Casa (Ages 3-6) Co-Guide

Sunny Hollow; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Sunny Hollow Montessori in Saint Paul, MN seeks a Co-Guide to lead and sustain an authentic Montessori environment. You will work in equal partnership with another Guide, delivering lessons, supporting student independence, and collaborating with families in a full-time, on-site setting.

Ideal candidates have a BA/BS and an AMI/AMS credential or are in a recognized training program, with 1–3 years in Montessori classrooms and strong communication, collaboration, and organizational skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• AMI or AMS Teaching Diploma/Credential appropriate to program level, or currently enrolled in a recognized training program.
• 1–3 years of teaching experience in a Montessori school setting.

Responsibilities

• Co-create and maintain a high-quality Montessori learning environment across all domains.
• Deliver lessons to large groups, small groups, and individuals per Montessori curriculum and readiness.
• Collaboratively develop and implement individualized curriculum plans and classroom interventions.

Skills

Communication

Collaboration

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

AMI/AMS Diploma or in training

Job description

About Sunny Hollow Montessori

Sunny Hollow offers authentic Montessori education for children ages 16 months through Junior High.

This consistent, connected experience—from toddlerhood to teenager—creates a sense of trust, belonging, and courage. Our students feel safe to try, explore, and grow. Our classrooms follow the international, high-quality standards of the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI). They are designed to foster students’ natural curiosity, their desire to “do it myself,” and their independence. Sunny Hollow parents appreciate that our classrooms are no- or low-tech. Our materials are real wood and real glass and really delightful.

Position Summary

The Co-Guide serves as an educational leader in the Montessori classroom and shares full responsibility for creating and sustaining an authentic Montessori environment that supports the academic, social, emotional, and developmental needs of children or adolescents. Working in equal partnership, Co-Guides collaborate closely with one another, as well as with families, colleagues, and support professionals, to ensure the holistic success of each student.

Education & Experience

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree (BA or BS) required.
• AMI or AMS Teaching Diploma/Credential appropriate to program level, or currently enrolled in a recognized training program.

Experience:

• 1-3 years of teaching experience in a Montessori school setting.

Certifications & Competencies:

• Completion of all annual training as required by DHS and OSHA, as applicable.
• Demonstrated understanding of Montessori philosophy and methodology.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and organizational skills.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Montessori Environment and Instruction

• Co-create and maintain a high-quality Montessori learning environment that supports optimal growth and development across all domains.
• Share responsibility for delivering lessons to large groups, small groups, and individuals, aligned with Montessori curriculum and student readiness.
• Collaboratively develop and implement individualized curriculum plans and classroom interventions.
• Maintain an organized environment with attention to order, beauty, completeness, and accessibility to promote independent use by children.
• Maintain accurate and timely student records using Transparent Classroom.
• Guide children in developing independence, responsibility, and a love of learning.

Health, Safety, and Classroom Management

• Jointly ensure the safety and well-being of all students at all times.
• Share in the supervision of students throughout the school day, including transitions, outdoor play, and shared spaces.
• Partner to maintain a clean, organized, and inviting classroom, hallway, storage, and outdoor environment.

Family Engagement & Communication

• Collaborate on monthly classroom newsletters and photo documentation for Transparent Classroom.
• Co-lead family conferences twice a year and additional conferences as needed.
• Participate in the school’s admissions and enrollment process, including meeting with prospective students and families.
• Support and attend school-wide events such as parent education, performances, exhibitions, and community celebrations.

Collaboration & Student Support

• Work collaboratively with each other and with Tier 2 and Tier 3 support professionals to meet student needs.
• Facilitate smooth transitions between program levels by coordinating with other classroom teams.
• Attend and participate in scheduled meetings including One-on-One, Team, Level, Cross-Level, All Staff, Committee, IEP, and Child Study meetings.

Professional Development & School Community Engagement

• Engage in self-assessment and peer evaluation in alignment with school professional development processes.
• Set and pursue annual professional goals with ongoing relevant development.
• Support family education, community-building, and retention efforts as outlined in the school calendar and handbook.
• Participate in school fundraising events and advancement initiatives.

Mentorship & Team Collaboration (if an Assistant Guide is present)

• Share leadership in establishing and maintaining classroom tone, expectations, and procedures.
• Hold regular team meetings with any Assistant Guides.
• Support the Assistant’s understanding of Montessori philosophy, classroom roles, and professional growth.
• Provide ongoing feedback and participate in performance evaluations.

Administrative & Program Support

• Share in managing the classroom budget in alignment with school guidelines.
• Assist in the planning and participation of overnight or extended school trips, where applicable.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit on the floor and move easily to engage with children at their level.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the day.
• Frequent bending, kneeling, crouching, and reaching as part of daily classroom activities.
• Ability to life and carry up to 40 pounds (e.g. classroom materials or assisting a child).
• Physical stamina to supervise and support students during a full school day.
• Comfortable working in both indoor and outdoor environments, including varying weather conditions.

Work Environment

The Co-Guide works in a carefully prepared Montessori classroom designed to foster independence, concentration, and joyful learning. This role is highly interactive and physically active, requiring frequent movement between standing, walking, sitting on the floor, bending, and lifting up to 40 pounds. Co-Guides engage fully with students throughout the day—indoors and outdoors, in all seasons—while maintaining a calm, orderly, and inviting environment. The position demands stamina, focus, and adaptability, as well as a collaborative spirit and a deep commitment to child-centered education. Co-Guides work in equal partnership with one another and in close coordination with families and school staff. This is a full-time, on-site position; remote work is not available.

Benefits

We offer comprehensive benefits including health, dental, and vision insurance, a retirement savings plan, paid time off, and more.

Sunny Hollow Montessori is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. Please visit our website at Welcome to Sunny Hollow Montessori | Guiding children from infancy to adulthood