STEAM & Extensions Coordinator in Chicago, Illinois at Near North Montessori School

Supervision

• Ensure the delivery of STEAM-oriented, project-based learning
• Stay abreast of the latest research on and best practices in STEAM-education
• Observe teachers on a regular basis; meet with individual teachers on a face-to-face basis to offer feedback
• Work with teachers on best practices of unit-planning and lesson-planning, directly connected to the Scope and Sequence
• Work with teachers on classroom management best practices
• Work with teachers and Learning Specialist to accommodate individual students learning differences
• Work with teachers, Academic Directors, and families to address student misbehaviors and conflict
• Complete and review teacher appraisals, twice per school year
• Function as a substitute teacher when there are teacher absences; help coordinate absences and coverage

Communication

• Share STEAM events and activities through the This Week and the school’s social media
• Organize, develop and facilitate STEAM events and activities
• Work with teachers to develop and enhance information provided to parents and families about the work in the Extensions classes (e.g., through Progress Reports and/or Parent Conferences)
• Work with Academic Directors to share out student profiles in advance of the start of a new Extension class rotation
• Work with the Band Director to recruit band students and “rebuild” the band after several years of declining participation
• Highlight and promote the benefits of music education

Visionary

• Work with Extension teachers, classroom teachers and Academic Directors to clarify and refine the purposes of Open Studio
• Work with Extensions teachers and classroom teachers to ensure everyone knows what options are available during the Open Studio time
• Work with Extension teachers to ensure appropriate progress on the Scope and Sequence
• Work with Music teachers on the Scope and Sequence
• Work with Music teachers on planning, preparing for and communicating about performances

Leadership

• Attend monthly Leadership Meetings with HoS
• Organize and facilitate monthly Extension teacher meetings
• Attend monthly Faculty Meetings

Education

• Bachelor's Degree

Experience Preferred

• School leadership experience
• Middle school teaching experience
• Preferred but not required: Montessori training and Montessori classroom experience
• Beneficial for the work, but not required: Elementary teaching experience

Specific Skills Required

• Demonstrated ability to lead projects with different priorities and varying timelines
• Excellent written and spoken communication and organization skills with a keen ability to be both responsive and proactive
• Demonstrated ability to be flexible and creative with scheduling and working with community members
• Exhibit high levels of responsibility and initiative, due to the autonomous nature of the position
• Ability to develop curriculum, plan lessons and integrate curriculum with farm related learning and principles of sustainability
• An understanding and willingness to learn Montessori educational philosophy
• An ability to teach, work with and supervise students of a wide range of ages, abilities and interests
• Volunteer management
• Ability to work well with others including internal and external customers
• Work shifts between the outdoor farm and school settings
• Field trips, some requiring overnight stays at campgrounds, hotels and other places while supervising students
• Take precautions to ensure the health and safety of all children, parents, staff and themselves
• Ability to clean and maintain equipment and facility, and move throughout the community with children