Harmony Montessori Head of School

Established in 1994, Harmony Montessori School (HMS) provides a rich educational experience for children from all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds, family makeup, and abilities.

Our Community aims to inspire a lifetime love of learning with a focus on:

• Embracing inclusion, cultural, and social diversity in our school community
• Maintaining an environment of honor, respect, and harmony that will assist the children in reaching their fullest potential in life.
• Providing a Montessori curriculum that is holistic, flexible, and eclectic.
• Maintaining a gifted and dedicated staff by providing a rich and rewarding work environment, and by rewarding them appropriately for their efforts.
• Fostering a strong sense of community and cooperation with our families that will encourage parent involvement, education, and volunteerism.

Harmony Montessori is deeply committed to the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusiveness and seeks to create a pluralistic community for all staff, children, and families. Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

The Head of School will exhibit leadership for the day to day operations as well as maintain the overall well-being of the school.

The Head of School will have the unique opportunity to create, develop, and maintain relationships with our established team of passionate teachers and dedicated assistants as well as those with children, and their families through positive interactions and effective communication. The Head of School will also act as an Ambassador between Harmony Montessori and the public, generating strategic plans to financially support the school’s operations, while also maintaining a strong commitment to the schools mission, and to the . developing relationships and trust within the community and ensuring that HMS continually operates with the best and highest interest of every child in mind.

The Head of School position for HMS is appointed by the Board of Trustees to implement the vision and strategic planning for the school, applying an equity lens to all aspects of the school operations and policies, and to carry out the overall mission of the school.

Job Duties: The duties performed by the Head of School include, but are not limited to:

Operations

• Design, manage, and oversee the day to day operations of the school.
• Establish policies that promote the school’s culture and vision, especially the commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
• Ensure the accurate maintenance of administrative records, meeting all state and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain a close working relationship with the Administrative team, with clear shared and separate responsibilities, and a cooperative and supportive approach to all members and aspects of the school community.
• Maintain clear and respectful communication with staff and volunteers.
• Address any issues regarding building and grounds in a timely manner.

Staff Management

• Recruit, interview, and select qualified teachers and other staff in alignment with Harmony’s equity policies.
• Demonstrate understanding of the school’s needs and make sure those needs are met when creating and recruiting for new positions.
• Establish performance standards, and evaluate faculty and staff. Address performance issues in a timely and professional manner.
• Provide effective staff and professional development opportunities.
• Cultivate and encourage a cooperative and supportive work ethic among all HMS staff, including support staff.
• Plan and implement staff schedules, staff inservice days, regular staff meetings for classrooms and all staff, and staff observations in other classrooms and at other schools.
• Observe regularly in each classroom, maintaining records of objective observations and hold follow-up meetings with classroom staff.
• Annually conduct a staff benefit analysis.
• Maintain current employee records including all documentation required for Childcare workers in the state of Oregon, benefits and annual trainings
• Track the use of PTO and PSC and update staff on their balances.
• Support staff with personal challenges and help to navigate federal and state support programs.
• Receive staff reports of harassment, discrimination, and abuse and follow HMS procedures to address the situations in a supportive and dignified manner.

Curriculum/Program

• Support the implementation of Montessori philosophy in the curriculum and provide pedagogical and educational oversight for the school.
• Support staff in dynamic curriculum development, and encouraging full staff participation
• Ensure a holistic/ rich cultural curriculum and close attention to detail in all areas.
• Foster a cohesive and mutually supportive teaching team.
• Ensure consistency and quality throughout the day for the children, with particular focus on an all-day Montessori program.
• Serve as a resource for the teaching team in developing a flexible and responsive Montessori curriculum.
• Support the implementation of the program in all classrooms and oversee any updates

Health and Emergency Management

• Holds general program responsibility for the safety and well being of all the school’s children and staff.
• Responds swiftly and decisively to emergency and crisis situations while basing decisions on state licensing and county standards.

Parent Community

• Articulate a clear vision of the mission, goals, and objectives of the school.
• Oversee the planning and implementation of outreach strategies to connect the school with the greater parent community.
• Develop and maintain a strong communication network with the parent body, encouraging the development and continuation of a strong Parents’ Association.
• Oversee the writing and distribution of newsletters and other written communications on a regular basis.
• Support the planning and implementation of parent activities, meetings, events and working with and supporting teachers’ presentations at parent education nights.
• Communicate Board action to staff and families.
• Work closely with the different Parent Association committees, assuring close alignment with Harmony’s values and mission.

Financial

• In conjunction with the Board Treasurer and Finance Committee, develop and implement an annual school budget.
• Analyze and control expenditures with an understanding of the relationship between the instructional program and the budgeting process.
• Perform all bookkeeping, financial reporting, and banking matters.
• Prepares all financial statements for the Treasurer and the Board.
• Coordinates with the Accountant to close the books at the end of the fiscal year, upload all financial documents and make adjustments as directed by the accountant.
• With the Treasurer, analyze strengths and weaknesses to propose corrective actions, keep Board apprised of fiscal concerns or challenges.
• Identify opportunities for expansion of current programs and new programs.
• Prepare accurate forecasts so that the Board can make informed decisions about the future of Harmony.
• Encourage a strong commitment to fundraising within the parent community and Board.
• Process Payroll using ADP or another payroll company, ensuring that all required reporting has been completed.
• Prepare Year End Child Care Statements and Reports for families.

Board of Trustees

• Demonstrate an understanding and commitment to the mission, goals and objectives of Harmony Montessori School.
• Serve as a member of the Board of Trustees, attending monthly meetings as scheduled in advance. This includes service on Board committees.
• Provide a monthly Head of School Report to the Board before meetings, and financial reports to the Board via the Treasurer.
• Maintain a close working relationship with all Trustees, especially the Board Chair and/or Co-Chairs.
• Meet with individual Trustees on a regular basis, helping to keep them informed and updated regarding challenges and developments in their areas of focus.

Candidate Qualifications:

• Candidates must meet state licensing requirements for the position.Bachelor’s degree or higher in education or business management
• The ideal candidate for this position will hold a Montessori teaching credential, have worked in a Montessori environment, or have extensive knowledge of Montessori philosophy.
• 1-3 years supervisory/administrative experience
• Experience working with children and a passionate commitment to Montessori Philosophy.
• Experience with accounting, fundraising, and marketing.
• Excellent verbal and written Communication skills
• A warm and positive demeanor and excellent interpersonal skills
• Capacity to understand and manage staffing and enrollment
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to create collaborative, positive work environments.
• Familiarity with non-profit organizations and operations.
• Experience working with people from a variety of backgrounds
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing priorities with a positive attitude

Physical Demands

This job may require physical engagement with children including repetitive bending, sitting, standing, moving quickly across an indoor or outdoor surface, sight and hearing ability necessary to keep children within sight and sound, and the ability to lift up to 80 pounds.

Application and Interview Process:

Please send a resume, cover letter and diversity statement to the hiring committee.

The diversity statement should address the following questions:

• What does diversity, equity, and inclusion mean to you?
• Why is diversity important for a school like Harmony Montessori?
• How do you work to ensure the school environment is inclusive and welcoming to Staff, Teachers, Students, and Families?
• What would you like to do in this role as it relates to diversity and equity?

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $85,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift

School type:

• Montessori
• Private school

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Montessori Education: 3 years (Required)

Language:

• Spanish (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Central Background Registration number (Required)

Work Location: In person