Education Director

Central Park Montessori Job Description: Education Director Position: Education Director Start Date: July 1, 2027 Location: Central Park Montessori, 1 W. 91st st. New York, NY Reports To: Executive Director Employment Status: Full-Time, Year-Round Position Overview Central Park Montessori seeks an experienced, collaborative, and inspiring Education Director to lead the school’s educational program and support the professional growth of its teaching community. The Education Director is responsible for maintaining the quality and integrity of the Montessori program, supporting teachers in their classroom practice, and ensuring that the school’s educational philosophy is reflected in daily experiences for children. The Director provides pedagogical leadership, supervises and mentors faculty, partners with families, and works collaboratively with school leadership to create a nurturing, inclusive, and intellectually engaging environment for children, families, and staff. The position requires NYS certification in Early Childhood Education (or a pending plan to become certified within 6 months of September 1) Montessori certification is preferable but not required. The ideal candidate is knowledgeable about Montessori education in the early childhood years, demonstrates strong leadership and communication skills, and is committed to reflective practice, continuous improvement, and building a strong school community. About Central Park Montessori Central Park Montessori is a Montessori early childhood school serving 190 children on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. It is one of three campuses of Twin Parks Montessori Schools. The school nurtures each child’s independence, curiosity, creativity, and love of learning. Through thoughtfully prepared environments, hands-on materials, and individualized guidance, our educators support children’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. We are committed to creating an inclusive, collaborative community where children, families, and teachers feel valued and supported. Key Responsibilities 1. Educational Leadership and Montessori Program Quality Ensure the consistent implementation of Montessori philosophy and practice throughout the school. Support teachers in creating prepared environments that promote independence, concentration, purposeful activity, and respect for each child’s developmental needs. Oversee curriculum planning and implementation across classrooms, ensuring developmentally appropriate, engaging, and cohesive learning experiences. Promote observation-based teaching, individualized support, and respect for the unique developmental trajectory of each child. Support the integration of language, mathematics, sensorial learning, practical life, cultural studies, art, music, movement, and outdoor experiences. Conduct regular classroom observations and provide constructive, actionable feedback to teachers. Monitor the quality of classroom environments, materials, routines, and interactions. Identify opportunities to strengthen the educational program through professional learning, reflection, and collaboration. 2. Faculty Supervision and Professional Development Supervise, mentor, and evaluate teaching staff in collaboration with Executive Director. Establish clear expectations for teaching practice, classroom management, professionalism, and communication. Provide ongoing coaching and support to lead teachers, assistant teachers, and other educational staff. Plan and facilitate faculty meetings, workshops, professional development days, and collaborative learning opportunities. Support new teachers through orientation, mentoring, and regular check-ins. Help teachers address classroom challenges, strengthen teamwork, and develop effective strategies for supporting children. Identify staff development needs and recommend appropriate training and resources. Foster a professional culture characterized by mutual respect, accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning. 3. Child Development and Student Support Support teachers in understanding and responding to children’s social, emotional, cognitive, physical, and behavioral development. Partner with teachers and families to address developmental concerns and individual student needs. Coordinate with specialists and outside service providers, as appropriate, to support children and families. Promote inclusive classroom practices that recognize and respect differences in children’s backgrounds, abilities, identities, and learning needs. Support thoughtful transitions for children entering the school, moving between classrooms, and preparing for kindergarten. Help ensure that concerns about children’s development or classroom experiences are communicated promptly and handled with sensitivity and professionalism. 4. Family Engagement and Community Relationships Build strong, respectful, and collaborative relationships with families. Support teachers in communicating effectively with parents and caregivers about children’s development, classroom experiences, and Montessori education. Oversee the educational aspects of parent-teacher conferences and family meetings. Plan and support parent education opportunities, workshops, and community events related to child development and Montessori philosophy. Respond to educational concerns raised by families and work toward constructive, timely resolutions. Help families understand Montessori philosophy and how this approach supports children’s independence, confidence, and love of learning. 5. Health, Safety, and Regulatory Compliance Ensure that classroom practices and educational routines align with Article 47 and New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene requirements. Reinforce staff understanding and consistent implementation of supervision, attendance, transition, and child-safety procedures. Support staff training and readiness for inspections, reviews, and other compliance activities. Monitor classroom documentation and educational records for completeness and accuracy, in coordination with administrative staff. Ensure that teachers understand and follow school policies and established corrective action procedures. Immediately communicate significant safety concerns, regulatory issues, or incidents to the Executive Director and appropriate personnel. Participate in reviewing procedures and identifying opportunities to strengthen safety, supervision, and compliance. 6. School Operations and Administrative Collaboration Collaborate with the Executive Director and administrative team on school-wide planning and implementation of educational priorities. Contribute to the development of school calendars, faculty schedules, classroom assignments, and staffing plans as they relate to the educational program. Participate in teacher recruitment, interviewing, selection, onboarding, and retention. Help establish classroom staffing and coverage plans that support program quality and regulatory requirements. Maintain accurate records of classroom observations, teacher evaluations, professional development, and educational planning. Communicate staffing, program, and classroom concerns to the Executive Director in a timely manner. Support school-wide initiatives, accreditation or affiliation requirements, and continuous improvement efforts. 7. School Culture and Professional Leadership Model the school’s commitment to Montessori philosophy, respect, inclusion, and child-centered practice. Cultivate a warm, reflective, and collaborative professional community. Support consistent expectations and shared responsibility across classrooms. Approach challenges with sound judgment, discretion, and a solutions-oriented mindset. Maintain confidentiality regarding children, families, employees, and school matters. Represent Central Park Montessori professionally in interactions with families, staff, consultants, and the broader educational community. Qualifications Master's degree and NYS Certification in Early Childhood Recognized Montessori teaching credential for the early childhood age range strongly preferred. Experience in early childhood education, including classroom teaching and educational leadership. Demonstrated experience supervising, mentoring, and evaluating teachers. Strong understanding of early childhood development and developmentally appropriate practice. Knowledge of New York City Article 47 early childhood regulations and requirements, or the ability to become proficient promptly. Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and organizational skills. Ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining a strong focus on children, teachers, and families. Demonstrated commitment to inclusion, equity, and respectful partnerships with families. Sound judgment, discretion, flexibility, and the ability to lead with both empathy and accountability. Personal and Professional Attributes The ideal candidate will be: A thoughtful and knowledgeable Montessori educator. An approachable and effective instructional leader. A supportive mentor who can also establish clear expectations. An excellent communicator and relationship builder. Organized, proactive, and attentive to detail. Committed to professional growth and continuous improvement. Able to balance respect for individual teachers with responsibility for the quality and consistency of the overall program. Position Expectations The Education Director is expected to be a visible and engaged presence in the school, spending substantial time in classrooms, working directly with teachers, and maintaining regular communication with families and school leadership. The Education Director works in partnership with the Executive Director, who retains overall responsibility for the school’s organizational leadership, business operations, and broader administrative priorities. The two positions are expected to collaborate closely to support the school’s mission, educational quality, and long-term success. Compensation and Benefits Salary Range: 100K-120K annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience. Benefits Include: Medical, dental, and vision insurance 401(k) retirement plan Paid time off, including school-year vacations (more than four weeks), four weeks during the summer, paid sick leave, and holidays Professional development and continuing education opportunities Tuition remission for eligible employees’ children, subject to school policy Start Date July 1, 2027. #J-18808-Ljbffr