Shining Stars Montessori Academy Primary Coordinator/Instructional Coach (SY 24-25)

Position Summary:

The Individual in this position is charged with the overall responsibility for the elementary program at Shining Stars. The Elementary Coordinator assumes responsibility for creating, sustaining and nurturing an engaging educational environment true to the philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori. The Elementary Coordinator oversees and coaches the guides/teachers , specialists and assistants in the elementary program. The elementary Coordinator works as a guide in the classroom approximately 20% time (or as needed) , and directs and coordinates coaching, assessment, in-service training and administrative duties approximately80% time.

Essential Functions of the Montessori Primary Coordinator /Instructional Coach:

• Responsible for the overall safety, well-being and implementation of positive discipline principles in the Children's House/Primary classroom communities
• Knowledge of the academic and social-emotional development of PreKindergarten-Age 5/6 
• Responsible for overall curriculum development of the Montessori PreK through Kindergarten program 
• Facilitates positive teamwork and a spirit of collaboration among elementa primary guides and assistants.
• Provides ongoing instructional coaching and feedback to guides/teachers and assistants, consistent with school mission and job descriptions
• Keeps primary guides/teachers informed or professional growth and development opportunities; guides teachers and assistants to appropriate professional development
• Leads inventory review and control for every primary classroom community to insure that SSMA meets the requirements/standards for a Montessori-accredited primary learning environment
• Assists the Principal with trimester progress reporting and review and leads the administration of assessments and data analysis
• Collaborates with the Principal in preparing new and prospective parent education meetings (open houses, virtual town halls, etc).
• Assists Principal with screening for new guides and assistants.
• Ensures that the program is in compliance with Montessori accreditation standards and OSSE regulations for EC programs.
• Coordinates with the guides to achieve curriculum cohesion, and ensure smooth transition of Kindergarteners to the Lower Elementary classroom.
• Assists the Principal in maintaining a substitute teacher files; recruits and supports substitutes for the Children's House classrooms
• Schedules after school enrichment programs for the students with the Montesdori Afterschool Coordinator
• Assists Principal with annual events such as Back to School Night, Mother's Day Tea, Donuts for Dads, Curriculum Nights , Stepping Up Ceremony, etc. Directs and engages volunteers in support of events.
• Assists Principal in monitoring the quality of monthly classroom newsletter for parents and incorporating information for weekly News& Notes.
• Creates the agenda and leads the weekly elementary academic team meetings.

Essential Functions as Guide/Lead :

• Applies professional knowledge of child development principles to interpret the Montessori philosophy in a manner that assures developmental growth.
• Develops and implements curriculum plans and activities that are supportive of the age group of the children in academic areas of math, language acquisition, reading, writing, social sciences, sciences, the arts, sensorial development and practical life.
• Ensures that the program fosters the intellectual, physical, social, emotional, and moral/ethical growth of all children enrolled.
• Assumes responsibility for the safety and physical well-being of the children at all times.
• Protects the privacy and working atmosphere of the group at all times.
• Collaborates in determining requirements for program equipment and materials and ensures furnishings and materials are complete and correspond to the needs of the group.
• Responsible for the care and maintenance of classroom materials.
• Supervises and guides the assistant in classroom management and the needs of the group.
• Maintains and keeps current student academic records and attendance records.
• Conducts regular parent conferences as per the school calendar to discuss each child's progress and maintains ongoing communication with parents regarding their child's specific needs.
• Work with the Principal to establish an annual budget for programming and materials for the elementary program
• Attends staff meetings, school events and in-service programs as scheduled. Attends other meetings as requested by the Principal.
• Collaborates on the creation of the classroom newsletter and News & Notes
• Assists with any other projects, community events, programs and planning as assigned by the Principal

. This position will have approximately 20% time for teaching in addition to the administrative responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS :

Qualifications - At least two of the following are  required :

-Master's degree in Early Education or related field

-AMS, IMC, AMI Montessori Certificate for Early Childhood Education; comprehensive understanding of Montessori Pedagogy for early childhood.

-3-5+ years of full-time teaching experience at the level required for this position (PK3-Kindergarten)

-Standard teaching certification/licensure

-Passing scores on Praxis II exams

Other qualifications (preferred): 

All candidates must be committed to meeting the needs of all learners and have experience working in urban communities.

• 2+ years of experience as a school administrator, such as a preschool Coordinator, school Coordinator, program Coordinator, or vice/assistant principal
• Demonstrated leadership skills; ability to guide, inspire , coach and mentor teachers.
• Supervisory skills; ability to effectively manage a team to fulfill common goals and to work

individually with teachers to meet defined objectives.

• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative, positive and effective working relationships with

others.

• Ability to complete work and meet deadlines in the face of interruptions.
• Excellent oral and written skills, including public speaking.

with trimester progress reporting and review and leads the administration of assessments and data analysis

• Collaborates with the Principal in preparing new and prospective parent education meetings (open houses, virtual town halls, etc).
• Assists Principal with screening for new guides and assistants.
• Ensures that the program is in compliance with Montessori accreditation standards and OSSE regulations for EC programs.
• Coordinates with the guides to achieve curriculum cohesion, and ensure smooth transition of Kindergarteners to the Lower Elementary classroom.
• Assists the Principal in maintaining a substitute teacher files; recruits and supports substitutes for the Children's House classrooms
• Schedules after school enrichment programs for the students with the Montesdori Afterschool Coordinator
• Assists Principal with annual events such as Back to School Night, Mother's Day Tea, Donuts for Dads, Curriculum Nights , Stepping Up Ceremony, etc. Directs and engages volunteers in support of events.
• Assists Principal in monitoring the quality of monthly classroom newsletter for parents and incorporating information for weekly News& Notes.
• Creates the agenda and leads the weekly elementary academic team meetings.

Essential Functions as Guide/Lead :

• Applies professional knowledge of child development principles to interpret the Montessori philosophy in a manner that assures developmental growth.
• Develops and implements curriculum plans and activities that are supportive of the age group of the children in academic areas of math, language acquisition, reading, writing, social sciences, sciences, the arts, sensorial development and practical life.
• Ensures that the program fosters the intellectual, physical, social, emotional, and moral/ethical growth of all children enrolled.
• Assumes responsibility for the safety and physical well-being of the children at all times.
• Protects the privacy and working atmosphere of the group at all times.
• Collaborates in determining requirements for program equipment and materials and ensures furnishings and materials are complete and correspond to the needs of the group.
• Responsible for the care and maintenance of classroom materials.
• Supervises and guides the assistant in classroom management and the needs of the group.
• Maintains and keeps current student academic records and attendance records.
• Conducts regular parent conferences as per the school calendar to discuss each child's progress and maintains ongoing communication with parents regarding their child's specific needs.
• Work with the Principal to establish an annual budget for programming and materials for the elementary program
• Attends staff meetings, school events and in-service programs as scheduled. Attends other meetings as requested by the Principal.
• Collaborates on the creation of the classroom newsletter and News & Notes
• Assists with any other projects, community events, programs and planning as assigned by the Principal

. This position will have approximately 20% time for teaching in addition to the administrative responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS :

Qualifications - At least two of the following are  required :

-Master's degree in Early Education or related field

-AMS, IMC, AMI Montessori Certificate for Early Childhood Education; comprehensive understanding of Montessori Pedagogy for early childhood.

-3-5+ years of full-time teaching experience at the level required for this position (PK3-Kindergarten)

-Standard teaching certification/licensure

-Passing scores on Praxis II exams

Other qualifications (preferred): 

All candidates must be committed to meeting the needs of all learners and have experience working in urban communities.

• 2+ years of experience as a school administrator, such as a preschool Coordinator, school Coordinator, program Coordinator, or vice/assistant principal
• Demonstrated leadership skills; ability to guide, inspire , coach and mentor teachers.
• Supervisory skills; ability to effectively manage a team to fulfill common goals and to work

individually with teachers to meet defined objectives.

• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative, positive and effective working relationships with

others.

• Ability to complete work and meet deadlines in the face of interruptions.
• Excellent oral and written skills, including public speaking.

Compensation and Benefits

Shining Stars offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package to promote self-care and overall wellness, including employer-covered health insurance for employee, dental and vision insurance, free life insurance, 401 k retirement including employer match, and included short term disability insurance.