What are the responsibilities and job description for the Elementary Teacher 4th, 5th, 6th Grade 25/26 SY - American River position at California Montessori Project?
Elementary Teacher at a Montessori Charter
About Us
California Montessori Project is a public, tuition-free, TK-8, charter school network in the Greater Sacramento Area. We have over 2,800 students at our six schools, which are authorized by the four school districts in which they geographically reside.
The California Montessori Project provides a Montessori curriculum, integrated with the California state standards, to provide hands-on education in a child-focused format. Our classrooms are multi-grade, have small class sizes (averaging 24 students per class), and most have both a lead teacher and a teaching assistant. We encourage peer-to-peer collaborations, small-group learning, and independence.
California Montessori Project offers an environment which has the tools, programs, resources and support to enable students to become educated to high international academic standards and to develop themselves to their fullest capacity as competent, happy, productive individuals, family members, workers, and contributors to a better society and a peaceful world.
Job Summary
We are looking for qualified educators who have a passion for educating students both in academics and in becoming a confident, productive member of society. An educator that believes that students should have flexibility of movement and learn in small groups. An educator that believes in individualized lesson plans for each student and hands-on learning. An educator that believes in small adult-to-student ratios and peer-to-peer collaborating. An educator that believes in Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) as a way to create positive and safe learning environments. An educator that believes social/emotional learning is an important aspect of becoming a good human.
Does this sound like you? If so, please read on!
Essential Functions
- Develop and implement lesson plans that merge Montessori curriculum/philosophy with Common Core State Standards and that caters to the diverse needs and abilities of students
- Deliver engaging and interactive instruction across multiple subjects, including language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies
- Create a positive and inclusive classroom environment that promotes active participation, collaboration, and respect among students
- Create and update individualized work plans for each student
- Track and evaluate student academic progress using formative and summative assessments
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of student attendance, grades, and progress
- Communicate regularly with parents/guardians to discuss student progress, behavior, and any concerns or achievements
- Collaborate with colleagues, administrators, and support staff to coordinate curriculum, plan events, and address student needs
- Manage classroom behavior by implementing strategies outlined in behavior intervention plans (BIPs), use Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) to help teach and reinforce desired behaviors, and effectively de-escalate tense situations.
- Foster a safe and nurturing classroom environment conducive to learning and personal growth
- Lead parent-teacher meetings
- Oversee, direct, and collaborate with teaching assistants to create a positive, inclusive, and supportive classroom environment
- Participate in professional development opportunities to enhance teaching skills, stay updated on educational trends, and fulfill certification requirements
Work Environment
- Classroom Environment: This role works in classrooms where conditions can vary. This may include exposure to noise, varying levels of student engagement, and the need to adapt to changing circumstances.
- Emotional Demands: Working with students can be emotionally demanding but also incredibly rewarding. Must remain patient, compassionate, and composed, even in challenging situations.
Physical Demands
The role of a teacher involves various physical demands due to the nature of working with students. These demands may include:
- Mobility: Moving around the classroom, assisting students with mobility challenges, and transitioning between activities.
- Lifting: Occasionally lifting and arranging classroom materials.
- Sitting and Standing: Engaging with students, teachers, and activities while both sitting and standing for extended periods.
- Adapting to Student Needs: Quickly responding to unexpected situations, such as helping a student who is experiencing a behavioral challenge.
Safety Measures
- Safety Protocols: Following established safety protocols and guidelines to ensure the physical and emotional well-being of all students.
- Proper Techniques: Utilizing appropriate techniques for assisting students with physical disabilities or behavioral challenges to prevent injury to both students and staff.
- Health Considerations: Adhering to health and hygiene standards and being mindful of any allergies or medical conditions that students may have.
All of our teachers hold dual credentials: a California teaching credential (with ELL authorization) and a Montessori credential. For the California teaching credential, we are looking for applicants who have their California Multiple Subject credential or who will be intern-eligible by July 1.
Please note that California now has additional requirements for TK teachers. A TK teacher must have either:
* 24 units of early childhood education
* 1 year of experience being a preschool or TK teacher
* Early Childhood permit from the CTC (or an Early Childhood Montessori credential)
While we prioritize applicants who are already Montessori trained, we realize that most applicants will need Montessori training after they are hired.
HOW DO I GET MONTESSORI TRAINED?
Montessori training is age based, with different training for ages 3-6, 6-9, 9-12, and 12-18. These trainings take between 1-2 years to complete, often taken concurrently while working as a teacher in a classroom. California Montessori Project (CMP) will pay the tuition of Montessori training for the ages/grades in a teacher's classroom. Since CMP pays for the tuition, the teacher won't receive the Montessori certificate stipend (that appears on the pay scale) until year five of working with CMP.
Interested in learning more about Montessori? AMS has a short article on it here: https://amshq.org/About-Montessori/What-Is-Montessori
WHAT DO I NEED IN MY APPLICATION?
Be sure to also completely fill out the application and attach all of the following. Please note that failure to follow directions could lead to non-consideration.
- Certificate Copy (copy of Montessori credential, if applicable)
- Copy of Transcript
- Credential Document Number
- Letter of Introduction (include grade and campus location preferences)
- Letter(s) of Recommendation (3 recent letters of reference attesting to your professional attributes)
- Other (3 professional references, with at least one from someone in a supervisory role)
- Resume
