

Job description

Regular, On-going Tasks

Daily

Pre-class

• Consult with co-teachers and assistants.
• Outline projected routine of day and special activities.
• Select a point on which to concentrate observation.
• Convey information concerning the special needs of some children; propose possible strategies to support positive behavior and minimize negative.
• Identify a given group of children who might be shown certain materials (or steps), if they ask for help or seem to need a new stimulus
• Receive and welcome children.

During Class

• Observe group's overall feeling – the tone of the day.
• Assist children who need individual help to choose work.
• Protect working children from interference (including adult).
• Be prepared to make at least one small group presentation involving new material or a progressive step.
• Give individual lessons.
• Withdraw at regular intervals to observe.
• Uphold and reinforce positive behavior by modeling adult behavior and drawing attention to ground rules at a "neutral" time.
• Remain in contact with the whole group and sense changing mood or activity symptoms.
• Unobtrusively monitor the work of the individual child.
• Be on the lookout for opportunities for oral games.
• Record important points briefly – expand later.
• Treat children according to individual needs.
• Keep an eye on group activities to maximize healthy socialization, fostering of community and healthy recreation.
• Calmly prepare for transition activities.
• Incorporate dismissal routine as one of the day’s crucial activities.

Post-class (in cooperation with co-directress/Aide)

• Make minor material repairs.
• Refresh environment.
• Complete daily notes.
• Think about individual children and group interaction.
• If necessary, program and assemble a new exercise for the next day.
• Confer with co-directress.
• Compare observations.
• Discuss relevant points in Montessori theory.
• Demonstrate a learning material.
• Exchange ideas or alternate ways to cope with a given child (not just problems).
• Review successful group activities and invent new ones.
• Review and practice with materials especially those soon to be presented.
• New oral language games.
• Points of interest.
• Enlarge repertoire of sensorial and practical life.
• Replace articles for mystery bags and object boxes.
• Review transgressions of ground rules by adults and children and try to analyze possible causes; attempt to find counter strategies.

Weekly

• Double-check all learning materials.
• Remove all items in need of repair, replacement, or cleaning.
• Rotate books.
• Note needed janitor services.
• Restructure classroom routines as needed.
• Place orders or go shopping (with approval).
• Visit resource centers (libraries, special exhibits).
• Plan how to use volunteers or special resource people for next week.
• Update personal albums or notes.
• As needed, update long-range class and children’s records.
• As needed, organize special projects, read professional journals.
• Confer with Administrator/Headmistress as requested.

Occasional, On-going Tasks

• Prepare notes for conferences and hold conferences.
• Prepare evaluations.
• Attend staff meetings and parent meetings.
• Prepare for Open Houses, observations and special events.
• Other duties as requested

Seasonal Tasks

• Supervise major clean up.
• Take inventory.
• Develop programs and special holiday events.
• Organize and orientation program for children entering.
• Attend seminars.

Physical – On the job at least 80% of the time, the employee must:

• Bend
• Squat
• Stand
• Sit on the floor
• Walk
• Push/pull
• Carry/lift up to 50lbs
• Walk up to one mile comfortably and independently