STEAM & Extensions Coordinator

We are an independent, Montessori school in Chicago serving 560+ students and their families, starting at a parent-infant class and up to 8th grade. We are a community of shared values working to fulfill a meaningful mission. NNM faculty, staff and parents strive for an equitable and inclusive school culture through intentional, reflective practice. We work together to challenge all students to think for themselves, pursue their ideas and become real learners for the real world. 

Learn more about us on our website: www.nnms.org

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

Years of Experience

• 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

Licenses/Certifications

• A valid driver's license is a plus, though not required

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

Additional Information

Pay Information: The salary range for this position is $70,000 - $75,000 based on skills and experience.

Near North Montessori offers a variety of benefits which include:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision options
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• EAP Program
• Flexible Paid Time off
• Professional Development Opportunities

Near North Montessori believes that each individual is entitled to equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, ancestry, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local anti-discrimination laws. The School’s equal employment opportunity practices extend to recruitment, hiring, selection, compensation, benefits, transfer, conditions, and privileges of employment.