Director

The Dothan Montessori School Director leads the day-to-day operations of the school, supervises and supports teacher development through regular observation, performance feedback, professional development and formal reviews, builds parent community through written communication, regular family gatherings, parent education and by opening the school to parents regularly. The Director represents the school in the broader community, and manages fundraising events. The Director serves as a liaison with the Board to ensure the actualization and continuation of the mission and vision of Dothan Montessori School.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

1. Strong leadership qualities to include: organization, planning, dependability, problem solving, consistency and follow through.

2. Strong interpersonal skills to include: communication, collaboration, compassion, an effective motivator, and adeptness at managing different personalities.

3. Strong knowledge of early childhood development, and the Montessori philosophy and/or passion for learning about the Montessori philosophy.

4. Orientated to a growth mindset: energetic, creative, curious, honest, inspired, flexible, motivated, innovative.

Required Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Early Childhood Education or Education preferred.

2 years in school leadership preferred.

2 years in Montessori school setting preferred.

Strong understanding of Montessori philosophy and/or commitment to developing a strong understanding is required.

Primary areas of responsibility include:

Leads the Dothan Montessori School community by setting an example of excellence. Communicates the mission and vision of Dothan Montessori School to all stakeholders, and leads in accordance with the mission and vision of the school. Ensures school procedures are being followed. Consults best practices and collaborates with Board and staff to develop procedures and policies.

Leads and manages staff.

Supervises teachers in curriculum development and planning, regularly observes classrooms.

Follows Lead Teachers’ recommendations about children transitioning from Early Primary to Primary.

Organizes professional development for staff.

Organizes and facilitates at minimum two parent education experiences, one in the fall and one in the spring. Collaborates with teachers who are expected to support these sessions.

Creates an agenda and conducts weekly staff meetings, and communicates regularly with staff. Conveys information to staff in a timely fashion and appropriate setting. Only interrupts classroom time to communicate matters that are truly urgent.

Establishes a regular mode and consistent cadence of communication to families about school-wide information.

Builds parent community through written communication, regular family gatherings, parent education and by opening the school to parents regularly.

Maintains school directory.

Manages enrollment, which includes processing all student applications, managing a waiting pool, maintaining admitted student records (up to date information and vaccination forms) and releasing pertinent student files to other schools when requested.

Coordinates and leads open houses and tours.

Responds promptly (within 24-hrs during normal business weeks) to messages via phone and e-mail, and sets away messages when absent.

Maintains school website with accurate and timely information.

Regularly updates school social media accounts (1/week).

Markets DMS to targeted outlets.

Maintains databases of fundraising information, current students, prospective students, and alumni.

Provides a monthly summary of activity to the Board of Directors and participates in monthly Board meetings as a non-voting member.

Coordinates with accountant and Board Treasurer to ensure accurate record keeping.

Proposes and manages annual budget in coordination with Board Treasurer and accountant.

Monitors and oversees maintenance of the school facility, including outdoor grounds.

Coordinates professional maintenance services.

Makes regular bank deposits.

Procures office supplies for the school office.

Procures or coordinates school snack from SAMS, delivers to the school and puts away.

Coordinates site visits with Alabama Department of Human Resources, and fire and health inspections.

Hours:

Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. while school is in session. The Director is also expected to be on campus as needed to permit building and classroom maintenance, to coordinate staff and/or parent meetings, and to lead tours and supervise open houses. The job requires the Director to run school-related errands such as procuring school snack and office supplies, banks deposits or similar responsibilities. During the summer months, the Director is on campus as-needed for tours, to collect mail and for building maintenance, and responds promptly to e-mails and phone calls.

Job Type: Full-time

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to Commute:

• Dothan, AL 36301 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Dothan, AL 36301: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person