Lead Teacher - Montessori Lower Elementary

Position Job Description

Job Title: Innovation Lead Teacher / Innovation Intervention
Date Prepared: February 10, 2021
Salary Range: Based on the Teacher Salary Scale
Work Year: 187 - 189 Contact Days/School Year (1 Jul – 30 Jun)
Exempt/Non-Exempt: EXEMPT
Benefits Eligible: Yes, if work scheduled for 30 or more hours per week
Reports To: Principal
Supervisor: Principal or Assistant Principal
Direct Report(s): None; may provide input on Educational Assistant(s) supervision & evaluation

YOU MUST APPLY THROUGH THE JEFFCO JOB BOARD
https://www.jeffcopublicschools.org/employment/jobs

POSITION SUMMARY:
The Free Horizon Montessori School teacher understands and promotes the school’s mission, vision, objectives, and policies both within and outside the immediate school community. The teacher is responsible for providing a strong Montessori classroom/instructional program that supports the individual needs of each child in accordance with the school’s mission, vision, and District and State policies. Innovation Lead Teachers create lesson plans, instruct students on core subjects such as science, literature, and math, and demonstrates well-rounded, comprehensive instructional preparedness based on the
School’s Core Curriculum.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• BA/BS degree from an accredited institution of higher learning
• Colorado Teacher License in content area or attain In-Field Status in content area (formerly referred to as Highly

Qualified) as defined by state and federal guidelines by passing the appropriate exam as accepted by the Colorado
Department of Education. Official documentation of Colorado Teaching License and/or appropriate exam must be submitted prior to offer of employment. o The last administration of all PLACE exams and the NES exam was May 6, 2017; passing test scores will be accepted for five years until May 6, 2022, for current, correlating endorsement areas only. Please consult the endorsement page of the Colorado Department of Education website for a list of current and discontinued endorsements.

• Montessori credential from a MACTE-accredited training program at the level of current teaching assignment required of general education classroom Lead Teachers o This requirement is waived for Specialist Lead Teachers. o This requirement may be waived for general education classroom Lead Teachers at the discretion of the Principal for previous experience in Montessori methodology and a willingness to complete

Montessori training/credentialing within a specified period of time from date of hire. Any variance shall be made in writing.

• 3 years of successful lead teaching experience preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

The incumbent must:

• Be a strong, clear communicator, with the ability to speak and write with clarity, correct grammar, empathy, and in a pleasant and timely manner
• Adapt well to change, show flexibility and resourcefulness, and welcome collaboration
• Possess knowledge of Colorado Common Core Content Standards and Montessori lessons, and be able to deliver lessons to successfully engage students in learning these core skills

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• Have an ability to creatively and effectively assure Colorado Common Core Standards are met within a Montessori context and approach
• Maintain consistent composure and the ability to remain calm and professional in the midst of chaos and regular interruptions
• Address challenges with maturity, seeking support as appropriate
• Be organized with attention to details and aesthetics
• Show evidence of successful effective classroom management
• Possess strong computer skills with ability to learn and work proficiently within varying software environments including but not limited to Microsoft Office suite, Google suite, Infinite Campus and Jeffco Connect, and other

Montessori programs and assessment systems

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Following is a general summary of the essential duties and responsibilities for this position. This list is comprehensive but not inclusive of all responsibilities that might occur on a day-to-day basis.

• Abide by FHM requirements for curriculum and instruction that include a defined scope and sequence that is consistent with Montessori philosophy and integrates Jeffco Public Schools/Colorado State standards and expectations o Plan, supervise and implement a consistent and sequential educational program that stimulates learning in the cognitive, affective, social, creative and physical areas of development o Compare and evaluate instruction to educational outcome expectations as put forth by Jeffco Public Schools and the State of Colorado and enhance program to meet and exceed such standards o Review current research in content area to enhance curriculum and instruction and ensure both rigor and vitality in educational program. o Organize an appropriate and enriched and integrated educational curriculum, including field trips, guest speakers, and other enhanced learning opportunities through collaboration with other staff members o Gear educational program to the needs of individual students with concern for their interests, special talents, special needs and individual style of learning o Assure consistency of educational opportunities and experiences among all classrooms within a level o Collaborate with colleagues both within the department and other departments
• Differentiate instruction in order to meet the needs of each child within the class o Utilize mastery-level groupings for instruction as appropriate in order to maximize instructional time
• Implement and document results of Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 interventions administered through the Multi-Tiered

Systems of Support (MTSS) process

• Fulfill goal setting, reporting, and accommodations requirements for students with Section 504 Plans (504’s),

Individualized Education Plans (IEP’s) and Advance Learning Plans (ALP’s) in a timely manner, meeting all established deadlines

• Keep timely and accurate records of student work, lessons, and progress using the school’s established record-keeping systems
• Evaluate and assess each student’s progress in a meaningful and consistent manner that promotes understanding by students, parents, and colleagues with a focus on supporting student development and achievement. o Assessment is considered ongoing and integral to individualizing education o Assessment includes recording and reporting per FHM, Jeffco Public Schools and Colorado State requirements
• Keep accurate attendance records of students as required by school and District policies, including daily attendance completed in Campus (or provided to School Secretary if Campus is unavailable) no later than 15 minutes past the program’s official school day start time
• Administer and/or proctor standardized assessments following prescribed protocols as required by the School, Jeffco

Public Schools, and the State of Colorado

• Help students become aware of their roles as integral members of a community by modeling and guiding respectful and responsible behavior at all times
• Support independence of students by balancing empathy and trust in each student’s ability to succeed and learn from each moment
• Follow discipline and behavior management procedures as outlined in the Employee Handbook in accordance with

School and District policies, including consistent utilization/implementation of behavioral programs adopted by theSchool including Social Thinking, Love & Logic, No-Nonsense Nurturer, and Restorative Practices.Lead Teacher Job Description V 02/21/2021 page 2 of 4 * Implement methods for effective training and supervision of classroom assistants with attention to developing a team approach to meeting the needs of students

• Communicate in a fair, respectful, and professional manner with all students and their families, colleagues, and administrators
• Prepare and distribute written communication in a timely manner to describe special activities in class to parents and staff, including Classroom newsletter, parent and staff response within two school days, and other communications as needed o Utilize only District and/ or school approved methods of communication.
• Prepare and send monthly communication to parents describing on-going classroom works and special topics/events.

This may be incorporated into departmental newsletters.

• Complete all child-related paperwork and learning records on a daily/weekly/monthly/ yearly basis as required and copy for permanent educational record as necessary.
• Conduct Parent Conferences as scheduled covering each student’s educational development, school adjustment and behavior utilizing the school’s conference forms
• Plan and implement methods of establishing a positive relationship with parents of each student
• Work as an integral team member to ensure the smooth coordination of all classroom activities plus staff and student inter-relationships
• Share the responsibility for the safety and physical wellbeing of the students at all times
• Assume an equal share of staff’s joint housekeeping responsibilities with attention to keeping the environment ordered, clean, supplied and in good repair
• Be responsible for an organized arrangement, appearance, decor and learning environment
• Create and prepare materials as needed
• Integrate competencies, goals, and objectives into lesson plans
• Develop and maintain an accurate inventory of materials for the classroom
• Attend required scheduled events, staff meetings and parent education seminars as required, including: (Specials Lead

Teachers have three mandatory) o MANDATORY:

§ Back-to-School Event (August)
§ Moving Up & Choice Enrollment Events (usually held between November and January)
§ Annual State of the School Meeting (April; virtual attendance may be available)
§ Parent Education Night(s) o Position Specific Mandatory:
§ Lead Primary, Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, and Middle School teachers including Enrollment

Information Nights and Parent Teacher conferences.
§ Lead Teacher Primary, Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, and Middle School attendance at all school field trips including overnight trips.
§ Lead Teacher Music events include talent show, specials gala, school musical, and one performance per trimester.
§ Lead Teacher Art events include specials gala, all district art events including set up and take down as well as hallway art displays, changed each trimester at minimum.
§ Lead Teacher PE events include including specials gala, Fun Run, and field day.

• Participate in recommended training programs, educational conferences and other courses pertinent to professional growth, minimum of two per year.
• Assure any programs used for Intervention purposes are approved by the school, District and / or Colorado Department of Education prior to implementation.
• Maintain professional attitudes and behavior and loyalty to the school at all times, in both internal and external communications
• Gracefully accept all other tasks as assigned by administration

DECISION MAKING: Frequently requires autonomy of decision making within the predefined parameters of applicable school, District, State, and Federal guidelines and policies.

COMPLEXITY OF WORK: Always requires analytical skills, independent critical thinking, and considerable judgment.

Lead Teacher Job Description V 02/21/2021 page 3 of 4

The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Hours may vary when specific needs arise, and some extended schedules may be necessary. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, talk and hear, and taste or smell. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel.
The employee is frequently required to sit; and occasionally climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and infrequently lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include frequent use of close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

MENTAL FUNCTIONS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to compare, analyze, communicate, evaluate, use interpersonal skills, compile, and negotiate. The employee frequently is required to copy, instruct, compute, and synthesize.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

OTHER WORKING CONDITIONS: Infrequent overnight travel may be required (< 2%).

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: Free Horizon Montessori affirms that no person shall, on the basis of race, creed, color, age, national origin, religion, gender identity, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or veteran status be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefit of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity, including, but not limited to, employment or enrollment. Sexual orientation is a person's orientation toward heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, or perception of the individual's sexual orientation.

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Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $37,000.00 - $87,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Golden, CO 80401: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Experience:

• Teaching: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: One location