Primary Lead Teacher in Ithaca, New York

Ithaca Montessori School

Primary (3-6) Montessori Certified Lead Teacher

Job Description:  The Lead Primary Teacher position at Ithaca Montessori School (IMS) requires love, patience, and respect for children ages 3 – 6 years old. Lead Teachers must have the ability to encourage children to be independent and model appropriate manners and behaviors. Lead Teachers instruct children in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth following the philosophies of Maria Montessori by performing the duties described below. Lead Teachers model the IMS Mission and Values and Montessori principles for their Assistant Teachers as well as the children and families of the children in their classroom.

Basic Qualifications:

AMS, AMI 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 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 test, immunizations, and physical.
• Able to lift 50 pounds.
• Able to squat, stand, and sit for 2 hours or more at a time.

The position requires a ready to start date of August 24, 2020. Ready to start means that all necessary paperwork and clearances completed prior to this date. The ability to start earlier is preferred.

Hours: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm

Job Type: Full-time/Benefits Eligible Position

Salary: $16.00 to $22.00 /hour

Location: Ithaca Montessori School Ithaca, NY

Point of Contact: Pam Weatherby

Email: Enrollment@ithacamontessori.org

Requirements

General:

• Arrive promptly on a daily basis to prepare the classroom for 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 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.
• Other duties as assigned.

Safety:

• Understand and ensure compliance of 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 as authorized transporters.
• Maintain a clean, orderly, and attractive Montessori environment including upkeep and inventory of materials.
• Perform cleaning tasks as required.

Curriculum:

• Establish an annual academic plan and submit to the Education Director for review.
• Prepare a weekly schedule and plan of activities including art, cooking, music, language, etc. on a monthly basis that corresponds with the annual academic plan.
• Prepare and maintain the classroom environment, ensuring shelves are appropriately stocked with materials and supplies to allow children to choose various activities.
• Conduct regular, ongoing observations of the children to ensure classroom materials are appropriate.
• Create supplemental materials for the classroom as necessary to provide extensions and variations to curriculum areas.

Communications:

• Check the classroom email account daily and respond within 24 hours to all necessary communications.
• Prepare bi-annual parent-teacher conference reports and hold conferences with families based on the school calendar.
• Communicate any concerns regarding children to the Education Director and be prepared to meet and discuss openly with the family.
• Communicate professionally and in a timely manner with parents.
• Communicate professionally and in a timely manner with Administration.
• Call to the attention of the Administrators any concerns of the parents