Riverbend School is an innovative Toddler-8th Grade Montessori community located in Natick, MA. Riverbend prides itself on its diverse and gender-inclusive staff and student population, and welcomes candidates from a variety of races, ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, gender identities, and sexual orientations. Our Montessori Elementary and Middle school is a small, cohesive community where our students are empowered to be agents of their own learning. Our project-based approach to curriculum allows students to pursue areas of passion and interest in a hands-on manner. Our multi-age classrooms foster a deep interconnection between students, and provide each child with opportunities to find their voice through leadership. Educators collaborate extensively to provide this unique environment for all students.

Reports to: Director of Elementary and Middle School

Classification: Exempt 

Supervises: None

Scope of Work: Lead Teacher for Middle School program (7th/8th grade)

Experience Requirements:

• Minimum 1 year teaching experience (5 years preferred)
• Experience with interdisciplinary, project-based learning
• Flexible and collaborative team player
• Experience in/familiarity with Montessori setting

Education/Certification Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Montessori Secondary Training preferred
• OR Montessori Elementary II Training with a willingness to be trained starting Summer 2024
• OR significant Teacher Education coursework with a willingness to be trained starting Summer 2024

Additional Requirements:

• A genuine appreciation of and respect for adolescents; energy and enthusiasm for all aspects of school life
• Strengths in classroom management and intentional curriculum planning 
• Demonstrated success in creating and utilizing formative assessments and pairing them with consistent, clear, and constructive feedback 
• Well organized, timely, and empathetic communication with faculty, staff, students, and parents
• A professional, collaborative, team-oriented style characterized by empathy, flexibility, and patience
• An ability to build trusting relationships with children and adults alike
• Warmth and a good sense of humor; patience and persistence; sense of curiosity and a love of learning; the desire to have fun!

General Responsibilities

Riverbend School seeks an innovative, enthusiastic, confident self-starter to facilitate learning and discovery within a multi-age (7th-8th grade) classroom. The successful candidate will play a key role in re-imagining our Middle School program for the upcoming academic year 2024-2025 and beyond.

Specific Responsibilities

Work with Students

• Design and implement an engaging and intentional curriculum that meets the needs of a wide range of learners
• Demonstrate a passion for meeting students where they are in order to help them reach high levels of achievement
• Engage children in challenging learning activities that follow their interests and build skills for lifelong learning
• Set high expectations for student behavior consistent with the school’s values through clear communication and firm boundaries, drawing on a deep appreciation for and understanding of the developing adolescent brain
• Adopt a loving and caring approach towards each child, consistently contributing to positive behavior and social interactions
• Design and implement field-based learning experiences (multi-day trips) that align with project based learning goals
• Design meaningful and challenging work, activities for self-expression, self-knowledge, and self-assessment that value a variety of learning styles
• Facilitate experiences that foster independence, opportunities for learning economic independence through school and community service projects

Work with Families

• Create and maintain a Google classroom site to communicate curriculum goals, specific assignment details, and feedback on formative assessments
• Maintain positive, proactive communications with parents and caregivers in order to build strong partnerships with students’ families

Work with Colleagues

• Collaborate with colleagues regularly
• Lead Middle School team meetings to discuss and plan for the success of each middle school student across the curriculum areas

Administrative

• Envision, plan, refine, document, and share the Middle School curriculum, scope and sequence
• Maintain daily attendance and record keeping for the Middle School community
• Prepare progress reports for each Middle School student (January and June)
• Report all accidents/incidents to the Director of Elementary and Middle School and complete accident forms as needed
• Work collaboratively with the the Director of Elementary and Middle School to address concerns regarding students, parents and co-workers
• Attend weekly faculty meetings
• Attend all mandatory school events

• Perform recess and lunch duties

Professional Development

• Attend in-service training as provided by Riverbend
• Attend conferences each year, when possible, to further professional development
• Articulate and work throughout each year to accomplish established goals
• Observe in classrooms at Riverbend and at other Montessori schools

School Culture

• Demonstrate a strong commitment to professional ethics
• Model the Montessori values of grace, courtesy, respect and empathy in visible daily actions
• Demonstrate commitment to open communications and conflict resolution efforts across the school community
• Protect the privacy and confidentiality of each student, family and staff member
• Willingly help with other duties when asked

Additional Opportunities

• Present at conferences
• Mentor new teachers
• Teach an afterschool enrichment class or lead a club
• Participate on a committee

It is expected that all staff will function as self-directed members in a team effort. All activities and performances should meet appropriate professional standards and adhere to the philosophy and mission of Riverbend School.

Commitment to DEIJ:

Riverbend School is committed to becoming an anti-bias and anti-racist community. All candidates must be committed to furthering this work by embracing differences; exploring and affirming the identities and intersections of all which include race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomics, social class, family structures, learning differences, and differences in ability. Candidates must be comfortable working in a culturally diverse environment. 

We strongly encourage applications from people of color, LGBTQIA educators, or educators from communities that are historically underrepresented in independent schools. 

EEO Statement:

Riverbend School is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment. Riverbend strictly prohibits discrimination or harassment of any kind based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic predisposition or carrier status, marital status, veteran status, or any other class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.