Employment Opportunities

Hilltop is looking for a Montessori trained Upper Elementary teacher to join our team!

The Upper Elementary classroom consists of up to 30 students ages 9-12 led by two Montessori certified teachers who have a full understanding of the Montessori 9-12 curriculum, and who use the Montessori Albums and current research-based instructional practices to develop interdisciplinary units of instruction that meet both the group and individual needs of students.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• creating a safe, nurturing classroom culture that allows children to take risks
• guiding the emotional, social, and cognitive growth of 9-12 year olds 
• aligning the curriculum, culture, and environment to promote the development of the autonomous  learner
• building a respectful and compassionate relationship with each child 

CURRICULUM 

• designing and implementing a comprehensive Montessori curriculum: develop a three year curriculum; create a year plan before school begins in the fall that is outlined by month; create weekly and daily plans
• making new materials as necessary
• creating and maintain an inviting environment
• align the curriculum, culture, and environment to promote the development of the autonomous  learner
• build a respectful and compassionate relationship with each child
• consistently reflecting on the curriculum, classroom culture, and own teaching practices to better refine each
• expanding the classroom curriculum by organizing regular field trips
• supervising children during daily recess, lunch and dismissal

OBSERVATION AND RECORD KEEPING

• observing regularly to guide teaching and student learning 
• maintaining appropriate student records 
• regularly reviewing student work
• Oversee two parent conferences as well as provide written reports twice yearly

RELATIONSHIPS WITH PARENTS

• maintaining consistent communication with parents to develop trusting relationships
• meeting with new parents before the school year starts
• holding two parent conferences per year
• providing written reports twice yearly
• writing weekly newsletters
• planning and implementing effective parent education

PROFESSIONAL GROWTH

• striving for consistent and honest communication with co-teacher
• building and maintaining effective relationships with colleagues
• attending full staff meetings regularly, meet with the elementary team staff and specialty teachers as needed. 
• grow personally and professionally with anti-bias and anti-racist work to support equity, justice, and inclusion at our school by participating in professional development opportunities
• meeting with special educators when needed
• actively engaging in the growth of the school community 
• attending all school functions as needed
• engaging in ongoing professional development including visits to other Montessori schools
• consistently reflect on the curriculum, classroom culture, and own teaching practices to better refine each
• strive for consistent and honest communication with co-teacher

REQUIREMENTS

• BA
• Montessori Certification (9-12), or in the process of obtaining Certification 
• 2 years teaching experience, preferably in a Montessori classroom
• CPR/First Aid
• A clear record through fingerprinting

COMPENSATION

Hilltop is looking for a Montessori trained Toddler Program teacher to join our team!

The Toddler Program Teacher is responsible for establishing and maintaining a Montessori classroom culture and creating a cooperative, harmonious community of independent children within the context of the Montessori philosophy.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design and set up the classroom environment
• Make classroom accommodations for children with learning differences
• Maintain and update Montessori works and activities
• Follow the Montessori curriculum and teach Montessori lessons
• Observe the children and maintain a record keeping system based on observations
• “Follow the child” and offer lessons as the child is ready
• Establish and maintain consistent ground rules
• Plan and lead circle time
• Supervise classroom schedule and routines: arrival, dismissal, lunch, recess
• Dismantle the classroom environment at the end of the year and store materials properly
• Set professional goals with the Head of School

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS 

• Contact and invite new children for a visit before school starts
• Along with the HOS design and implement parent education
• Communicate with parents on an informal basis and nurture and maintain these relationships
• Gather information from record keeping and assessments to develop student reports
• Conduct twice yearly scheduled parent/teacher conferences
• Call/schedule supplemental conferences as needed throughout the year

SCHOOL COMMUNITY

• Be familiar with the Parent Handbook
• Adhere to the expectations in the Personnel Handbook
• Attend bi-weekly faculty/staff meetings
• Meet regularly with the Children’s House team
• Participate in yearly Montessori and Early Childhood Education professional development
• Visit one other school during the year

REQUIREMENTS

• BA
• Montessori Certification (0-3), or in the process of obtaining Certification 
• 3yrs experience in a preschool environment, preferably Montessori
• CPR/First Aid
• A clear record through fingerprinting
• The physical capacity to work with toddlers (includes but is not limited to: bending, minor lifting, working on the floor)

COMPENSATION

The Middle School is looking for one person to join the team of experienced teachers. Our Montessori Middle School is a mixed aged, two-year program of 20 – 28 students in grades 7 & 8. Our program offers an amazing opportunity for teachers interested in the adolescent years to engage their passions and encourage our students to develop skills and interest in a myriad of subject areas and activities. The skills- and project-based program has been themed around the question “What does it mean to be human?” and has included in-depth study of: the civil rights movement, the industrial revolution, nature studies, climate change, comparative religions, drawing and printmaking, composing and singing music, an expanded health curriculum, outdoor skills, poetry and essay writing, and more. 

RESPONSIBLITIES 

• Teaching math lessons 
• Teaching environmental sciences
• Participating in odysseys and field trips
• Collaborating and meeting with Middle School staff regularly
• Participating in student/parent conferences
• Preparing student evaluations
• And more!

A background in supporting students with learning differences would be helpful. A Montessori Secondary (Adolescent) Teacher Certification, or interest in such training, would be ideal, but we are open to candidates with non-traditional backgrounds who are willing to invest time in learning Montessori methods and pedagogy through training. Individuals with excitement, patience, vibrance, and humor are encouraged to contact us!

REQUIREMENTS 

• BA
• Experience and passion for teaching math, science, and/or supporting students with learning differences
• Montessori Adolescent Training, or a willingness to invest in learning about Montessori through training 
• CPR/First Aid
• A clear record through fingerprinting

COMPENSATION

We are looking for someone to augment our Learning Specialist Team. This position is best filled by someone with Wilson Training experience, and a commitment to best practices: sequential, explicit, direct instruction for teaching students struggling in the acquisition of reading skills.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• assess students Kindergarten to Middle School in literacy and mathematics 
• assist with the documentation and recording of the assessments (including electronic)
• support teachers in incorporating additional techniques into the classroom to augment and further develop the Montessori reading, spelling, and writing curriculum
• teach small groups in Lower Elementary
• assess children’s academic progress
• assist teachers with determining when educational assessments should be recommended to parents
• attend meetings for children for which you are leading small groups
• communicate regularly with Learning Specialist Director

This can be a full-time, salaried position, or could also be a part-time hourly position.

REQUIREMENTS

• BA (Associates is also acceptable)
• Certification in Wilson Reading Instruction or Orton-Gillingham or the like (or have a plan to work towards certification), or plans to obtain this certification in the future
• Experience with children with learning differences
• A clear record through fingerprinting

COMPENSATION

The role of the school’s Class 2 Water Operator is a mix of paperwork and water testing. Anyone with good attention to detail can be successful in this position. With the assistance of the facilities team, water use data needs to be collected daily and a monthly report using that data needs to be submitted to the state. Monthly and quarterly water sampling needs to take place. What it looks like on the ground is filling various plastic bottles with water from specific taps in the school. Details about when and where the samples need to be taken are already determined and the procedures are laid out in the Water System Operations Manual.

The process to have a water operator license involves taking a five day online course and then passing a test on the material. Similar to other certifications, continuing education courses are required to stay up-to-date. The continuing ed courses are online or in person and the content is interesting, as it is supporting the work that you’re doing with the water system.

There also needs to be a meeting with the state every three years, and every seven years someone from the state comes to inspect the various components for the water system.

Links to more information on this are here:

https://dec.vermont.gov/water/drinking-water/pwso

https://dec.vermont.gov/water/drinking-water/pwso/operator-training

COMPENSATION

The Children’s House is looking for a part time Afternoon and AfterCare Assistant! This position would be from 11am-5pm, 5 days a week. Starting pay for this position is $16-$18 an hour, depending on experience and credentials. 

The AFTERNOON ASSISTANT (11:00am – 3:00pm) is responsible for helping the Head Teachers maintain a safe, comfortable, harmonious Montessori environment, as well as taking lead for nap and afternoon transitions. Some specific responsibilities include:

• Become familiar with the Montessori philosophy 
• Supervise recess and lunch as directed by the classroom schedule put out by the Administrative Coordinator
• Set up, prepare, facilitate, and supervise nap and rest time for 3 and 4 year olds
• Support Head Teachers with afternoon work cycle, as necessary 
• Assist with transitioning between afternoon activities and to After School Programs

The AFTERCARE ASSISTANT (3:00pm – 5:00pm) is responsible for the care and supervision of students Kindergarten through Upper Elementary following dismissal until 5pm. From 3:00 – 3:20, all students will gather and eat snack before dispersing to their respective After School Programs. Specific responsibilities include:

• Overseeing an after school snack and outside time (weather permitting)
• Maintenance of Arts Barn, classroom, kitchen, and art room spaces, including clean up at the end of the day 
• Record keeping as necessary  
• Communicating with families at pick-up conveying the care that the school has for their children and providing a connection to the school

Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• At least one year experience in a preschool environment, preferably Montessori
• The completion of Fundamentals (or equivalent) within the first year of employment
• CPR/First Aid
• A clear record through fingerprinting
• The physical capacity to work with pre-school/toddler aged children (includes but is not limited to: bending, minor lifting, working on the floor)

FIRST LINE SUBSTITUTE (as needed): As a staff person familiar with the programs, staff, and children at Hilltop Montessori School, it will be very efficient for you to be the first person we contact as a substitute teacher. We most often need substitute teachers in the Children’s House Programs. You might be asked if you are available to come in at 8 a.m. to assist another teacher during the morning in one of these programs.

COMPENSATION

Compensation starts at $17/hr, and can vary depending on experience and specific role

Help our younger students work, rest, and play. Our Toddler Program, which has up to 10 students ages 18 – 36 months, and our two Children’s House classrooms, each with up to 20 students ages 3 – 6 years, are always looking for substitute teachers to come in on an as needed basis. Substitutes could be asked to come in for a full day (8am – 3pm) or a half day (8am-12pm). We are looking for individuals who love to work with young children alongside a team of fellow teachers. Starting pay for this position is $16-$18 an hour, depending on experience and credentials. 

Requirements:

• HS Diploma or GED 
• Experience with children ages 2-6 years
• A clear record through background check and fingerprinting

Compensation: 

Compensation starts at $17/hr, and can vary depending on experience and specific role