Principal of Montessori & Early Learning

Position Summary

The Palmyra-Eagle Area School District seeks an innovative, student-centered educational leader to serve as the Principal of Montessori & Early Learning. This twelve-month administrative position provides instructional leadership for the district's public Montessori Charter School while directing the operations of the licensed Early Learning Center (ELC) and childcare program.

The Principal of Montessori & Early Learning is responsible for creating an exceptional learning environment grounded in authentic Montessori philosophy while ensuring operational excellence, regulatory compliance, fiscal responsibility, and strong partnerships with students, families, and staff.

As a member of the District Leadership Team, the successful candidate will lead continuous improvement efforts, support student achievement, supervise staff, and provide visionary leadership for this public Montessori programs.

Essential Responsibilities

Instructional Leadership

• Serve as the instructional leader of the Montessori Charter School.
• Preserve and promote fidelity to Montessori philosophy and instructional practices.
• Lead curriculum development and instructional improvement initiatives.
• Promote high levels of student achievement and continuous school improvement.
• Analyze student performance data to guide instructional decision-making.
• Lead implementation of school improvement initiatives aligned with district strategic goals.
• Coordinate professional development aligned with Montessori best practices.
• Foster an engaging, inclusive, and student-centered learning environment.

Early Learning Center Leadership

• Provide leadership and oversight for the licensed Early Learning Center and childcare programs.
• Ensure compliance with all Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) licensing regulations.
• Develop and maintain policies, procedures, and practices that ensure a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate learning environment.
• Supervise enrollment, staffing, scheduling, licensing documentation, and daily operations.
• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, supervision, and child care regulations.
• Promote smooth transitions between Early Learning Center programming and Montessori elementary programming.
• Build strong relationships with families through proactive communication and exceptional customer service.

School Leadership

• Provide overall leadership for daily school operations.
• Develop annual school improvement goals.
• Ensure compliance with Board policy, Wisconsin DPI regulations, charter school requirements, and applicable federal and state laws.
• Oversee school safety, emergency preparedness, attendance, and student discipline.
• Maintain a positive school culture focused on respect, responsibility, and student success.
• Coordinate state assessments and monitor student progress.
• Support special education programming and compliance.

Personnel Leadership

• Recruit, hire, supervise, mentor, and evaluate certified and support staff.
• Promote collaborative professional learning communities.
• Provide coaching and meaningful professional growth opportunities.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, professionalism, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Conduct staff evaluations consistent with Wisconsin Educator Effectiveness requirements.

Operations & Fiscal Management

• Develop and monitor annual operating budgets.
• Ensure responsible stewardship of district resources.
• Monitor enrollment trends and staffing needs.
• Oversee purchasing and resource allocation.
• Maintain accurate records and reports required by DPI and DCF.
• Evaluate program effectiveness using data and stakeholder feedback.
• Develop action plans for continuous program improvement.

Family & Community Relations

• Develop strong partnerships with families.
• Promote open, transparent, and timely communication.
• Support parent education regarding Montessori philosophy.
• Represent the Montessori Charter School positively throughout the district and community.
• Collaborate with district leadership to promote student success and organizational goals.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Visionary instructional leadership.
• Knowledge of Montessori education.
• Strong organizational and operational management.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Collaborative leadership style.
• High ethical standards and integrity.
• Ability to build trusting relationships with students, staff, and families.
• Data-informed decision making.
• Strong fiscal management.
• Commitment to equity and continuous improvement.

Required Qualifications

Applicants must possess:

• Master's Degree in Educational Leadership, Educational Administration, or related field.
• Valid Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Principal License (5051)
• Minimum three years of successful teaching experience.
• Demonstrated educational leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of curriculum, instruction, assessment, and school improvement.
• Knowledge of Montessori philosophy or willingness to obtain Montessori administrator training.
• Ability to qualify as a Wisconsin Child Care Center Director under Wisconsin Administrative Code DCF 251.

Preferred Qualifications

• Montessori Administrator Credential.
• AMS or AMI Montessori Certification.
• Previous experience as a school principal or assistant principal.
• Experience supervising licensed childcare or early childhood programs.
• Charter school leadership experience.
• Budget development and personnel management experience.
• Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills.

Why Palmyra-Eagle?

Palmyra-Eagle Area School District offers a unique opportunity to lead a thriving public Montessori Charter School and Early Learning Center that values innovation, authentic Montessori instruction, student-centered learning, and strong family partnerships. This position offers the opportunity to shape the educational experiences of children from early childhood through elementary school while working alongside a dedicated staff committed to excellence.

The Palmyra-Eagle Area School District is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment against properly qualified and eligible

individuals by reason of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, political affiliation, citizenship, religion, sex, age, handicap,

disability, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation or physical, mental, emotional, or learning disability, membership in the

national guard, state defense force, or any other reserve component of the military forces of the United States or Wisconsin, arrest record,

conviction record not substantially related to a person''s job or activity in school, or the use of lawful products by individuals off

school premises during non-working hours, as required by Wisconsin Statute 118.12, 118.13 or any other basis prohibited by applicable

federal, state, or local law. This policy also prohibits discrimination as defined by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (sex), Title

VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (race and national origin), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (disability).

Notice to applicants: If you require accommodation(s) in the application and/or interview process, please inform us.