Lead Teacher/Directress Toddler Class

Cornus Montessori School
Chantilly, VA

 Title: Lead Teacher
Position Status: Full time / Non-Exempt Position

 The Teacher is responsible for providing a safe and nurturing environment that encourages social, emotional, physical and intellectual development for children in their care. The implementation of the Montessori Program in conjunction with STEAM is established and guided in accordance with state regulatory requirements. The Teacher will incorporate the Cornus Montessori School mission, culture, goals, core values and policies and procedures. The Teacher will maintain positive relationships with families, children and colleagues. They will ensure the highest standards of safety, health and supervision of children at all times. The Teacher mentors, coaches and trains the Assistant Teachers within their classroom and/or age group and will monitor and evaluate their work. Feedback and observations will be a key factor to enhance the professional development of Assistant Teachers. The Teacher takes accountability for the enforcement of the policies and procedures within their classroom.

MAJOR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Leadership • Participate with teaching team to develop clear classroom goals that support a quality program. • Collaborate with the team in developing action plans to implement classroom goals and continuous improvement plans to achieve a quality program. • Ensure that daily responsibilities are completed; jobs are shared and taught to each team member on a continuous basis. • Model exemplary behavior with children, families and colleagues and give direction as needed to less experienced staff. • Orient new team members to classroom routines, curriculum practices and family communication. • Provide operational training and guidance to Assistant Teachers.

Curriculum • Implement the Montessori curriculum which reflects observations and assessments of individual children and goals through the use of the Montessori Compass. • Assist teaching team in the design of the environment that responds to children's individual developmental levels, physical and emotional needs and current interests through the use of the Montessori materials and philosophy. • Foster positive self-concept by supporting individuality, independence, and the ability to make choices. • Encourage creative expression using the Reggio curriculum and STEAM. • Demonstrate respect for diversity by providing anti-bias, non-sexist language, images, and experiences which reflect both location and global communities. • Implement the daily schedule which provides a balance of activities: quiet/active, indoor/outdoor, fine/gross motor, etc. in adherence to the Montessori philosophy.

Professionalism • Maintain confidentiality about issues concerning other staff members, children and families or school management and operations. Must not involve families in school concerns. • Demonstrate knowledge of Montessori and Regio philosophy. Understand the general areas of physical, social, cognitive and emotional development for the particular area of the age group that you are working with. • Support organizational mission, philosophies, values, goals and policies to families, colleagues, and community. • Ensure continuity of care for children by reporting to work on time and maintaining consistent attendance, arranging and communicating leave requests in advance. • Respect and adhere to staffing schedules which may be adjusted as program needs change and may include working in another classroom or a change of schedule based on the school needs. • Demonstrate flexibility and openness to new ideas in Montessori and childcare practices. • Attend staff meetings, training sessions and other location events. • Respond to location and organizational needs by attending regional training, contributing to a newsletter, serving on a committee or substituting in another class when needed. • Continue professional growth by attending courses, asking for feedback and reading professional literature to remain cutting edge in the field. • Receive constructive criticism with an attitude that indicates a willingness to improve. Give feedback in a respectful manner.

Teamwork • Establish and maintain a relationship of cooperation and respect with colleagues. • Assume a fair share of work and always be supportive with peers and administrators. Look for ways to be helpful. Demonstrate initiative. • Assume additional classroom and location responsibilities such as: kitchen, pets, children's files, etc. • Offer and share ideas and materials with colleagues. • Participate actively in your classroom teaching team through communication, collaboration, and curriculum planning. • Communicate directly, work to resolve conflicts quickly and avoid gossip. • Exercise care in expressing views regarding the personal attributes or professional conduct of coworkers. Statements are based on first-hand knowledge and relevant to the interests of children and programs. Interaction between Staff and Children • Interact frequently, affectionately, and respectfully by smiling, touching, and holding children. Speak in a friendly, calm, soft, courteous manner within the close proximity of the child. • Respect and observe children's interests. Intervene when needed to maintain safety. Enhance children's learning with language, materials, supplies and lessons. • Communicate directly with each child at the child's level. Use open ended questions. • Engage and communicate constructively with individual children during activities and routines. Take every opportunity to positively extend children's thinking and actions. • Be available and responsive to children's needs, questions, and requests. • Encourage and model social behavior and expectations which are developmentally appropriate. • Acknowledge feelings with sensitivity and demonstrate appropriate expression of emotions. • Practice positive discipline techniques in guiding children's behavior according to the Cornus Montessori School Policy. • Be attentive, flexible and supportive of children and their families during transitions to and from classrooms.

Family Communication • Acknowledge families and all classroom visitors at arrival and departure times. Demonstrate a friendly, courteous and professional demeanor. • Assist the Lead teacher in maintaining the child’s development and lessons through the web based program Montessori Compass. • Respond to family comments and concerns with sensitivity, interest and respect in a timely manner. Maintain confidentiality. • Establish and maintain a primary caregiving relationship with individual children and their families, which include initial meetings with families during orientation period. • Invite input from families regarding their child’s development and care. • Communicate verbally and in writing with families daily/weekly regarding the development and specific activities of the children in their primary care. • Plan and facilitate in regular formal and informal family conferences to discuss orientation, transitions, and developmental goals for their child based on appropriate assessment tools (i.e., Montessori Compass). • Assist in planning and attend school/classroom events and meetings. • Share resources with families through discussions, articles, family boards, newsletters, and community contacts.

Physical Environment, Health, Safety and Nutrition • Maintain and follow all safety and health rules of CMS. • Supervise children at all times. Demonstrate awareness of entire group whether working with a small group or individuals. • Know the number of children in your group and maintain ratios at all times. • Maintain accurate attendance records throughout the day. • Complete appropriate paperwork (i.e., accidents, daily reports, posted lesson plans, allergy management etc.) in a timely manner • Encourage children to utilize appropriate health, safety and nutritional practices. • Keep environment and equipment safe, clean, and attractive. Encourage respect for classroom materials. Notify designated individual in advance when supplies are needed and administrators immediately if there is a safety issue. • Arrange space in clearly defined, well organized activity areas as set forth by Cornus Montessori School. • Organize a variety of materials on low, open shelves for children to use independently. • Know the children who have allergies, medical needs or medication and follow the appropriate guidelines for meeting the specific care needs of the individual child.

Physical Demands • Follow state, federal and Cornus Montessori School guidelines including immunizations, employment physical, and required health and safety training. • Ensure children's safety while performing the following job functions: • Frequently lift, move, or hold children with a range of weight from 10 to 40 pounds. (Occasionally lift, move, or hold weight more than 40 pounds). • Supervise and interact daily with children outdoors for extended periods in varied weather conditions. • Demonstrate full range of motion to lift, reach, squat, climb, sit, and otherwise fully participate in activities including sitting on the floor. • Maintain mental and physical alertness and an appropriate level of energy to perform essential job requirements.

REQUIREMENTS (Must meet State requirements at a minimum)
Education • Must meet state education requirements for Teacher (or Lead Teacher, if available) • Possess or working towards Montessori Certification for appropriate age group. • High School diploma/GED required. Related college-level course work or CDA course work preferred. CDA or working towards an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree is preferred.
Experience • Required 6 months of professional teaching experience. • Demonstrated knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices, health and safety standards, Montessori Curriculum, STEAM and Montessori Compass.

Contact Information for Applicants
lstelford@cornusmontessori.com