Job Title: Primary Lead Teacher
Reports To: Head of School
Status: exempt
DESCRIPTION OF SCHOOL AND PROGRAM:
Spruce Pine Montessori School, founded in 1972, is located in Western North Carolina not far from the Blue Ridge Parkway. We serve approximately 50 families from four rural counties. Our classrooms are beautiful, our staff is welcoming and highly skilled; and our family community is warm and actively involved in the life of the school.
We have two Primary Montessori Classrooms, with 15-18 students, ages 3-6. The successful candidate will either have their Montessori training completed or be working towards this completion during the school year.
EXPECTATIONS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES: Promotes the image of the school and supports its mission, vision, and goals by exhibiting the following behavior: excellence, competence, innovation, collaboration, respect, resourcefulness, flexibility, and accountability. Uses positive and professional language and exhibits loyalty to the school at all times. All employees must be punctual and ready to greet children when the children arrive.
SUMMARY: The lead teacher is a guide who helps direct the children’s activities academically, spiritually, emotionally, and physically in a prepared Montessori environment that challenges each child to reach his or her fullest potential in these developmental areas, in accordance with Montessori philosophy.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES (others may be assigned):
- Adheres to all guidelines set forth by the NC Department of Child Development and Early Education, including requirements for star rated licensing
- Serves as a dynamic link between the child and the environment
- Acts as a systematic observer of the child and an interpreter of his needs as well an evaluator of self and child's daily progress
- Acts as a supporter of each child offering warmth, security, stability and non-judgmental acceptance to all
- Develops and implements curriculum that complies with Montessori philosophy and methodology
- Is responsible for the safety and physical well being of the children at all times
- Adheres to professional standards as an educator for the purpose of maintaining quality and excellence
- Follows all policies and procedures of the school as written in the employment and family handbooks
- Prepares a classroom environment in which the furnishings and materials are create an imaginative, nurturing, organized learning environment and corresponds to the needs of the group
- Protects the privacy and working atmosphere of the class at all times
- Directly supervises children in the classroom, on the playground, and on field trips at all times
- Trains and supervises children in monthly fire drills and quarterly lockdown or shelter in place drills
- Assists children safely into their cars at pick-up time
- Maintains current, accurate, individual progress notes, attendance records, incidental notes and weekly overview of class work
- Holds at least two conferences per year with families
- Maintains on-going communication with families regarding children’s specific needs and school operational needs
- Participates in staff and meetings with families and any other meetings deemed necessary by the Head of School
- Takes responsibility for the care and maintenance of the classroom and teaching materials and equipment.
- Organizes storage of supplies, materials, and activities
- Makes or purchases classroom materials as needed
- Reports all accidents or unusual situations to the Head of School and fills out an incident report form
- Notifies the Head of School immediately of personal difficulties with children, parents/guardians, or staff members
- Assists with developing other projects, programs, and planning as requested by Head of School
- Supports all school-related fundraising projects
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Oversees classroom assistant, parent/guardian volunteers, and substitute teachers.
QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. The successful candidate must love and respect children, exhibit leadership qualities, have a sense of humor, be friendly and work cooperatively with teams, must be self motivated and have the personality to motivate others, and must be able to set priorities and meet deadlines. This position requires a high level of interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations with a continual need for tact and diplomacy. The successful candidate must be able to manage a wide variety of personalities and must have excellent decision-making skills. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential tasks.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: Bachelor's degree from four-year college or university in a related field preferred. Montessori certification or certification in process is required; NC Early Childhood credential; current First Aid and CPR certification, valid NC driver’s license, criminal background check, medical exam and TB test; experience with children.
LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write correspondence with families and progress reports. Must have the ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from parents/guardians, and the general public; ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints; ability to make effective presentations to public groups.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to read and follow basic budget procedures and ability to teach math concepts at the Primary level
REASONING ABILITY: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out job description. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee is required to walk. The employee is regularly required to stand, and sit on the floor. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Annual Salary based on education and years of experience
10 sick/personal leave days per year
5 paid holidays
3 weeks paid vacation during 10-month school calendar, 9 weeks unpaid vacation in summer
3% matching IRA funds the year following the first year of employment
Health Reimbursement, short term disability and life insurance, self pay vision insurance
75% tuition reduction for one qualified child
Pay: $29,635.00 - $42,208.00 per year
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
