Assistant Director - Early Learning & Montessori

Assistant Director - Early Learning & Montessori

Position Title: Assistant Director - Early Learning and Montessori

Location: Asbury Park

Reports to: Deputy Executive Director of Early Learning and Montessori

Bargaining Unit: N/A

Benefits Eligible: Yes

Telecommuting Eligibility: Not eligible for telecommuting

Position Summary:

A leadership position on the Early Learning and Montessori team, the Assistant Director of Early Learning leads initiatives and process improvements that are core to the functional success of the Early Learning and Montessori programs.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the following areas:
Elementary education, early childhood education, child development or related field

Valid Michigan Elementary Teaching Certification

Early Childhood endorsement (ZA/ZS) preferred

Master’s degree, with an emphasis in educational leadership or related field, preferred

Valid State of Michigan Administrator Certificate, preferred

At least 3 years early childhood and/or elementary classroom teaching experience, instructional leadership experience highly preferred

Essential Functions:

Support the district’s vision, mission and strategic plan for high-quality Montessori instruction by leveraging proven instructional framework(s).

Oversee and manage the Montessori certification process for school-based staff and administrators.

Lead strategy to create a Detroit-based Montessori certification program.

Lead efforts within and across schools to ensure that every Montessori student has a high-quality, developmentally appropriate learning experience.

Collaborate across central office and school departments (Finance, Operations, Facilities, Nutrition) to ensure the highest standards of environmental requirements.

Gather and analyze data to evaluate the effectiveness of Montessori content area programs and propose refinements to strategy and approach to school improvement, materials, and professional learning as a result.

Design and facilitate engaging professional learning sessions for Montessori educators, support staff and families that respond to students' needs and are aligned with departmental goals for improved program quality and student learning.

Create a model for strong Montessori school support in conjunction with building administrators including classroom observation cycles, joint learning walks, and job-embedded support for educators that ensures curriculum fidelity and operational compliance.

Oversee the maintenance of Early Learning and Montessori Family and Staff Hub sites, to ensure knowledge is codified and shared through the District’s website and internal communication channels.

Provide leadership to and appraise staff performance of Early Learning and Montessori team members.

Provide information and leadership in the development and implementation of school level-goals, action plans, instructional techniques and innovative practices for PreK and Montessori school leaders.

Support site-based administrators to ensure quality and compliance of Montessori programs across the district.

Work with Montessori department, Curriculum and Instruction content leaders, Montessori staff, and principals to guide the implementation of the Pre-K-8th grade Montessori Curriculum Guide, including core curriculum, intervention and acceleration, and assessment.

Support the implementation of Montessori programs that foster student interest and excitement for learning; positively engage families as partners in students’ success.

Complete administrative tasks related to budget development, submission of federal/state/local reports, and engage in regular calls and touchpoints as a representative of the Early Learning and Montessori department.

Demonstrate a commitment to antiracism and the affirmation of student and staff identities, center racial equity and inclusion in Montessori classrooms, and bring practical solutions to issues of equity and inclusion in classrooms, schools and on the team.

Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Security Clearance:

Internal Applicants

If you are a current Detroit Public Schools Community District employee,…