Teaching Opportunities
Magic Lantern Montessori 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 currently seeking applicants for the Program Director position. (A job description can be found below.)
To apply for the position, please send a cover letter, resumé or CV and at least three references to:
Magic Lantern Montessori
C/O Hiring Committee, Connie Walker Gray
4620 S. Findlay Street
Seattle, WA 98118
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Additionally, 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
Program Director
Position Summary:
The Program Director oversees operations of MLM. The Program Director, under the supervision of the parent run Board of Directors (“Board”), sets the direction and maintains high educational standards for the school. The Program Director is the first point of contact for the school and is a liaison between the school (teaching team and staff) and the Board and also serves as a liaison to the wider community. The Program Director enforces MLM's non-discrimination policy. The Program Director supervises the MLM teachers and fosters a cohesive teaching team. The ideal candidate will be Montessori accredited with extensive experience as a Montessori teacher and/or administrator.
The Program Director position requires exemplary written and verbal communication skills, leadership skills, a commitment to customer service, problem-solving and conflict resolution experience, must understand and work to implement the MLM mission.
Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities of Position:
• Demonstrate management skills including the following areas: staff management, financial management, and crisis/ emergency management;
• 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 an orderly and productive school environment;
• Implement Magic Lantern Montessori policies and mission.
Administrative Responsibilities:
• Partner with the Board, teachers and staff, and parent committees to determine and guide the overall direction of the school;
• Oversee programmatic, staffing and operational aspects of any potential school expansion;
• Complete necessary licensure paperwork and procedures per established state protocol;
• Oversee and maintain state licensure compliance;
• Maintain regular communication with the Board, including monthly written and oral reports;
• Manage the Magic Lantern Budget: Montessori, Cooking and Art programs, provide information to the MLM Treasurer on budgeting issues;
• Advise the Board in a timely fashion of any developments or operational issues which may affect the school, staff, or the organization's well-being; Ensure follow-up on Board decisions identify/advise Board of issues that need to be addressed and followed up;
• Update and disperse MLM Handbook; Communicate and enforce school policies;
• Establish and maintain clear, effective communication with parents;
• Take responsibility for overall school and staff security and exercise judgment to efficiently manage crisis situations;
• Oversee, review, and update school policies, in cooperation with the Board;
• Maintain updated records/files for all MLM employees;
• Work with the MLM IT committee to update the school website, create website advertisements for recruitment purposes, and maintain the School calendar;
• Coordinate classroom supply procurement and notify parent volunteers of supplies needed.
Supervision of Teaching Staff:
• Manage staffing/scheduling to meet needs of the classroom while maintaining balance and ratio requirements;
• Train/mentor staff when needed, providing ongoing constructive supervision and feedback;
• Actively participate in Interviewing and hiring of staff;
• Complete minimum yearly Performance Evaluations with teaching staff;
• Manage staff performance and terminate staff with Boards' approval; document all disciplinary steps as well as terminations;
• Conduct employee orientation with all new employees;
• Coordinate and lead two evening staff meetings per month.
Educational Program Responsibilities:
• Coordinate in-service training and program development for teachers, as well as educate staff and parents on Montessori principals and methods;
• Create a team staff approach to meet MLM goals;
• Attend required training and professional development, including but 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;
• Coordinate with the teachers organizing two Parent Teacher conferences each year with each MLM family, ensure proper record keeping, and coordinate class coverage; attend conferences as needed; schedule and participate in formal and informal parent-teacher conferences when needed;
• Maintain a classroom substitute pool;
• Coordinate classroom field trips.
Enrollment Responsibilities:
• Coordinate with a committee to manage the enrollment process (advertising, respond to inquiries, schedule tours, coordinate Open Houses materials, forms and staff, coordinate letters of intent, coordinate fall and summer schedule and budgeting during the summer enrollment);
• Organize and attend two Open House events per year, usually scheduled in January;
• Manage requests from families for extra days and late fees.
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 required
4. Age 21 or over
5. Proven supervisory and management skills
6. Demonstrated ability to relate to parents and community
7. Knowledge of child development, curriculum planning and guidance techniques
8. Willing to embrace multiple methods of educating young children
Salary Range/Time Commitment
Part-time position: 30 hours/week, which includes occasional evening and weekend meetings. Salary commensurate with experience and credentials.
Cook and Cooking Program Job Description
Position Summary:
The Cooking Teacher is 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:
• Develop weekly meal plans and daily menus that include a diversity of foods and meet dietary requirements for preschool age children
• Keep menus on file in the office for parents and licensors to view at any time
• Prepare lunch daily for as many as 24 children and staff and prepare daily morning and afternoon snacks
• Preparing a safe, stimulating food preparation and lunchroom that invites the children to explore and grow. Set tables for lunch and snacks.
• Involve children with food preparation and handling
• Maintain a clean kitchen in accordance with Health Department requirements; clean and tidy daily as needed
Food Shopping Responsibilities:
• Develop shopping list based on weekly meal plans and purchase necessary supplies
• Notify the appropriate staff or parent-volunteer as additional supplies are needed and coordinate with parent volunteers on Costco orders
Teaching-Related Responsibilities:
• Establish and maintain good communication with parents through parent-teacher conferences, telephone contact, and informal conversations at school, weekly notes communicating any food issues
• Work with other teachers to develop curriculum, classroom themes or events related to food, culture and/or the environment and that encourage healthy eating habits
• Interact with the children with warmth, humor, respect and support. Use appropriate positive guidance and discipline techniques with the children.
• Attending required training and professional development.
• Attend meetings as set forth in the attached contract as well as required training and professional development; Attend two open house events per year, usually scheduled in January
• Observe, record or report significant group and individual behavior to Montessori Lead Teacher
• Maintain appropriate personal certifications as required for licensing, such as First Aid and CPR, and a Food Handler’s Permit posted visibly
Qualifications:
• Ability to manage a diverse kitchen/teaching environment
• Experience with meal planning and preparation of group meals as well as experience working with children in a kitchen setting. Prior vegetarian cooking experience is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of nutritional needs of preschool-age children and health department requirements
• At least 21 years old
• Montessori training is highly desirable
• Ability to relate sensitively and joyfully to children and adults. Evidence of an open mind, willingness to embrace multiple methods of educating young children.
• Willingness and ability to foster a harmonious, collegial teaching team based on mutual respect
• Evidence of sufficient security and judgment to be able to handle a crisis and to use supervision constructively
• Ability to recognize and report significant individual and group behaviors. Ability to use appropriate positive discipline
Magic Lantern Philosophy
Magic Lantern Montessori is a non-profit preschool, located in Rainier Valley. The school provides an intimate environment that nurtures children, parents, staff and emphasizes community and diversity through program teaching and family participation. The program provides a rich, diverse curriculum that touches on many different aspects of life, family and community. At Magic Lantern, we use the Montessori philosophy to create an environment that is creative and nurturing allowing the children to grow, learn and discover to their fullest potential. Our dedicated teachers and staff foster a strong sense of community; empower children to develop respect for self, others and the environment; and build a strong academic foundation for a lifetime of learning.
At Magic Lantern we believe a healthy understanding of diet and exercise is perhaps as critical to nurturing our children into strong and functioning adults as a solid educational foundation. The earlier children enter the kitchen to help prepare their own food the earlier they begin to learn the value of healthy eating habits. We strive to develop this foundation by providing a healthy diet centered on whole, organic foods. Special care is taken to avoid refined sugars focusing on a vegetarian diet with ample beans, legumes, dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Most importantly, the children participate and engage in the preparation of their snacks and lunches each day introducing them to the wonderful and creative ways they can make decisions about their bodies and lead healthy and active lives. At Magic Lantern, the cooking program is integrated with other school programs so the children can learn about life, culture, and the environment, through food.
School Expectations:
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.