SCOPE Credentialed in the Montessori method for their level, the Lead Teacher is responsible for creating a safe, nurturing Montessori environment that fosters children's independence, critical thinking, and love for learning. The Lead Teacher implements a child-centered curriculum, adapts lessons and activities to individual needs, and provides guidance with patience and respect. The Lead Teacher is skilled in classroom management, observation and assessment, individualized instruction, and mentoring other adults. As a model of professionalism, the Lead Teacher collaborates with Parents and Caregivers to support the holistic development of each child and is a participatory and supportive member of the MSD community. RESPONSIBILITIES Prepared Montessori Environment & Materials - The Lead Teacher will: • Maintain a neat, well-organized, attractive, and sanitary prepared environment consistent with Montessori pedagogy, including furnishings and materials which are aesthetically pleasing, developmentally appropriate, and serve an academic purpose. Educational materials are rotated regularly for continued learning and curriculum development. • Assess the needs of the class and purchase/request materials, furnishings, and supplies in a fiscally responsible manner within the framework of the classroom budget. Maintain inventory of teaching materials and supplies, and anticipate the continuous development of materials, ensuring materials are varied and uniquely relevant to the children and their cultures. • In accordance with Montessori guidelines, ensure both the indoor and outdoor learning areas are organized, cleaned, safe, and sanitized throughout the day, including learning spaces, cabinets, kitchen, and storage areas. Classroom/Student Management & Observation - The Lead Teacher will: • Support students' development by recognizing individual needs and differences and helping them to live, learn, and work individually and cooperatively. • Design and deliver engaging and established age-appropriate Montessori curriculum by scope and sequence in a Montessori-designed classroom community, rotating materials dependent on the year's particular mix of students. Curriculum should nurture each student's social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development in a safe, clean, tidy, and enriching environment. • Monitor group activities to maximize healthy socialization, foster a sense of community, and ensure the health and safety of all involved. • Observe children's development, learning styles, social interactions, and progress daily and use these observations to refine instruction and adjust the learning environment. • Assist students toward self-directed learning and normalization. • Uphold and reinforce positive classroom behavior by modeling appropriate behavior and drawing attention to the ground rules of the community. • Maintain accurate records of student progress and attendance. Maintain observations on each child and make them available for review upon request by the Administration. Periodically assess student growth and development, and review results with Parents and Administration. Follow the school's policies and procedures for student evaluation and record-keeping, meeting all due dates as required. • Establish and participate in the daily classroom routine, including arrival and dismissal. • Assist children with clothing and personal hygiene (as appropriate by age - shoes tied, faces cleaned, hands washed, noses wiped, bottoms wiped, diapers changed, etc.) Collaboration & Planning - The Lead Teacher will: • Develop lesson plans and manage the learning experience for students to ensure the needs of the class and individual students are met. Planning is expected to occupy a significant portion of each week, and although time is included in the weekly school schedule for planning, it may also necessitate time outside of the traditional school day. • Maintain a supportive and collaborative partnership with Administration and Staff to assist in the School's overall programs, goals, culture, strategic plan, and mission. • Maintain student record-keeping, lesson planning, attendance, and other requested items in a shareable format for Staff and Administration to access as needed. • Collaborate with and participate in ongoing meetings at the team level, school-wide meetings, Lead Teacher meetings, committee work, and meetings with interdisciplinary Specialists to maintain a cohesive and effective learning environment. • Ensure the Assistant Head of School (or Head of School in their absence) is informed of problems, issues, anticipated events, and developments in the classroom. Work collaboratively with Administration, students, and parents to pursue the ideal Montessori teaching and learning environments. Ensure Daily Duties documents) for your classroom are updated and accurate, and Admin has the most recent version to store in Blackbaud for access by all. Communication - The Lead Teacher will: • Communicate with MSD students in a clear, concise, and supportive manner; interact with the children in an appropriate manner that is both loving and firm. • Maintain a strong Home/School partnership by ensuring consistent, respectful, and open lines of communication with Parents/Caregivers, responding to communications within one business day as much as possible. Have ongoing constructive conversations with Parents, providing updates on their children's progress and addressing concerns. Provide supportive and useful information at Parent/Teacher conferences. Encourage Parent participation in school programs, activities, special events, and fundraisers whenever possible to bond with the class and the larger MSD community. • Support the School by supplying newsletter content to the Administration in advance of deadlines, detailing classroom activities and goals/purposes of the activities. Occasional requests for content for the website or other publications may be required. • Maintain positive, polite, and respectful working relationships with other MSD Staff. Regularly make time to exchange views and suggestions concerning best practices in the classroom. • Participate in the development and presentation of Parent education programs. Leadership & Professional Growth - The Lead Teacher will: • Establish and maintain positive classroom management through effective coaching techniques to both students and classroom Assistants. • Provide adequate and ongoing orientation to and training in the Montessori philosophy and environment to any Assistant in the classroom. Ongoing training should include regular observational discussions about the children and their progress and behaviors, and continual feedback about the Assistant's performance. • Provide a supportive and collaborative partnership with the classroom Assistant(s), Interns, and Substitutes by communicating clear expectations of those roles. Offer guidance and mentorship in classroom management, materials making, preparation and maintenance of the environment, and behavior management in keeping with the Montessori philosophy. • Cultivate professional growth by seeking out the latest research and best practices in Montessori education through reading, research, and participation in professional development opportunities such as workshops, webinars, resource groups, observations, seminars, conferences, etc. (School funds used must be pre-approved by the Assistant Head of School). • If an Intern is placed in a classroom, it is the Lead Teacher's responsibility to comply with the terms of the Intern's training program, which typically includes scheduling regular times to assist the Intern with materials/lesson practice, discussing individual children and the class as a whole, and performing periodic verbal and written evaluations of the Intern. EXPECTATIONS It is expected that a Lead Teacher will: • Follow the steps outlined in the Lead Teacher Daily Duties document in accordance with their grade level. • Be a model of professionalism and respect for children, parents, staff and visitors. • Have a collaborative team mindset with staff, students, and parents. • Commit to maintaining a safe, clean, respectful, and inclusive learning environment. • Understand the position cannot be defined by classroom hours. • Accept responsibility of being an adult in a child's environment, realizing that the joy and warmth in a good Montessori classroom must flow from and through the Teacher and Assistants. • Provide individual and small group instruction, demonstrate lessons, answer questions, and offer support and encouragement. • Treat students with unconditional positive regard and provide individualized care for their needs. • Maintain a consistent, positive, and supportive classroom environment, using natural and logical consequences and positive discipline techniques to address challenging behaviors. Understand the importance of balancing warmth with setting boundaries/limits. • Step in as needed to supervise lunch on the playground; share in community responsibility of trash and compost disposal; assist with daily drop-off and pick-up in car line; assist in other areas as needed and/or requested. • Cultivate a love and respect for each child. • Observe in other classrooms/levels at least twice a school year • Represent MSD and Montessori education to various groups (parents, study/resource groups, students, community organizations) as requested It is expected that All Staff members at MSD will: • Represent MSD in a professional, respectful, and inclusive manner, exemplifying the Montessori and MSD culture in all interactions with students, staff, parents, and visitors. • Communicate clearly and respectfully with other Staff members at all times, responding to written communications within 24 hours as much as possible. Work with other Staff members in a professional, respectful, and ethical manner, with a willingness to maintain a cooperative and cohesive team approach to MSD's goals and culture. In all interactions, grace, courtesy, respect, and positivity should be practiced. • Accept constructive feedback positively, and from the viewpoint of how the feedback favors the reputation of the school as a whole. • Participate in training, professional development, staff and committee meetings, observations, special events, and fundraising activities as requested. • Monitor and respond to school communications on a daily basis; periodically monitor and respond to communications during school breaks. • Complete all required administrative and operational tasks and comply with all applicable regulatory requirements and school policies and procedures and codes of conduct as articulated in handbooks, operating guides and other school policy and procedure communications and documentation in a responsive and timely manner. • Give full cooperation to the Administration of the School, meeting deadlines and adhering to policies and practices outlined in various formats and publications. • Demonstrate fiscal responsibility, pursue cost savings, and treat the school's financial and physical resources with the same care and consideration as their own. Submit financial transactions and receipts (with sales tax identified) to Administration promptly, ensuring that funding of the account will cover expenses. Adhere to the signed Cardholder User Agreement (if issued a debit/credit card). Maintain student, family, and school confidentiality in alignment with the school's policies and procedures. • Demonstrate consistently regular, predictable and reliable attendance. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES Education • A bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university in childhood education, or similar, is required for Elementary teachers; preferred for other levels (Infant, Toddler, Early Childhood). • A Montessori teaching credential for the level they are currently teaching from a MACTE accredited teacher education program is required. • Unexpired Pediatric CPR certification Experience • Proven experience as a Montessori Lead Teacher (or similar experience) is required. Physical Abilities • Work is conducted daily both indoors and outdoors, where animals, insects, and reptiles of various kinds may be present. • Frequent bending, lifting, and reaching are required, with the ability to interact with children at their eye level. • Ability to remain visually and physically aware of the location of all children in a specific group at all times. • Standing for long periods and the mobility necessary to reach and respond to a child urgently. • Ability to lift and carry a young child (up to approximately 60 pounds) as necessary. Skills • Possess a strong understanding of Montessori principles and child development stages. • Be mentally and emotionally prepared and capable of dealing with children, Staff, and Parents in a mature, respectful, and non-threatening manner. Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills. • Be well-organized and detail-oriented; take responsibility for and follow through on projects assigned, including committee work. • Exhibit patience, empathy, and the ability to connect with young learners. • Demonstrate creativity and adaptability in designing and implementing lesson plans. WORK SCHEDULE - This is a continuous year-round position, paid monthly. Days: Lead Teachers are generally scheduled to work on campus Monday through Friday as determined by the academic calendar. Certain work requirements, planning, events, or unplanned academic calendar changes may necessitate a temporary modification of this schedule, including occasionally working on the weekend. Hours: In general, Lead Teachers are expected to work on campus during school hours, attend student events, and participate in all team, level, committee, staff, and other employee meetings. Regular classroom hours for full-time Lead Teachers typically begin at 7:50 a.m. and end when all students have been dismissed and the classroom is prepared for the next day. There may be instances when attendance is required outside of regular classroom hours to handle tasks such as correspondence, planning, classroom preparation and clean-up, committee work, administrative duties, and documentation. Additionally, certain activities, such as conferences, field trips, performances, and other events, may occasionally require evening or weekend hours. Reports to: Assistant Head of School Pay Classification: Exempt salaried マママママでママでく A reminder that a Montessori education: • Honors the human spirit and the development of the whole child's physical, social, emotional, and cognitive well-being • Encompasses a view of the child as one who is naturally eager for knowledge • Is based on ideals of equity, inclusion, and social justice • Fosters care of self, others, and the environment • Allows individual students to follow their interests while also learning from others • Enables students to explore and internalize concepts and ideas at their own pace while working toward individualized learning goals • Employs Teachers to serve as guides and mentors, systematically observing and assessing students' progress and providing them with support/tools so that they may take ownership of their learning and growth • Facilitates learning across modalities, e.g., visual, auditory, tactile, kinesthetic. This position description is not intended to be all-inclusive, and requirements are subject to change. Latest revision: Summer 2025