Mission: The mission of the Montessori American Indian Childcare Center (MAICC) “is to address the early childhood needs and the academic achievement gap of American Indian children through revitalizing the language and culture”. Vision: “to be the premier American Indian model of early childhood opportunity”  MAICC aims to foster in each child a sense of respect, responsibility, and resourcefulness for themselves, their community, and global society. By encouraging curiosity and innovative thinking, our students maintain a life-long love of learning and sense of duty towards stewardship and ethical responsibility.  Our families and staff work together to create a foundation upon which an authentic Montessori education can grow and have a positive impact in our community.

Job Title:	Primary Guide
Reports To:	Executive Director
Job Type:	Full Time-Exempt

   

Job Description

MAICC is seeking a seeking a Primary Guide for a yearly position to work with children 3-6 years of age.   MAICC is seeking a nurturing, intentional and empowering professional educator. The ideal candidate will be a Montessori-trained (AMI ) Primary Guide, dedicated to fostering a positive and collaborative school community with a passionate commitment to the authentic Montessori philosophy and methods.

Essential Duties
The Primary Guide will:

• Perform their duties faithfully, enthusiastically, and satisfactorily at MAICC during normal working hours on regularly scheduled school days, and at other times as specified. The Primary Guide devotes full time attention during normal working hours to their duties as a Montessori Primary Guide and staff member;

• Abide by all reasonable rules, regulations and policies set forth by the MAICC Board of Directors;

• Comply with all DHS relevant statutes, regulations and policies pertaining to licensed childcare centers;

• Adhere to all MAICC guidelines and standards, the Montessori standards established and practiced by the Founder of MAICC, and all AMI standards for maintaining excellence and a high degree of professionalism; and

• Respect self, respect others, and respect the overall environment;

Classroom Community Leadership Responsibilities 90%:

• Cultivate a nurturing, respectful, inspiring, empowering and safe learning environment;

• Put the child at the center of each moment. Always operate with the individual child as your guide. What do they need? What are they telling me? What sensitive period are they communicating? How can I be the dynamic link to the environment to meet this child’s unique needs?

• Know and honor each child as a sacred being, cultivating and celebrating their strengths, and gracefully supporting areas of struggle and challenges as opportunities for growth;

• Cultivate and generate a completely student-led environment, filled with independence, concentration, wonder, and joy;

• Create a rich culture of grace and courtesy in the classroom;

• Collaborate and support  guides and aides to effectively develop, share and participate in learning activities and community events;

• Assure that Montessori methods, classroom environment, and individual student needs are well addressed;

• Ensure each child’s unique needs are being met in each area of the curriculum with lessons that support and generate curiosity and wonder, a deep love of learning, and strong academic skills;

• Keep accurate records, updated weekly, on individual student’s development and needs;

• Provide supervision over the classroom community and student’s work, with a keen awareness of the functioning of the whole, while  paying attention to individual and small group needs;

• Strive to observe for at least 15 minutes a day and record these observations;

• Model and teach appropriate conflict resolution and problem-solving strategies;

• Attend regular meetings with other staff members and administration, sharing your experience, and offering your full support to the success and well-being of the school community;

• Assist  Montessori assistants in setting goals and offer consistent and supportive feedback to support the assistant’s growth and development;

• Take full responsibility for creating a beautifully prepared classroom environment with classroom team;

• Provide positive and critical feedback (opportunities for growth and development), support and evaluations for Children’ House staff;

• Be an ambassador of MAICC to our students, staff, and community always; and

• Communicate respectfully, openly, compassionately, and proactively.

Responsibilities to MAICC Families 5%:

• Ensure warm and effective connection between home and school, and support ongoing communication among parents, family, students, and the teaching team;

• Educate and fully support  parent/guardian understanding of the beauty and importance of Montessori Education on the academic, emotional, and social development for the young child;

• Provide family-teacher conferences three times a year to provide feedback on students’ intellectual, emotional, and social development;

• Create well written, educational, and insightful progress reports and newsletters and articles;

• Provide well-written, insightful updates to parents and family, using the school’s chosen avenues and adhering to the guidelines and schedule agreed upon by the Executive Director, and Head of School; 

• Participate in and lead inspired family education and community outreach events;

• Respond to parent and family inquiries in a timely fashion, respectfully and effectively;

• Build strong partnerships with parents and families served by the school;

• Support communication with parents and families according to school guidelines;

• Be a life-long learner, taking full responsibility for your own self-awareness, growth, and development; and

• Remain committed to deepening your understanding of authentic Montessori practice and implementing the method rigorously and precisely in your classroom community and beyond;

Administrative Responsibilities 5%:

• Assist in the efficient and effective management of the Children’s House;

• Follow protocols for managing information (i.e., attendance, incident reports, assessments, progress reports);

• Observe and meet all school deadlines, i.e., preparing progress reports, evaluations etc.;

• Attend all required staff meetings and special events;

• Maintain open and respectful communication with administration and colleagues. Voice concerns to and seek help from administration in a timely and positive manner;

• Offer respectful leadership and mentorship to support Montessori assistants in Montessori method and child development; and

• Respond to all organizational e-mails within 24 hours – weekends excluded. Copy administration (as appropriate) on concerning e-mails.

Position Details

This is a 12-month, full-time appointment. and hours of work and days are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand. Salary:  $54,080-$56,1600. We hope for an expedient hiring process.

Education and Experience

• Required: AMI Primary Teaching Credential;

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred;

• Understanding of and commitment to Montessori Philosophy;

• Ability to work collaboratively with staff to enhance whole school learning environment and community;

• Excellent communication skills – both written and verbal;

• Commitment to professional development and best practices in education;

• Commitment to meeting the needs of each child;

• Preferred 2+ years classroom experience; and

• Experience serving Indigenous children or children of color preferred.

EEO Statement

It is the policy of the Montessori American Indian Childcare Center, Inc. not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin in its educational programs, admissions, employment and general policies.

Other

• Must possess a Department of Human Service Back Ground Study and/or pass a Background Study; 

• Must complete Department of Human Service training requirements before employment start date; 

• Fulfills other duties as assigned; and

• Experience working with American Indian community preferred and/or other cultural communities. 

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

If you are interested in this position, please email your most recent resume and a cover letter detailing why you are applying, to Laura Trujillo,  Head of School at: laura@americanindianmontessori.net