Posted: 06-May-26
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Type: Full Time
Salary: $53,000-$79,480
Salary Details:
Preferred Education:
Position Summary
Currently, we are seeking a motivated Co-Head Teacher for a Lower Elementary Montessori classroom with strong organization and communication skills who values working as part of a dynamic, creative team to join our school community. This role is for the 2026-2027 academic year.
The Head Teacher is a teacher and guide who helps direct the children’s activities academically, emotionally, and physically in a prepared Montessori environment that challenges each child to reach his/her fullest potential. The Head Teacher is a union bargaining member who is responsible for upholding the purpose, standards, and policies of RPMS as outlined in the Parent and Employee Handbooks under the supervision and evaluation of the Principal and Program Directors. The Head Teacher is expected to conduct himself/herself in an ethical and professional manner at all times. The Head Teacher must maintain all personal information about children, families, organizational issues and other school matters as confidential.
About Rogers Park Montessori School:
Nestled in the Bowmanville neighborhood just 10 miles north of Downtown Chicago, Rogers Park Montessori School, established in 1966, serves children ages 2-14. We have a proud tradition of teacher collaboration and support. The students, teaching faculty, and parents of our toddler classrooms, 3-6 classrooms, 6-9 classrooms, 9-12 classrooms, and Middle School classrooms comprise a close-knit school community.
Essential Functions/Responsibilities:
Teaching
- Direct the children’s activities academically, emotionally, and physically in a prepared Montessori environment that challenges each child to reach his/her fullest potential.
- Develop a positive rapport with children.
- Oversee the safety and physical well-being of the children at all times.
- Demonstrate realistic expectations of children based on age and abilities.
- Protect the privacy and working atmosphere of the class at all times.
- Participate in the development and implementation of new curricula.
- Train and supervise children in the execution of fire drills, including the routing and building exits.
Classroom
- Prepare an environment where furnishings and materials are complete and correspond to the needs of the group.
- Oversee, care, and maintain classroom materials and yearly inventory.
- Maintain an orderly environment, keeping it safe, clean, and sanitary, and in good aesthetic shape, allowing the children to share this responsibility when possible.
Supervisory
- Supervise the classroom Teaching Assistant or Teaching Intern.
- Provide guidance, training, and coaching to the Assistant/Intern by meeting with the Assistant/Intern as necessary and conducting regular performance evaluations.
- Assist the Program Coordinator and Education Director in interviewing for the assistant position as needed.
Record Keeping and Reporting
- Maintain curriculum planning, observational and academic records, including progress reports.
- Plan, prepare, submit and share lesson plans as required by Program Directors, which may vary depending on Elementary, Middle School and Extended Day, or Children’s House requirements.
- Maintain written record of all parent meetings, phone calls and emails.
- Maintain current attendance reports.
- Submit academic records and other required records during the year.
- Report all accidents immediately including preparing a written report and notifying parents.
- Report all unusual or significant incidents immediately, including preparing a written report stating the date, time and nature of incident, including action taken.
- Complete monthly class summary reports.
Communication
- Prepare a monthly newsletter for parents.
- Hold two parent conferences during the school year and provide on-going communication to parents as needed.
- Proactively initiate discussions with parents in the early stages of issues.
- Communicate and cooperate with the Administration on program changes.
- Communicate effectively with children.
- Communicate effectively with parents.
Child Assessment
- Work with Program Coordinator, Education Director and Learning Specialist on difficulties with children, parents and staff.
- Provide input to the Admissions Director and Education Director and Program Coordinator on recommendations regarding re-enrollment, rejection or dismissal of any child as required.
- Make recommendations for testing or special needs services to the Education Director and Program Coordinator.
General Administration
- Assist the Education Director and Program Coordinator in developing and implementing school policies and procedures, adult orientation and educational design as requested.
- Attend staff meetings and other school meetings as required.
- Prepare annual goals, participate in peer consultations and self-evaluations, and consult with the Education Director and Program Coordinator regarding professional growth and development.
- Assist with other projects, programs and planning as assigned.
- Comply with all policies and procedures outlined in the Staff Handbook.
- Adhere to AMS guidelines and professional standards.
Competencies
- Strong communication skills.
- High ethical standards.
- Professional and courteous.
- Strong organizational skills.
- Ability to work effectively as a member of a diverse team.
- Flexibility and openness to new ideas.
Position Details and Compensation:
- Position is full-time and salaried.
- Salary is based on years of experience using pre-determined salary bands in coordination with our Union’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. For the 2026-2027 school year, the salary range for this position is $53,003-$79,480.
- Position is fully in-person.
Position Benefits:
- Medical insurance is provided by BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois with both PPO and HMO plan options. RPMS pays 65% of the employee’s individual premium. Plans for spouses/partners and families are also available.
- Dental and vision insurance is provided by Delta Dental of Illinois with both PPO and HMO plan options. RPMS pays 65% of the employee’s individual dental premium and 100% of the employee’s individual vision premium. Plans for spouses/partners and families are also available.
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance are offered as full 12-month coverage even for 10-month employees with payroll deductions being adjusted accordingly.
- RPMS offers life insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, and Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance at no charge to the employee. These policies have a 90 day waiting period after start date to take effect.
- AFLAC insurance policies are available if interested.
- RPMS is dedicated to following compliance with federal FMLA laws and Illinois’s VESSA law.
- RPMS offers a 401(k) retirement saving option managed by Vanguard that employees are eligible to contribute to after 30 days. RPMS will match $0.50 for every dollar contributed up to 3% of your pay. Employee contributions are always 100% vested and employer contributions are 100% vested after 3 years of service.
- Teaching faculty have 10 paid sick leave days, 2 personal leave days, and 1 professional development leave day.
- In addition to federally observed holidays, the RPMS calendar includes a 3-day Thanksgiving Break, a 2-week Winter Break, and a 1-week Spring Break.
- All faculty and staff receive a 50% tuition discount for any children attending RPMS.
RPMS is committed to ensuring our employees represent our diverse school community and to creating an inclusive workplace environment welcoming to people of all backgrounds. RPMS strongly encourages applications from people of color, people of all genders and sexual orientations, people with disabilities, and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. RPMS prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree and Montessori certification (either AMS or AMI).
- Experience with and understanding of the development of children.
- Ability to fulfill requirements of all state and local licensing agencies affecting RPMS.
