Middle School Program Director

Details

Posted: 05-Mar-25

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Type: Full Time

Categories

Director of Studies/Curriculum

Salary Details

Salary to based on educational credentials and years of experience

Required Education

4 Year Degree

Position Summary

The Middle School Program Director leads the academic program for seventh and eighth grade under the Principal's guidance. Working closely with a team of five to seven teachers, the Program Director guides students' academic, emotional and physical development in a Montessori environment ensuring each child reaches their full potential.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities

Middle School Programming:

• Develop and implement appropriate program curricula that are in keeping with the Montessori philosophy and prepare children for high school and the world.
• Observe classrooms regularly to ensure effective instruction and classroom management.
• Work with the Middle School Teachers to assess each classroom's material needs and facilitate the purchase and distribution of materials.
• Oversee the budget for classroom material and furniture, staying within budget guidelines.
• Depending on the children's needs, teach one 8th grade Math class each school year, either Geometry or Algebra.
  
  

Supervisory

• Supervise the Middle School Teachers and Assistants, providing guidance, training, and coaching through meetings and performances evaluations as necessary.
• In collaboration with the Educational Director, supervise the co-curricular teachers, the School Counselor, and the Learning Specialist Coordinator, providing guidance, training, and coaching through meetings and performance evaluations as necessary.
• Manage the coverage needs and help create and oversee sub plans for when Middle School teachers are present. This includes sometimes stepping in to teach classes as needed across all subjects.
• Assist in the professional development of teaching staff, including in-service programs.
  
  

Child Assessment

• Meet with teachers and parents regarding behavioral, academic, or social/emotional needs.
• Work with the Coordinator of Academic Support and other designated professionals to support children, parents, and staff with learning differences.
• Provide input to the Admissions Director or Principal on recommendations for prospective student admittance decisions.
• Make recommendations for testing or special needs services to the Principal.
• Coordinate parent meetings and follow up on recommendations, providing one-on-one support as necessary.
  
  

High School Admittance Process

• Support and mentor all students and families in understanding the High School landscape in Chicago, public, parochial and independent
• Hold 1:1 conferences for each student annually to provide individualized counselling.
• Plan, facilitate, and communicate an annual High School Fair.
• Stay abreast of current testing requirements.
  
  

Student Travel and Relationship Management

• Oversee and run the Montessori Model United Nations Program (MMUN), which is run as an afterschool offering for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. This includes figuring out the cost, planning all the travel, completing the registration promptly to ensure that we can participate, teaching the MMUN class weekly, overseeing the other teachers who help with the program, tracking their hours, and serving as the lead Chaperone on the March trip to NYC.
• Plan and manage all class trips (fall trip, Washington DC, Costa Rica). This includes setting the trip budget, planning the travel, and serving as the lead chaperone on domestic and international trips.
• Oversee and build a relationship with St. Benedict School in Costa Rica to continue fostering and growing the Chicago visit/homestay program at RPMS.
  
  

Communication

• Maintain open communication with the teaching staff regarding classroom management, curriculum, and student progress and development.
• Communicate and work effectively with the Program Directors (s) to ensure clear communication channels.
• Approve all communication sent from Middle School Teachers to parents.
• Communicate and cooperate with the Administration on program changes.
• Communicate effectively with children and Parents.
  
  

Testing and Progress Reports

• Plan testing schedule, including communication with families, planning, organizing, and ordering practice test material, and ordering tests and test school reports.
• Analyze test results to determine new curriculum goals, including developing implementation plans.
• Organize progress reports, edit progress reports, print and organize all progress reports.
• Plan parent/teacher conferences, including communicating with parents regarding progress reports and conferences.
• Manage and oversee the High School Admittance Process, including supporting both parents and students.
  
  

General Administration

• Assist the Principal in developing and implementing school policies and procedures, adult orientation, and educational design.
• Plan the weekly staff meeting agendas, facilitate and oversee the staff meeting, and provide minutes/notes as required.
• Prepare annual goals, participate in peer consultations and self-evaluations, and consult with the Principal regarding professional growth and development.
• Assist with other projects, programs, and planning as assigned by the Principal.
  
  

Competencies

• Strong communication skills, including the ability to effectively communicate with children.
• High ethical standards
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to work effectively as a team member.
• Flexibility and openness to new ideas
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and Montessori certification
• Experience with and understanding of the development of adolescents
• Ability to fulfill requirements of all state and local licensing agencies affecting RPMS
  
  

Create a Job Alert for Similar Jobs

About Rogers Park Montessori School

Nestled in the Bowmanville neighborhood just 10 miles north of Downtown Chicago, Rogers Park Montessori School, established in 1966, serves children ages 2-14. We have a proud tradition of teacher collaboration and support. The students, teaching faculty, and parents of our two toddler classrooms, six 3-6 classrooms, five 6-9 classrooms, four 9-12 classrooms, and one Middle School classroom comprise a close-knit school community.

Connections working at Rogers Park Montessori School

https://careers.nais.org/jobs/21130010/middle-school-program-director