Montessori Coordinator (PreK-3 REG Gen Ed)

About the role

The School-Based Montessori Coordinator supports the Department of Advanced Learning & Specialty Programs in instructional development, change management, and school-level continuous improvement to drive success for all students. They focus on enriching the lives of students in Chicago Public Schools through Montessori Education.

Responsibilities

• Implement a strategic action plan and continuous improvement strategies founded in the CPS Framework for Montessori Education & the Essential Elements of Montessori Practice in the public sector to positively impact student-based outcomes in their assigned school.
• Build the day-to-day instructional capacity of classroom teachers and school administrators at their assigned school to deliver core district priorities for Montessori Education.
• Provide differentiated instructional support by working directly with teachers in the classroom, collaborating with grade-level teams, providing professional learning and coaching, and working with school-based leadership teams to actualize Common Core State Standards implementation through Montessori Education instructional strategies school-wide.
• Serve on the school-based Montessori Leadership Team, the Instructional Leadership Team, and the CIWP Team to integrate Montessori Education throughout the school and core curriculum.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, Master’s degree in Education, Curriculum and Instruction, or Educational Leadership preferred.
• Certification: Valid standard teaching certificate (Type 03, Type 09, or Type 10) issued by the Illinois State Board of Education with appropriate grade level and content level endorsements (Reading, Language Arts, Math, Science, or Special Education), required. Endorsement in at least one of the Montessori age groupings (Early Childhood (3-6 year olds), Elementary I (6-9 year olds), Elementary II (9-12 year olds)), required. Type 75 Certificate issued by the Illinois State Board of Education (or equivalent certificate from outside Illinois), preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of four (4) years of classroom teaching experience, with demonstrated experience in implementing Montessori Education strategies, required. Minimum of two (2) years of experience working with adult learners, including coaching, and designing and facilitating professional development to classroom teachers and school leaders, preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Strong knowledge of Montessori Education, school-wide implementation, and best practices.
• Ability to use multiple data sources to set measurable goals and strategically plan to complete the goals.
• Ability to define problems, analyze data, and develop action plans as part of a continuous improvement cycle.
• Excellent collaboration skills.
• Excellent communication skills: writing, speaking, and listening.
• Knowledge of research-based school improvement models and strategies.