Job Purpose Statement/s: This position plans, organizes, and provides learning experiences for students in a Montessori learning environment in the Olympia Regional Learning Academy (ORLA) Montessori. ORLA Montessori is a public-school program option in the Olympia School District.

Required attachments:

Cover Letter
Resume
3 Reference Letters
Valid Washington State Certification

This position is to begin employment in the 2025-26 school year. This position is a 0.2 FTE one year only position.

The preferred candidate will have: an understanding of adolescent development; the ability to consistently differentiate the learning experience for students in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade; experience using a wide range of assessments to determine student proficiency, related to standards; the ability to team with ORLA staff and communicate effectively with parents and support strong two-way communication; experience teaching a variety of elementary subjects; and have a Montessori certificate (preferred)

Employees will receive vacation leave, paid holidays and additional compensation beyond their base salary as outlined in their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

The Olympia School District is committed to increasing the diversity of staff in our schools. Candidates who can contribute to this goal are encouraged to apply and to identify their strengths and experiences in this area.

Essential Job Functions:

• Develops lesson plans and manages the learning experiences for students to ensure the needs of the group, and individual students, are met.

• Assists students toward self-directed learning and normalization.

• Maintains a neat, well organized, and attractive prepared environment consistent with Montessori pedagogy.

• Participates in professional activities designated by the administrator, which may include workshops, curriculum development, retreats, meetings, grade reporting, planning, and other professional pursuits. Ability to develop effective collegial relationships and to work collaboratively other teachers, administration, and support staff.

• Attends all pre-announced staff meetings and professional sessions, including staff, department, committee and, evening parent meetings.

• Works to develop close and effective relationships with parents, including opportunities to discuss and understand the child’s individual progress; facilitates parent/student conferences; encourages students to bond with both the class and the larger school community; provides individualized tracking of student progress. • Participates in the admissions process, speaking from time to time with prospective families at the request of the administrator.

• Follows the school’s policies and procedures for student evaluation and record keeping, meeting all due dates as required; including the administration of standardized tests.

• Ability to incorporate technology into the Montessori curriculum and proficiently used technology for communication and monitoring student progress.

Other Job Functions:

• Provides lead direction to assigned assistants

• Reports to Administration

• Performs related duties as assigned

• Confined to work area; must secure substitute or leave only at assigned breaks.

Job Requirements – Qualifications:

• Education and Experience Required: Bachelor’s degree in education and Montessori certification with prior experience in teaching in a Montessori setting preferred. A combination of experience and training, which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and ability required to perform the work, will also be considered.

• Skills, Knowledge and/or Abilities Required:

Knowledge and skill in instructional principles, methods and techniques of Montessori program

Ability to make supplemental Montessori materials for the classroom

Ability to embrace and incorporate Montessori philosophy while in the context of state public school accountability requirements

Competent in obtaining, clarifying and exchanging information

Competent in classroom management and in handling student discipline

Ability to organize and coordinate activities

Ability to serve as role model and treat students as individuals in a professional manner

Ability to maintain confidentiality

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of people in a multi-cultural, diverse socioeconomic setting

Ability to fully participate as a team member in a professional learning community

• Licenses, Certifications, Bonding, and/or Testing Required: Valid Washington State teaching certificate with proper endorsement at the elementary level AND Montessori Certificate from MACTE accredited institution (AMI or AMS certification preferred) or a minimum of 3 years of classroom teaching experience, grades 1-3, with a willingness to receive Montessori training during the first year of employment, Criminal Justice Fingerprint Clearance.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Olympia School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Auxiliary aids and services will be provided upon request to individuals with disabilities. The following employee(s) have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Title IX Officer – James Whitehead, (360) 596-8545, jwhitehead@osd.wednet.edu; Executive Director of Elementary Education – Autumn Lara, (360) 596-8534, alara@osd.wednet.edu; Section 504 and ADA Coordinator (Students) – Ken Turcotte, (360) 596-7530, klturcotte@osd.wednet.edu; ADA Coordinator (Staff) – Starla Hoff, (360) 596-6185, shoff@osd.wednet.edu; Affirmative Action Officer and Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator – Scott Niemann, (360) 596-6185, sniemann@osd.wednet.edu. Address: Knox Administrative Center, 111 Bethel St NE, Olympia, WA 98506.

The Olympia School District will provide reasonable Accommodations to enable persons with disabilities the opportunity to apply for open positions and to participate in District interview procedures. Persons with disabilities or are in need of translation services are asked to notify the Human Resources Office at least three days prior to the date on which the requested accommodation is needed. Human Resources Officer: Voice: (360) 596-6185 or TDD: (360) 596-7537 or FAX: 360-596-6181.