Director of Montessori Preschool - St. Louis Catholic Church - Austin - Diocese of Austin Catholic Parishes

Vision

We are "deeply convinced...that "the path to the future passes through the family" (Christifidelis Laici, 41). The domestic church is the ordinary means of evangelization. Jesus modeled for us discipleship in the context of small groups and relationships. The family exists as a small group, created by God for the sake of making disciples. "The Christian family, as the "domestic Church", ...makes up a natural and fundamental school for formation in the faith: father and mother receive from the Sacrament of Matrimony the grace and the ministry of the Christian education of their children" (Christifidelis Laici, 62). The Family Discipleship team will work to make disciples in the context of these small groups, first the family but also small groups of parishioners. "There exist in the world countless people who unfortunately cannot in any sense claim membership of what could be called in the proper sense a family...for all of these people there exists a "good news of the family...No one is without a family in this world: the Church is a home and family for everyone, especially those who "labor and are heavy laden."" (Familiaris Consortio, 85)

Job Summary

The Director of Montessori Preschool will be responsible for developing and managing our Early Childhood Development Center, maintaining the love and care already provided to our enrolled children. The Director will develop and implement a business with the goal of offering authentic Catholic Montessori education to infants and toddlers. As a parish we are a family of families and a community that comes together to raise children into mature disciples of Jesus Christ. The Director of Montessori Preschool will be responsible for cultivating this community for the sake of our families with young children at our Early Childhood Development Center and accompanying parents in their relationship with Jesus, modeling discipleship.

KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS (KRA)

Leadership - manages Montessori guides and aides at ECDC

Essential Job Duties

• Re-envision a traditional early childhood program to a Montessori program with the possibility of integrating into an existing Catholic school.
• Working with the Executive team, lead the development a business plan for the growth and sustainability of the Early Childhood Development Center with the goal of becoming a Montessori preschool with infant and toddler rooms.
• Building teams for ministry, including guides, aides and peer support for families, working closely with the Family Discipleship team
• Forming staff and volunteers as disciples of Jesus Christ on mission in their roles at St. Louis Catholic Church.

Early Childhood Development Center

• Oversee the day-to-day operations with up to 60 children.
• Maintain current best practices in curriculum development, operations, and administrative functions.
• Maintain annual licensing requirements with applicable state agencies.
• Maintain accreditation and compliance with appropriate state and national agencies.
• Update operations and parent handbooks as necessary.
• Develop and supervise guides and aides.
• Assist teachers in conferring with parents whose children are having trouble or are identified for intervention (medical, educational, or psychological).
• Monitor communications between staff and parents.
• Recruit, hire, and train staff.
• Maintain appropriate personnel files in accordance with state regulations and in collaboration with the COO.
• Maintain excellent relationships with parents and staff through open communication.
• Maintains a safe environment for childcare as prescribed by Ethics & Integrity in Ministry.
• Develop and maintain annual budget with the Business & Accounting Office.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities (SKA)

• Understands the role of family as domestic Church within the mission of evangelization.
• Mission driven and a creative problem solver.
• Understands Catholic teaching as presented in Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the documents of Vatican II, Papal encyclicals, documents of the USCCB, and other relevant Church documents.
• Operates under a high level of executive function.
• Has good verbal and written communication skills.
• Has good interpersonal skills and a collaborative management style.
• Ability to accompany others in their relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Ability to coach and develop others to a high level of their potential.
• Ability to operate various word-processing software, spreadsheets, and database programs.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with others (staff, clergy, religious, and laity).
• Ability to provide excellent customer service to internal and external customers.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and utilize effective time management techniques.
• Ability to uphold the dignity of all persons in interactions.
• Ability to follow instructions furnished in verbal or written format.
• Demonstrates a commitment to high professional ethical standards.
• Has organizational skills required to manage many people and projects.

Charisms

• Passionate about serving Christ in the child and authentic Catholic Montessori education.
• Passionate about nourishing and supporting families. Possesses some of the following charisms: Administration, Encouragement, Healing, Pastoring.

Education, training and/or experience

• Montessori degree or certification credentials.

• Early childhood education leadership experience in a preschool, charter school, head start, or private school setting.

• Experience in staff management.
• Master's degree in Education or Business Administration preferred.
• Training in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd preferred.

Catholic Requirement:

• Must be a Catholic in good standing, actively following Jesus in the midst of His Church.

Licenses/Certifications:

• Valid Texas driver's license.
• Must maintain compliance with the Diocese of Austin Ethics and Integrity in Ministry (EIM) policies throughout the employment period.

Ministerial Character

The Pastor is the visible principle and foundation of unity in the parish (St. Louis King of France Catholic Church and School - Austin, Texas) which the Bishop has entrusted to him. He makes Christ's mission present and enduring in the parish. In order to fulfill his mission, the Pastor employs suitable, chosen collaborators (clergy and lay people). He shares with them his mission and entrusts various responsibilities to them.

Positions employed at St. Louis King of France Catholic Church and School - Austin, Texas help to extend the ministry of the Pastor in particular ways as outlined in the job description. Therefore, the employee in this position is closely connected to and assists the Pastor in the performance of his ministry and thereby engages in ministry for the Church.