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The Montessori School of Lone Tree (MSLT) is hiring a Directress that is certified by a recognized AMS or AMI program. The ideal candidate must have impeccable qualifications and experience in Montessori education to lead a classroom of 25 students and two teachers’ assistants. MSLT seeks candidates that are creative within the Montessori education pedagogy that adds to our forty-year legacy of Montessori excellence. The successful candidate must display and teach grace, peace, and courtesy in the classroom and in interactions with staff and families at all times. Candidates will have a record of working with children with a positive attitude and treating each child with dignity and respect. In addition they will provide for staff growth by training assistants in the use of Montessori materials. The Directress will be a leader within MSLT so confident and humble leadership skills are desired. All applicants must be able to work in the United States as we cannot provide sponsorship to international candidates.    

This position is full-time, year round. We offer medical and dental health benefits, paid time off, paid holidays, and a 401K. 

Directress Responsibilities:

1. Responsible for planning and coordinating daily activities for a Montessori primary classroom

• • Establish a Montessori learning environment by enriching every area on a rotating basis and according to each child’s needs.
  • Interact with each child appropriately on his/her level of interest and understanding.
  • Be punctual, reliable, and work your full workday.
  • Take care of personal needs, materials, phone calls before class so you will be continually present to children and assistants during each work cycle.
  • Responsible for the safety of children in your classroom, playground and in the facility, at all times.
  • Follow the year’s curriculum and coordinate with the Full Day Coordinator as needed.
  • Attend all parent meetings, parent nights, picnics, and conferences.
  • Other duties as assigned by the Head-of-School and/or Leadership team.

2. Classroom Management Skills

• • Foster a “working team” atmosphere in the classroom and the entirety of the MSLT educational environment.
  • Ensure the classroom environment is peaceful and positive and strive for all children to display grace and courtesy to each other, staff, and the materials. 
  • Demonstrate confidence and professionalism when appropriate discipline is needed to maintain a peaceful classroom.
  • Cycle assistants so children are attended to in each area of the classroom.
  • Constantly use your observational skills to assist each child’s growth and safety.
  • Follow school policy on discipline.
  • Be responsible for inventory and maintenance of materials.
  • Be present when the children arrive, and during the entire work cycle.

3. Communication

• • Always greet each child and parent with a positive attitude.
  • Listen to the children’s developing communication skills and facilitate each child’s intellectual, social, and emotional growth. 
  • Practice teamwork using verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
  • Plan weekly or bi-weekly staff meetings to review children’s work cycle, social needs, academic growth and independence.
  • Record work and progress of each child to prepare for parent-teacher conferences.
  • Support and participate in school in-services, training, parent and staff meetings.
  • Promote positive social feelings between the staff and lend support when necessary.
  • Write and send out monthly classroom newsletters.
  • Participate fully in the phasing-in program, school and home visits.
  • Listen to the concerns of the parents and their goals for their child and enact a plan to meet those goals. 
  • Maintain excellent communication with Head-of-Schools on all matters related to MSLT and job function.  

4. Minimum Physical Requirements– Teaching and supervising preschool children are a physically and mentally taxing profession. 

• • Must be able to lift and carry children up to six years of age (50 lbs. or more) as required.
  • Must be able to carry and/or move shelving units, student tables and chairs as needed.
  • Must be capable of sitting and /or kneeling on the floor for extended periods of time.
  • Must be able to kneel and rise from a kneeling position on a continuous basis.
  • Must be capable of bending and/or squatting to a child’s eye level on a continuous basis.
  • Must be able to clean up children who have toileting accidents or are physically ill.
  • Must have emotional stability to reflect peace, grace, and courtesy even under chaotic and stressful situations  

Required Qualifications: 

• • Certified in Early Childhood by a recognized AMS, AMI, or an MACTE accredited program
  • Minimum of 2-5 years teaching experience
  • Strong communication skills
  • Understanding of and commitment to the Montessori philosophy
  • Ability to work collaboratively with faculty and Head of School to enhance curriculum and community
  • Commitment to professionalism and reliable
  • Understanding of the developmental, social, and emotional needs of children ages 2.5-6 from all different backgrounds.
  • Ability to help each child meet his/her individual potential.
  • Ability to instill a sense of wonder and curiosity in children of the world around them

Additional Qualifications:

Interest and drive to elevate our programs by using Montessori principles to build curriculum or experiential education in areas such as: 

• • Nature-based and outdoor learning or gardening teaching
  • Orff music methodology or other music-based learning techniques
  • World languages
  • Movement-based exploration and learning

To apply, please email your resume to Marci Pilon at operations@montessoriatlonetree.com.

The Assistant helps the Directress in preparing and maintaining the Montessori environment. The Assistant is directly accountable to the Directress. Working with children requires a positive attitude and respect for the child. This concept should be demonstrated whenever the staff interacts with the children.

Year-round, full and part time positions available. Medical and dental health plans and PTO, paid holidays, and a 401k available for full-time employees. Pay is dependent on experience.

Teaching Assistant Responsibilities: 

1. Class Preparation and Class Time

• • Practical life area: prepare snacks, wet sponges, pouring exercises, polishing supplies, replenish art supplies, sharpen pencils, etc.
  •  Check bathrooms for cleanliness and supplies, check cubie area and cozy corner.
  • Share in playground duty.
  • Assist in coat area as children arrive.
  • Be present in the classroom at assigned times. Personal needs are to be attended to before assigned classroom starting time.
  • Help maintain a calm and orderly work time.
  • Demonstrate materials only when you are sure how to use it correctly, and only when your Directress has indicated.
  • Scan classroom frequently. Be responsible for your assigned part of classroom management at all times.
  • Discuss with the Directress on the length of individual lessons and understand she/he is responsible for and in control of the classroom.
  • If not assisting with “line time,” begin cleanup of practical life areas.
  • Help prepare snacks when needed.
  • Meet weekly with the Directress and review children’s developmental progress.
  • Change environment exercises and make materials when requested.
  • Change practical life exercise monthly.
  • Care for all animals and plants on a daily basis.

2. Clean Up may include some or all of the following; duties to be shared between classroom staff

• • Take snack dishes to the kitchen.
  • Return all food and juice to the refrigerator.
  • Wash all table tops, snack table, snack serving table, hand washing table, clothes washing, dish washing, food prep area, and counter area with mild disinfectant.
  • Clean easel, polishing area and straighten aprons.
  • Straighten and clean up Practical Life pouring, shelves, and art shelves.
  • Wipe vinyl aprons clean, make sure the cleaning rack is straightened and that the mop is clean, sweep floor, tidy bathroom, check supplies
  • Straighten and dust shelves in all the other areas of the classroom, and edge shelves, Sensorial, Science, Language, Math, and straighten books in the library.

3. Lunch

• • Help children with lunch duties.
  • Oversee table preparation.

4. Other

• •  Assistants may be required to attend Saturday functions, including, but not limited to, training programs, and outside seminars.
  • Assistants may be required to assist in programs and/or classrooms other than the one hired.
  • Review calendar dates for in-service days, parent meetings and other scheduled functions. Attendance at these functions is required. Attendance may also be required at unscheduled functions. As much
    notice as possible will be given as to specific dates.

5. Minimum Physical Requirements – Teaching and supervising preschool children are a physically and mentally taxing profession

• • Must be able to lift and carry children up to six years of age (50 lbs. or more) as required.
  • Must be able to carry and/or move shelving units, student tables and chairs as needed.
  • Must be capable of sitting and/or kneeling on the floor for extended periods of time.
  • Must be able to kneel and rise from a kneeling position on a continuous basis.
  • Must be capable of bending and/or squatting to a child’s eye level on a continuous basis.
  • Must be able to clean up children who have toileting accidents or are physically ill.

Required Qualifications

• Interest and curiousity in learning the Montessori philosphy
• Must be 18 years of age
• Must be eligible to work in the US
• Commitment to helping each child meet his/her individual potential.
• Ability to support the needs of each child in the classroom.
• Reliable, professional, and able to collaborate with coleagues

Additional Qualifications

• Montessori certification or previous knowledge of the Montessori method a plus
• Previous experience in a classroom setting or background in childcare
• Knowledge of the developmental and emotional needs of children ages 2.5-6 from different backgrounds.

Please email your resume to operations@montessoriatlonetree.com to apply.