Teaching Opportunities

Magic Lantern Montessori Preschool is a year round, all-day preschool for children ages three to six that incorporates the Montessori philosophy and materials with a cooking and creative arts program. The school was founded in 2001 by local parents and remains a parent run organization dedicated to providing a community based school organized for working parents and their children.

We are always looking for well-qualified substitute teachers.

Please contact the school for more information
Magic Lantern Montessori
4620 S. Findlay Street
Seattle WA 98118
206-722-2803

Job Descriptions

Montessori Lead Teacher

Position Summary:
The Montessori Lead Teacher oversees the day-to-day classroom operations of Magic Lantern Montessori, and leads the morning classroom session. This provides the ability to set direction and provide direct impact in the classroom. The Montessori Lead Teacher will be responsible for creating a warm, nurturing, safe environment in which individuality is respected and independence is encouraged in both teachers and children. Children will be instructed in Montessori works using appropriate Montessori materials. The Montessori Lead Teacher will collaborate with the other teachers, plan curriculum, foster a cohesive teaching team and maintain consistency throughout the morning for the children.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities of Position
• Demonstrate a childcare background
• Prepare a safe, stimulating classroom that invites the children to explore and grow
• Maintain a professional attitude
• Focus program to meet emotional, physical, intellectual and social needs of the individual as well as the group
• Interact with the children with warmth, humor, respect and support
• Monitor and maintain of an orderly and clean classroom environment

Teaching Responsibilities:
• Set the tone for the classroom and school; model good interaction with children
• Manage and coordinate overall classroom activities, and schedules as relate to students, parents, and teachers, assuring all parties are informed of any changes
• Introduce children to appropriate Montessori materials
• Coordinate child specific needs with teaching staff
• Use appropriate positive guidance and discipline techniques with the children
• Observe, record, and report significant group and individual behavior
• Be part of a team staff approach to meet Magic Lantern Montessori’s goals
• Perform fire drills and earthquake drills as required by licensing and recording such actions appropriately
• Attend required training and professional development, including by not limited to a minimum of 10 hours per year of STARS training, per licensing requirements
• Maintain appropriate personal certifications as required by licensing, such as First Aid and CPR

Administrative Duties:
• Establish and maintain good communication with parents through telephone contact and informal conversations in the classroom , weekly notes
• Schedule and participate in formal & informal parent-teacher conferences when needed along w/teachers. ( two/year)
• Demonstrate sufficient security and judgment to handle a crisis and to use supervision constructively
• Attend two evening staff meetings per month
• Along with Director, assure that the School is in compliance with licensing, health and safety requirements
• Attend two Open House events per year, usually scheduled in January and 2 parent meetings in the fall
  
EDUCATION/MINIMUM LICENSING QUALIFICATIONS

1. Must possess an educational equivalent equal to a BA or AA/CDA and have completed the twenty hours of STARS training   
2. Two years experience in the field of early childhood education and forty-five college credits in early childhood education or a closely related field 
3. Montessori training and certification
4. Age 21 or over
5. Demonstrated ability to relate to parents and community
6. Knowledge of child development, curriculum planning and guidance techniques
7. Ability to supervise aides and other personnel
8. Willing to embrace multiple methods of educating young children


Full-Time Assistant Teacher Job Description

Position Summary:
The Assistant Teacher will be responsible for assisting the Montessori Lead, Creative Arts, and Cooking Teachers in creating a warm, nurturing, safe environment for up to 20 children, in which individuality is respected and independence is encouraged. Children will be encouraged to express their creativity through planned activities and projects, imaginative play, music, movement and free play. Although the Assistant Teacher may not have direct Montessori training or experience, an open mind and a willingness to learn, understand and model Montessori principles are vital.

Essential Responsibilities:
a. Maintaining a professional attitude.
b. Assisting with the preparation of a safe, stimulating classroom that invites the children to explore and grow.
c. Interacting with the children with warmth, humor, respect and support.
d. Observing, recording and reporting significant group and individual behavior.
e. Maintaining a neat and orderly classroom, helping with cleaning and tidying daily as needed.
f. Establishing and maintaining positive communication with parents.
g. Using appropriate guidance and discipline techniques with the children.
h. Attending meetings as set forth by the director/staff supervisor.
i. Attending required training and professional development, per licensing requirements.
j. Attending two ‘open house’ events per year, usually scheduled in January.
k. Notifying the appropriate person of supplies needs.
l. Maintaining appropriate personal certifications as required for licensing, such as First Aid and CPR.

Qualifications:
1. Must be at least 18 years old
2. Ability to relate sensitively and joyfully to children and adults
3. Willingness and ability to take on a variety of tasks throughout the day
4. Willingness and ability to foster a harmonious, collegial teaching team based on mutual respect
5. Evidence of an open mind, and a willingness to embrace multiple methods of educating young children
6. Demonstrates sufficient judgment regarding security, an ability to handle crises, and safe supervision
7. Flexibility
8. Physical stamina and dependability
9. Ability to recognize and report significant individual and group behaviors
10. Ability to use appropriate positive discipline

Salary Range/Time Commitment:

The 2008-2009 school year for an Assistant Teacher is a full-time position (40 hours/week) with a salary based upon experience and credentials. Health insurance stipend is included.

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Part-Time Assistant Teacher Job Description

Position Summary:
The Assistant Teacher will be responsible for assisting the Montessori Lead, Creative Arts, and Cooking Teachers in creating a warm, nurturing, safe environment for up to 20 children, in which individuality is respected and independence is encouraged. Children will be encouraged to express their creativity through planned activities and projects, imaginative play, music, movement and free play. Although the Assistant Teacher may not have direct Montessori training or experience, an open mind and a willingness to learn, understand and model Montessori principles are vital.

Essential Responsibilities:
a. Maintaining a professional attitude
b. Assisting with the preparation of a safe, stimulating classroom that invites the children to explore and grow.
c. Interacting with the children with warmth, humor, respect and support
d. Observing, recording and reporting significant group and individual behavior
e. Maintaining a neat and orderly classroom, helping with cleaning and tidying daily as needed
f. Establishing and maintaining positive communication with parents
g. Using appropriate guidance and discipline techniques with the children
h. Attending meetings as set forth by the director/staff supervisor
i. Attending required training and professional development, per licensing requirements
j. Attending two ‘open house’ events per year, usually scheduled in January
k. Notifying the appropriate person of supplies needs
l. Maintaining appropriate personal certifications as required for licensing, such as First Aid and CPR

Qualifications:
a. Must be at least 18 years old
b. Ability to relate sensitively and joyfully to children and adults
c. Willingness and ability to take on a variety of tasks throughout the day
d. Willingness and ability to foster a harmonious, collegial teaching team based on mutual respect
e. Evidence of an open mind, and a willingness to embrace multiple methods of educating young children
f. Demonstrates sufficient judgment regarding security, an ability to handle crises, and safe supervision
g. Flexibility
h. Physical stamina and dependability
i. Ability to recognize and report significant individual and group behaviors
j. Ability to use appropriate positive discipline

Salary range/Time Commitment:

The 2005-2006 school year for an Assistant Teacher is a part-time position (20 hours/week) with a salary based upon experience and credentials. Health insurance stipend is included.

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Creative Arts Teacher Job Description

Position Summary:
The Creative Arts Teacher oversees the afternoon classroom operations of Magic Lantern Montessori, and leads the afternoon classroom session. This provides the ability to set direction and provide direct impact in the classroom. The Teacher will be responsible for creating a warm, nurturing, safe environment in which individuality is respected and independence is encouraged in both teachers and children. Children will be instructed in Art Projects and Dancing/Movement using appropriate materials. The Creative Arts Teacher will collaborate with the other teachers, plan curriculum, foster a cohesive teaching team and maintain consistency throughout the morning for the children.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities of Position:
• Demonstrate a childcare background
• Prepare a safe, stimulating classroom that invites the children to explore and grow
• Maintain a professional attitude
• Focus program to meet emotional, physical, intellectual and social needs of the individual as well as the group
• Interact with the children with warmth, humor, respect and support
• Monitor and maintain of an orderly and clean classroom environment

Teaching Responsibilities:
• Set the tone for the classroom and school; model good interaction with children
• Manage and coordinate overall classroom activities, and schedules as relate to students, parents, and teachers, assuring all parties are informed of any changes
• Introduce children to appropriate Montessori materials
• Coordinate child specific needs with teaching staff
• Use appropriate positive guidance and discipline techniques with the children
• Observe, record, and report significant group and individual behavior
• Be part of a team staff approach to meet Magic Lantern Montessori’s goals
• Perform fire drills and earthquake drills as required by licensing and recording such actions appropriately
• Attend required training and professional development, including by not limited to a minimum of 10 hours per year of STARS training, per licensing requirements
• Maintain appropriate personal certifications as required by licensing, such as First Aid and CPR

Directing/Administrative Duties:
• Establish and maintain good communication with parents through telephone contact and informal conversations in the classroom
• Schedule and participate in formal & informal parent-teacher conferences when needed along w/teachers
• Demonstrate sufficient security and judgment to handle a crisis and to use supervision constructively
• Attend two evening staff meetings per month
• Along with Director, assure that the School is in compliance with licensing, health and safety requirements
• Attend two Open House events per year, usually scheduled in January

Education/Minimum Licensing Qualification

1. Must possess an educational equivalent equal to a BA or AA/CDA and have completed the twenty hours of STARS training
2. Two years experience in the field of early childhood education and forty-five college credits in early childhood education or a closely related field
3. Montessori training and certification
4. Age 21 or over
5. Demonstrated ability to relate to parents and community
6. Knowledge of child development, curriculum planning and guidance techniques
7. Ability to supervise aides and other personnel
8. Willing to embrace multiple methods of educating young children

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Cook and Cooking Program Job Description

Position Summary:
The Cooking Teacher will be responsible for creating a warm, nurturing, safe environment in the kitchen and eating area. Children will assist the Cooking Teacher in preparation of wholesome, nutritious, vegetarian snacks and lunches, while learning kitchen safety and basic social norms around food and eating. The Cooking Teacher will collaborate with the Montessori Lead and Creative Arts Teachers to plan curriculum and other classroom themes or events, fostering a cohesive teaching team and consistency throughout the day for the children.

Essential Cooking-Related Responsibilities:
• Managing the creation of a daily nutritious lunch for as many as 24 children and staff.
• Snack preparation, twice a day.
• Setting the tables for lunch.
• Introducing the children to aspects of food preparation and handling.
• Keeping menus on file in the office for parents and licensors to view at any time.
• Maintaining a clean kitchen in accordance with Health Department requirements, cleaning and tidying daily as needed.

Food Shopping Responsibilities:
• Notifying the appropriate person of supplies needs.
• Gearing the program to meet the emotional, physical, intellectual and social needs of the individual as well as the group.
• Preparing a safe, stimulating classroom that invites the children to explore and grow.

Teaching-Related Responsibilities:
• Establishing and maintaining good communication with parents through parent-teacher conferences, telephone contact, and informal conversations at school, weekly notes.
• Using appropriate positive guidance and discipline techniques with the children.
• Attending meetings as set forth in the attached contract.
• Attending required training and professional development.
• Attending two open house events per year, usually scheduled in January.
• Observing, recording or reporting significant group and individual behavior to Montessori Lead Teacher.
• Maintaining appropriate personal certifications as required for licensing, such as First Aid and CPR, and a Food Handler’s Permit posted visibly.
• Interacting with the children with warmth, humor, respect and support.

Qualifications:
• Must be at least 21 years old.
• Ability to manage a diverse kitchen/teaching environment.
• Experience working with children in a kitchen setting.
• Knowledge of nutritional needs of preschool-age children.
• Ability to relate sensitively and joyfully to children and adults.
• Willingness and ability to foster a harmonious, collegial teaching team based on mutual respect.
• Evidence of an open mind, willingness to embrace multiple methods of educating young children.
• Evidence of sufficient security and judgment to be able to handle a crisis and to use supervision constructively.
• Physical stamina and dependability.
• Ability to recognize and report significant individual and group behaviors.
• Ability to guide aides and other personnel.
• Ability to use appropriate positive discipline.


School Expectation:
All Magic Lantern employees will exercise caution and common sense with the children at all times, knowing who is in school, who is napping, who needs toileting, and so on. Each staff member will have clear and consistent expectations for every child. The teachers will encourage children to take responsibility for their behavior, understand consequences, and repair their mistakes.

All staff members will work cooperatively with one another as a team to create an environment consistent with the peaceful, respectful Montessori method.

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