Lakota Immersion Montessori Manager

The Lakota Language & Education Initiative’s Owáyawa Cík'ala | Lakota Immersion Montessori, which is located in both the Pine Ridge School and Porcupine District in South Dakota, is currently accepting applications for the position of Lakota Immersion Montessori Manager. This “language nest” style and Montessori immersion program enrolls 35 children between both locations, primarily between the ages of 18 months–5 years old. The program is open five days a week during the hours of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Position Overview

The TVCDC Lakota Immersion Montessori Manager will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Lakota Immersion Montessori sites. The Manager will ensure all licensure (state, federal, and local) requirements are met, oversee the coordination of staff development and management, and ensure all student and staff files are complete and up-to-date. The Manager will oversee/manage day-to-day operations including building and playground maintenance and cleaning, office and environment supplies and ordering, employee scheduling, meal-prep and menu planning, and managing all licensure and other regulations compliance. The Manager will oversee budget planning & implementation and reporting, basic human resource functions, inspection and audit preparation, and will also participate in the Adult Language Learning program to ensure continued personal language development. The Manager will assist in day-to-day Montessori as needed including overseeing activities with the children, mealtime, recess, naptime, and daily learning, ensuring all communication is in Lakota, and ensuring all children-to adult ratios are met.

Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation (TVCDC) is a non-profit centrally located on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and provides local, grassroots, culturally-based programming to the youth and families. This position requires knowledge of Lakota cultural and lifeways. TVCDC work through eight interconnected initiative areas that are rooted in Lakota lifeways and serves the Lakota community.