Lower Elementary Teacher

Deadline: December 14, 2026

District/Organization: Waterford Montessori Academy

Position/Type: Teacher, full time

Salary: $45,000 – $60,000

Position Details

The Lead Teacher serves as the primary instructional guide in the classroom and models excellence in teaching through the integration of the Danielson Framework and Montessori philosophy. The Lead Teacher fosters a respectful, student-centered learning environment, cultivates student growth through intentional planning, and supports professional collaboration within the school community. This role also entails the consistent use of data to support student learning and inform practice.

Job Responsibilities:

Domain 1: Planning and Preparation

• Demonstrate deep knowledge of Montessori pedagogy, child development, and content-area standards.
• Understand individual students’ strengths, needs, interests, and developmental stages to design differentiated instruction.
• Set clear, measurable instructional outcomes aligned with student growth goals.
• Utilize Montessori and supplemental resources to support curriculum development.
• Design coherent lesson sequences, incorporating Montessori materials, inquiry-based learning, and cross-curricular connections.
• Develop meaningful formative and summative assessments aligned to learning objectives.

Domain 2: The Classroom Environment

• Establish a calm, respectful classroom culture that reflects Montessori principles of grace, courtesy, and peaceful conflict resolution.
• Promote a learning environment rooted in mutual respect and positive student-teacher rapport.
• Create a culture of independence, self-regulation, and intrinsic motivation.
• Establish effective classroom procedures that allow for smooth transitions and maximize instructional time.
• Implement consistent expectations and logical consequences to guide student behavior.
• Prepare and maintain an organized, purposeful, and developmentally appropriate physical environment in line with Montessori philosophy.

Domain 3: Instruction

• Clearly communicate academic expectations and objectives using precise and developmentally appropriate language.
• Use open-ended questioning and facilitate rich discussions to deepen student thinking and collaboration.
• Engage students in meaningful learning tasks through hands-on, experiential, and self-directed work.
• Monitor student progress and adjust instruction based on data and observation.
• Incorporate student voice and choice into the learning process.
• Exhibit flexibility and responsiveness to student needs and classroom dynamics.
• Follow all curriculum and programming with fidelity, including HMH (Reading and Writing) and Bridges in Mathematics, and Montessori.
• Use summative assessments to show evidence of curriculum implementation.

Domain 4: Professional Responsibilities

• Engage in continuous reflection to improve instructional practice and student outcomes.
• Maintain accurate and timely student records, including assessments, observations, and progress reports.
• Communicate regularly and respectfully with families to foster trust and collaboration.
• Contribute to a positive school culture by participating in professional learning communities and school-wide initiatives.
• Actively seek professional growth aligned to school goals and personal development.
• Uphold the ethical standards of the profession and demonstrate a commitment to equity and inclusivity.
• Work collaboratively with the Lead Teachers, Instructional Coach, Academic Support Team, Grade Level Leads, Special Education (SE), Social Work (SW), and Student Support Team.
• Participate in team meetings, a minimum of 1 hour per week, and as needed.
• Facilitate one club or Community Leader activity during the school day for one quarter (2nd year teachers and beyond only).

Student Growth Expectations:

Lead Teachers are expected to have a positive, measurable impact on student achievement, with all students showing growth in Reading, Math, and Writing from fall to spring.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Education (Master’s Degree preferred)
• Valid Teaching Certification
• Montessori Certification
• Minimum of 3 years successful teaching experience
• Deep understanding of child development and Montessori pedagogy
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data to inform instruction
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Commitment to ongoing professional learning and collaboration

Preferred Characteristics:

• Warm, respectful, and student-centered approach to teaching
• Reflective and growth-oriented mindset
• Passion for Montessori education and whole-child development
• Ability to build strong partnerships with students, staff, and families

Benefits:

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Retirement Plan (401k) with company matching
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

E-mail: [email protected]