Careers

 

Lumin Education is a remarkable, unique, highly successful organization that, through two programs, changes lives of children and their families. Research shows that the philosophy and practices of Montessori education, starting at the earliest ages, provide an essential foundation for 21st century life and workplace skills that traditional education lacks. What Lumin does is vitally important!

 

Starting in pregnancy and going through third grade, Lumin’s home visiting and classroom programs bring the strengths of Montessori programming to underserved families and the broader community. Lumin serves approximately 500 children each year.   All who work within Lumin cite a passion for its mission as the most compelling driver of their work. It is not an exaggeration to say that Lumin Education is indeed, one of a kind.

 

Located on two campuses in the East Dallas and Bachman Lake neighborhoods of Dallas, TX, Lumin owns its facilities that are custom tailored to its programs. In addition to on-site activities, the campuses serve as a base for a cadre of parent educators who work directly with young families in their homes to provide the benefits and best practices of early childhood education and help families access support services. In addition to the Montessori in-home services, Lumin operates Montessori classroom for toddlers through third grade.

 

After a 45-year career the founding Executive Director of Lumin Education is stepping back from daily leadership of the organization to focus on planned giving and working with donors with whom she has cultivated decades-long relationships. The Lumin leadership team is strong, experienced, and highly skilled in their respective roles. Lumin seeks an Executive Director to begin July 1, 2024, or sooner if mutually agreeable. The new ED will work with the leadership team to continue Lumin’s excellent programs and pursue new directions in early childhood education for greater impact in the future. The Executive Director reports to a Board of Directors made up of a dedicated cross section of educators, Dallas community leaders, and non-profit experts. All others within the organization will report, directly or indirectly, to the Executive Director.

 

 

In a time of change, the best organizations keep their minds open to discovering optimal solutions along the way. The organizational structure is strong, but the new ED may want to adapt as conditions warrant. Both of Lumin’s programs have strong and long-tenured directors responsible for daily operations of the programs. Each director has the autonomy to run the program and oversee the staff to best serve its students. Those directors and administrative directors such as HR, Finance, and Facilities report to the Chief Operating Officer (COO). The COO and the Chief Development Officer report to the ED.

 

 

As a one-of-a-kind innovative organization with a unique mission of breaking the cycle of underserved children in low income families, it is incumbent upon Lumin to be able to demonstrate the success of what it does. Internal tracking of former students over the past four decades reveals a 96% high school graduation rate, with 89% of that population later attending college. Recent research conducted by Southern Methodist University documents that children who participated in Lumin’s pregnancy to age 3 program outperformed a matched sample of 4-year-olds in math; and that children enrolled at Lumin for 3 or more years outperformed a matched sample of 5th graders in reading, math, and science.

 

Not surprisingly, one of the topics of discussion, and an area where the new Executive Director can have great impact, is in determining how to scale the Lumin model for maximum impact. Recent conversations have revealed that there is great demand and potential to expand the pregnancy to age 3 aspects of the program. It is hoped that the new Executive Director will share Lumin’s passion for serving this earliest segment of early-childhood education.

 

 

The new Executive Director will find an organization in the midst of some very exciting changes.

 

 

Lumin has a variety of funding sources including:

 

 

Lumin’s programs consist of:

 

Montessori Home Visits:   During in-home visits (2 to 4 times per month), parent educators create   a “mini” Montessori environment in which they model activities for the child and parent and share individualized child development information. Parents are encouraged to attend regular group meetings to learn more about child development and network with other parents.

 

Montessori Classrooms (toddler, primary, lower elementary): In Lumin’s Montessori classrooms (18 months through 3rd grade), highly trained teachers create nurturing, inspiring learning environments where children develop a strong foundation in executive function skills, social/emotional skills, and academic skills. Lumin follows the Montessori curriculum designed to appeal to each child’s naturally emerging skills and interests and allows children to explore areas of interest in depth and at their own pace.

 

Wrap Around Services: Lumin also provides extensive wraparound services to meet each family’s needs. Infants and toddlers receive a developmental assessment within 45 days of entering the program and are referred to early intervention services as needed. Family Advocates also work with Lumin families to facilitate referrals to services such as food stamps, cash assistance, and Medicaid. Play therapy and other mental health services are available for Lumin students, family members, and parent educators.

 

 

Among the many strengths of the organization, the new Executive Director will find:

 

 

The solid foundation is in place as is the desire to expand the impact of Lumin. The new Executive Director will find the following challenges and opportunities:

 

»        Expansion of Lumin’s programs for pregnancy to age 6.

»        A capacity-building campaign to bridge the short-term (5-year) funding gap.

»        An endowment campaign to increase the predictable operating revenue derived from the endowment.

»        Creation of new revenue streams by finding new earned-income sources and expanded summer offerings, etc.

»        Maximizing the potential of the substantial unused space at Bachman Lake for expanding the scope and number of students/families served.

 

 

            -An inspiring external face of the organization able to make a compelling case for Lumin with donors, public-sector leaders, and the educational community at large.

 

 

 

Candidates may contact the consultant in confidence for additional information. Candidates need to submit the following materials as separate PDF documents:

 

Please submit all materials to Skip Kotkins, Senior Consultant [email protected]

 

 

Submit your Resume to [email protected] 

Reports To:               Lumin Bachman Lake Community School Director, Lumin Lindsley Park Community School Director, Lumin East Dallas Community School Director

 

Primary Work Site:  Lumin BLCS or Lumin EDCS or Lumin LPCS

 

Hours/Status:           As needed

 

Pay:                             $13.50 per hour

 

 

The Substitute will take direction from the Lead Teacher, Teacher Assistant, or School Director in the preparation and maintenance of the Montessori environment for students. This includes organizing and maintaining classroom materials, assisting in the breakfast and lunch program, the set-up and clean-up of the classroom, and other duties as assigned.

 

 

Monday to Friday, as needed

 

 

 

 

Submit your Resume to: [email protected]