Mentor Montessori Teacher (multiple start dates and locations in Florida, Texas, and Washington)

As a Mentor Montessori Teacher for Bezos Academy, you will support classrooms at a designated school within a network of high quality, tuition-free, Montessori-inspired preschools in underserved communities. You will bring a deep knowledge of Montessori educational principles and practices, as well as complementary early childhood philosophies and pedagogies. You will draw upon your prior history as a strong teacher of children and collaborator with colleagues. You will coach teachers to plan, prepare, and model instructional activities that facilitate active Montessori learning experiences. You will facilitate learning opportunities that support the cognitive, language, social, emotional, and physical development of every child. You share our passion for the Montessori method and have honed your skills as an early childhood practitioner with expertise in child development, strong communication skills, and experience working with students and families in low-income areas from diverse backgrounds. You will build relationships and communicate regularly with Lead Teachers and Assistant Teachers to support both teacher and child development.

In this role, you will support all classrooms in a school and report directly to the Head of School. While you will not guide your own classroom, you will have a variety of responsibilities including developing and coaching Lead and Assistant Teachers, teaching directly as needed (classroom coverage), and supporting the Head of School with operational responsibilities. Above all, you demonstrate passion for our mission to expand access to high quality preschool in underserved communities.

*Relocation support is available for this role.

LOCATIONS, START DATES,  AND COMPENSATION

• Our existing schools are concentrated in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area with one school in Western Washington. We anticipate opening a number of new schools in partnership with local community organizations during the 2022-2023 school year. Our new schools are likely to be in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area, central and eastern Washington state, the greater Miami metro area, the Orlando metro area, the Houston metro area, and the Dallas metro area. On the application, please only select locations you are willing to work in and for which you meet the criteria for leading a classroom independently so we can match you with the right school sites and the appropriate interview team.
• We are hiring for Mentor Montessori Teachers who can start now (in Washington) as well as those who can start in all locations in late spring/early summer in time to launch new schools next year.
  • Please indicate your preferred start date(s) and availability on the application.
  • If you are interested in joining us for the next school year rather than immediately, you can expect a start date in late spring/early summer 2022 (exact date TBD—your input on availability will help us select a date that works for most Mentor Montessori Teachers). Our new preschools are likely to open in the fall of 2022; some may open in early winter. Regardless of school launch date, Mentor Montessori Teachers joining Bezos Academy to launch a new school will start their jobs in late spring/early summer 2022 to attend training and support the training of teachers new to Montessori later in the summer.
• Starting salary for this role is $75,000 – $105,000 depending on experience, qualifications, and location.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree
• Primary Montessori diploma from an AMI, AMS, or other MACTE-accredited institute
• Five or more years of experience as a lead teacher or guide in a Montessori primary classroom (ages 3-6) and strong knowledge of Montessori pedagogy
• Ability to meet all credentialing criteria for lead early childhood teachers in one of the following states:
  • Florida: please see here for a summary of credentialing criteria.
  • Texas: age 18 with a high school diploma (note Bezos Academy requires a Bachelor’s)
  • Washington: the equivalent of 30 college quarter credits in Early Childhood Education OR hold a valid Washington State Teaching Certificate with an endorsement in Early Childhood Education or Early Childhood Special Education
• Ability to meet all additional training and eligibility requirements of Florida, Texas, or Washington, including clearing background checks, tuberculosis tests, and so on, with required documentation of eligibility and training completion submitted to each state’s respective child care regulatory agency prior to start of employment
• Experience monitoring and maintaining accurate records on the progress of individual students
• Demonstrated personal commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and experience working across lines of difference

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree in a relevant field (i.e., child development, curriculum and instruction, educational technology, early childhood education, etc.)
• Knowledge of other leading early childhood philosophies and pedagogies (e.g. Reggio Emilia and Waldorf)
• Experience applying best practices in diversity, equity, and inclusion across educator development programs and/or teacher training
• Track record of generating positive outcomes from coaching and training educators
• Comfort and confidence with various child, classroom-efficacy, and adult learning assessment methods

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the initial set up and ongoing evolution and design of the prepared environment throughout the year to meet the development needs of every child in the classroom.
• Inventory and make recommendations for classroom materials for all areas of the environment.
• Maintain and knowledge of school and classroom routines and advise to ensure smooth, easy transitions and routines.
• Develop additional lesson plans and corresponding materials in alignment with the overall curriculum with a diversity, equity, and inclusivity lens
• Model and support observation, record keeping, and assessment processes
• Use student, school, and other data as part of own professional learning and the learning of teachers in your school
• Provide part-time classroom coverage as needed
• Support teachers’ reflection and growth in instructional practice and responsibilities.
• Assist Head of School with school operations, for example opening or closing the school daily, greeting families, etc.
• Plan, prepare, and deliver instructional activities that facilitate active Montessori learning experiences
• Engage in on-going self-assessment and refinement of practice as well as in collaborative professional growth around coaching and mentoring within a Montessori environment
• Support an environment that demonstrates rapport with and respect for all students
• Lead and participate in collegial activities and meetings designed to make the entire school a productive professional learning community
• Maintain teaching skills and participate in professional development activities (both within the school community and via attendance at conferences, workshops, etc.)
• Engage with regional learning opportunities and participate in a professional learning community with other Mentor Montessori Teachers

To apply, please visit https://grnh.se/aa49c46a2us and upload resume and cover letter.