Montessori Coordinator; PreK-3 REG Gen Ed

Job Overview

The Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has set ambitious goals to ensure that every child—in every school and every neighborhood—has access to a world-class learning experience from birth, resulting in graduation from high school college- and career-ready. Montessori Education is one of the top educational priorities for CPS, and the Department of Advanced Learning & Specialty Programs is charged with enacting the vision and offering the resources, and structures to support schools that are adopting this innovative model.

The School-Based Montessori Coordinator will support the Department of Advanced Learning & Specialty Programs in instructional development, change management, and school-level continuous improvement to drive success for all students. It is expected that all Coordinators will be instructional experts with proven Montessori training expertise in at least one of the Montessori grade groupings:
Early Childhood (3‑6 year olds), Elementary I (6‑9 year olds), Elementary II (9‑12 year olds).

• Under the direction and guidance of the CPS Department of Advanced Learning & Specialty Programs, as well as the school‑based principal, implement a strategic action plan and continuous improvement strategies founded in the CPS Framework for Montessori Education & the Essential Elements of Montessori Practice in the public sector to positively impact student‑based outcomes in the assigned school.
• Build the day‑to‑day instructional capacity of classroom teachers and school administrators at the assigned school to deliver core district priorities for Montessori Education, including implementation of Common Core State Standards, Multi‑Tiered System of Supports, K‑2 foundational literacy, and College and Career Readiness.
• Provide differentiated instructional support by working directly with teachers in the classroom: model effective, research‑based instructional practices in Montessori Education; collaborate with grade‑level teams to drive data‑informed instructional planning; regularly provide professional learning and coaching to staff; and collaborate with school‑based leadership teams to actualize CCSS implementation through Montessori Education instructional strategies school‑wide.
• Serve on the school‑based Montessori Leadership Team, the Instructional Leadership Team, and the CIWP Team to integrate Montessori Education throughout the school and core curriculum; consult and collaborate with Principals, Assistant Principals, and other members of the school‑based Instructional Leadership Teams, and District staff as needed to develop data‑informed strategies to support the development and implementation of the CIWP, including curriculum development, professional development plans, direct support to classroom teachers, student outcome progress monitoring, and student intervention plans.

• Education Required: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Preferred: Master’s degree in Education, Curriculum and Instruction, or Educational Leadership.
• Certification
  
  Required:
  
  Valid standard teaching certificate (Type 03, Type 09, or Type 10) issued by the Illinois State Board of Education with appropriate grade level and content level endorsements. Certification in at least one of the Montessori age groupings:
  Early Childhood, Elementary I, Elementary II.
• Preferred
  
  Certifications:
  
  Endorsement in special education, literacy, mathematics, or science;
  Type 75 Certificate issued by the Illinois State Board of Education (or equivalent).
• Experience: Minimum four (4) years of classroom teaching experience, with demonstrated experience in implementing Montessori Education strategies.
• Experience with curriculum mapping, unit planning, and formative progress monitoring.
• Preferred Experience: Minimum two (2) years of experience working with adult learners, including coaching, and designing and facilitating professional development for classroom teachers and school leaders.

• Strong knowledge of Montessori Education, school‑wide implementation, and best practices.
• Ability to use multiple data sources to set measurable goals and strategically plan to complete those goals.
• Ability to define problems, analyze data, and develop action plans as part of a continuous improvement cycle.
• Excellent communication skills: writing, speaking, and listening.
• Knowledge of research‑based school improvement models and strategies.

This is a 43.6‑week position. The Montessori Coordinator will report to their assigned school four days per week to support teachers and administration and to the central office one day per week for professional development and planning. In the summer months, time will be shared between DoALSP and the school with direction from the Director of ALSP in collaboration with school administration.