Job Title: Montessori Lower Elementary Lead Guide (Ages 6–9 / Grades 1–3)
Employment Type: Full-Time, Salaried
Schedule: Monday – Friday, 7:45 AM – 4:00 PM (plus occasional faculty meetings and parent
events)
Salary Range: $45,000 – $60,000 annually (commensurate with certification, education, and
experience)
Position Overview
We are seeking an inspiring, certified Montessori Lower Elementary Lead Teacher (Guide) to
direct a multi-age classroom of children aged 6 to 9. The ideal candidate embodies Montessori
principles, possesses a deep understanding of the Second Plane of Development, and is
passionate about sparking children's imagination through Cosmic Education, collaborative
research, and self-directed inquiry.
Key Responsibilities
Curriculum Delivery & Classroom Leadership
- Deliver the Montessori Lower Elementary curriculum, including the Five Great Lessons,
- advanced math concepts, language arts, geometry, zoology, botany, geography, and
- history.
- Present individualized and small-group lessons that spark curiosity, foster critical
- thinking, and encourage deep independent exploration.
- Maintain a beautifully prepared, orderly, and stimulating classroom environment aligned
- with Montessori principles.
- Guide students in developing executive functioning skills: time management, work
- planning, journal tracking, and self-assessment.
Observation & Record Keeping
- Maintain meticulous observational records, lesson tracking, and academic progress
- notes for each student (e.g., using Transparent Classroom or a similar system).
- Ensure standard academic benchmarks and state learning goals are seamlessly
- integrated into the Montessori framework.
- Design individualized learning paths and targeted interventions for diverse learning styles
- and paces.
Community, Culture & Communication
- Foster a classroom culture rooted in grace, courtesy, mutual respect, conflict resolution,
- and peer collaboration.
- Plan and facilitate "Going Out" expeditions led by student interest to connect classroom
- study with the wider community.
- Conduct regular parent-teacher conferences, write narrative progress reports, and
- maintain open, professional communication with families.
- Supervise, mentor, and collaborate effectively with the classroom assistant.
Qualifications
- Certification: Montessori Lower Elementary Credential (AMI, AMS, or
- MACTE-accredited) required.
- Education: Bachelor's degree required (Early Childhood or Elementary Education
- preferred); Master's degree is a plus.
- Experience: 2+ years of lead teaching experience in a Montessori elementary classroom
- preferred (strong newly certified candidates considered).
- Thorough mastery of Montessori elementary materials, philosophy, and Cosmic
- Education.
- Strong classroom management skills grounded in positive discipline and peaceful conflict
- resolution.
- Must pass state-mandated criminal background checks, fingerprinting, and health
- screenings.
- Current CPR/First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain prior to start date).