Assistant Director

Job Description

Job Description

GENERAL OVERVIEW OF JOB

The Montessori Assistant Director is responsible for consistently fulfilling the roles, responsibilities, and duties outlined in this job description. This position supports the Head of Schools in administrative tasks, classroom assistance, meetings, and overall school responsibilities, particularly focusing on customer service. The Assistant Director should have the capability to guide, monitor, and supervise students of various age groups using Montessori techniques and must adapt to the needs of both students and the community. This role also involves fostering positive and constructive interactions with teachers, students, and parents, ensuring a safe and clean environment, and assisting with various administrative duties as needed. Participation in special events is also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

1. Employee Policies/ Parent Handbook:

Ø Full knowledge and understanding of St. Mary’s Montessori School parent and employee policies, handbooks, and procedures. Full knowledge and understanding of State of California: Department of Social Services Title 22 regulations.

2. Students:

Ø Customer Service: Consistently meet all Head of School responsibilities related to customer service, guiding, and nurturing the development and learning of infant and primary students.

Ø Prepared Environment: Provide a prepared environment with identifiable activity routines and facilitate activity transitions, constantly observing students.

Ø Montessori Principles: Demonstrate working knowledge and application of Montessori principles/philosophy.

Ø Daily Schedule: Use a daily schedule based on Montessori ideals, acting as a reference and exemplar for students.

Ø Ongoing Knowledge: Maintain knowledge of Montessori principles and skills to guide and direct infant and primary students.

Ø Assist Teachers: Assist Lead Teachers with training development and Montessori program advancement.

Ø Learning Environment: Create an environment that fosters and showcases Montessori learning across all classroom areas.

Ø Kindergarten and Elementary Readiness: Maintain knowledge of local expectations for kindergarten and elementary readiness, guiding the learning process accordingly.

3. Parent Relations:

Ø Montessori Philosophy: Communicate Montessori philosophy to parents.

Ø Confidentiality: Recognize and respect parent/student confidentiality.

Ø Positive Interaction: Interact with parents positively and in a friendly manner.

Ø Guaranteed Communications: Provide daily or weekly communications and participate in Parent-Teacher conferences.

Ø Parent Tours: Conduct new parent tours as needed.

Ø Program Promotion: Promote Montessori programs and school readiness to parents.

Ø Parent Meetings: Conduct and take minutes at parent meetings.

Ø Parental Involvement: Encourage parental involvement and support the student's relationship with their family, incorporating family culture into student experiences.

4. Care :

Ø Supervision: Maintain constant supervision of students, attend to students in distress, and ensure safety during activities.

Ø Positive Discipline: Use positive Montessori discipline techniques.

Ø Supportive Interaction: Interact with students supportively, using their names and a calm tone of voice.

Ø Policy Adherence: Follow policies, procedures, and regulatory standards for student activities.

Ø Reporting: Report signs of illness, injury, or abuse to the Head of School and take appropriate emergency action.

Ø Clean-Up and Maintenance: Supervise facility clean-up and maintenance of student areas.

Ø Sanitary Standards: Maintain sanitary standards for self and students.

Ø Attendance Records: Keep accurate attendance records of students.

5. Other Staff Duties:

Ø Customer Service and Community Relations: Support the Head of Schools in customer service and community relations.

Ø Attendance: Regularly attend work as scheduled.

Ø Additional Duties: Complete other duties as assigned by the Head of Schools.

Ø Training and Knowledge: Have knowledge of workman’s compensation policies and procedures, train others on company software, and attend staff meetings, workshops, and events.

Ø Title 22 Compliance: Be knowledgeable of Title 22 rules and regulations.

Ø Training: Be trained and able to train others on all areas of the Director/ Head of School Training Binder.

Ø Head of School Responsibilities: Oversee the school and all Head of School responsibilities in the Head of School’s absence.

Employees may be assigned additional duties and responsibilities beyond their job description as needed. These duties may vary from time to time. Such assignments are expected to be within the employee's skills and capabilities and contribute to their professional development.

Salaried employees are required to maintain a valid, one-year, employment agreement with St. Mary’s Montessori School.

q EDUCATION / WORK EXPERIENCE:

The MINIMUM required to qualify for this position.

Ø AMI or AMS Montessori Diploma.

Ø 2-3 years of early childhood education experience or related education.

Ø Bachelor’s degree in Child Development or equivalent experience.

q SPECIALIZED TRAINING AND/OR LICENSING:

Ø Coursework in child development.

Ø State-required qualifications to supervise a group of students alone.

Ø Serve Safe Certification.

Ø Director First Aid and CPR extended hourly certificate.

Ø DSS Comp 1 and 2 for Directors.

q AGE:

Ø Must be at least 21 years old.

q ABILITIES AND SKILLS:

Special abilities the position requires.

Ø Work independently with minimal supervision.

Ø Flexible and adaptable to constant change.

Ø Strong tact and diplomacy; ability to interact and work cooperatively with students, parents, and staff.

Ø Ability to prioritize, organize, and plan work under own initiative.

Ø Effective communication skills, both orally and in writing.

Ø Initiative to maintain communication and build relationships with parents and others.

Ø Comfortable with conflict and able to work under high-stress situations while maintaining composure.

q MENTAL AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The mental discipline and physical requirements that occur regularly in performing the job duties.

• Reading/interpreting • Customer service • Hearing

instructions • Reasoning/judgment • Pushing/pulling

• Language skills • Carrying • Repetitive motion

• Detailed work • Standing • Reaching

• Training • Driving • Walking

• Confidentiality • Kneeling • Sitting

• Math • Attendance • Lifting 10-40 lbs.

• Problem-solving • Squatting • Speaking

• Typing • Spelling • Maintain composure

q EXPOSURE TO:

• Moderate hazards

• Childhood illnesses

• Heat/cold

• Noise

q SUPERVISION:

The amount of supervision this position requires: Limited supervision

q ANALYSIS & DECISION MAKING:

Examples of typical decisions and/or recommendations this position makes.

1. Respond to parental inquiries.

2. Recommend staffing needs

3. Make recommendations for staff performance reviews.

4. Communicate issues and problems with Administration and H.R.

q IMPACT:

The effect of the decisions and actions for which this position is responsible for Montessori operations,

considering: 1) the operations affected and the potential impact; and 2) the extent to which actions or

decisions are reviewed at higher levels.

Ø Positive interactions with parents enhance the school’s reputation; negative interactions can result in loss of trust and enrollment.

Ø Good decisions benefit students' well-being and education; poor decisions can negatively impact students and cause parental concerns.

Ø Effective training and orientation for Assistant Directors can facilitate a positive start; poor interaction can lead to staff problems.

q CONTACT WITH OTHERS:

Parents Regularly

Government/state Agencies Moderate

Management Regularly

Staff Regularly

Support Center Moderate

Students Regularly

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Assistant Director Directly Reports to:

Head of School

Corporate Staff

Company President

**The above information is intended to describe the most important aspects of the position. It is not intended to be

construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required in order to perform the work.