Elementary Lead Guide

American Montessori Society Inc; Austin, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with matching

Life insurance

Paid vacation

Job summary

School in the Hills in Austin, TX is seeking an experienced Elementary Lead Guide to lead a Montessori classroom with an Assistant Guide and school leadership support.

You will present lessons across the Montessori curriculum, maintain high academic expectations, and foster independence and community, while collaborating with families and colleagues. A recognized Elementary credential and a Bachelor's degree are required, with relocation assistance available for qualified candidates.

Qualifications

• Must hold a recognized Lower or Upper Elementary Montessori credential or certification.
• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree considered for compensation.
• Demonstrated experience teaching at Lower or Upper Elementary level.
• Strong understanding of the second plane of development.
• Fluency with the Montessori Elementary curriculum, albums, and materials.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead a classroom with the support of an Assistant Guide and a larger Montessori team.
• Prepare and maintain a purposeful Elementary environment.
• Present lessons across the Montessori curriculum with depth and energy.
• Maintain high academic expectations while honoring development.
• Foster independence, curiosity, confidence, and community.
• Keep records of student progress and partner with families.
• Collaborate with guides and school leadership.

Skills

Montessori credential

Bachelor's degree

Montessori curriculum

Classroom leadership

Communication skills

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Montessori Lead Guide - Elementary Program

Austin, Texas | Full-Time | Relocation Assistance Available

Looking for your next Montessori home?

For nearly two decades, Montessori has been our true north.

School in the Hills is looking for an experienced, certified Elementary Lead Guide to join our Montessori community in Austin.

We love this age. Elementary children are curious, social, imaginative, and hungry to understand how the world works. The Great Lessons give them a universe to explore. Cosmic Education gives them connections to discover. The materials make abstract ideas tangible, and the classroom gives children the freedom and responsibility to take their learning further.

We are looking for a Guide who knows how to bring all of this to life, opening doors and giving children the space, tools, and confidence to walk through them.

Not in Austin? Don't let that stop you. Not in Austin? Don't let that stop you. A relocation bonus is available for qualified Guides.

The role

As an Elementary Lead Guide, you will lead a classroom with the support of an Assistant Guide and a larger team of Montessori educators and school leaders.

You will:

• Prepare and maintain a purposeful Elementary environment
• Present the lessons across the Montessori curriculum with depth, energy, and intention
• Maintain strong academic expectations while honoring each child's development
• Foster independence, responsibility, curiosity, confidence, and a strong classroom community
• Maintain thoughtful records of student progress and build genuine partnerships with families
• Collaborate closely with your Assistant Guide, fellow Lead Guides, and school leadership
• Bring your experience, ideas, and perspective to our Elementary program

What you bring

• A recognized Lower or Upper Elementary Montessori credential or certification
• Bachelor's degree required. Master's degree is a plus and factored into your compensation
• A subject, skill, or craft you know deeply and love to share, whether that's mathematics, science, Spanish, woodworking, gardening, music, art, or something we haven't thought of yet. We want to know what lights you up!
• Experience teaching at the Lower or Upper Elementary level
• A deep understanding of the second plane of development
• Fluency with the Montessori Elementary curriculum, albums, and materials
• Strong classroom leadership and organizational skills
• A kind, genuine, and empathetic approach to children and their families
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
• The confidence and calm to lead a busy community with grace and clarity
• Curiosity about your own practice and a willingness to keep learning
• A collaborative spirit and a desire to contribute to the larger school community

Bring what you know. Keep growing.

A Montessori classroom gets richer with time. So does the experience of guiding one.

There is a rhythm to the first year in a new school. You learn the children, the families, your classroom, your colleagues, and the culture around you. As those connections deepen, there is more room to refine your practice, follow new ideas, and make the classroom truly your own.

This is where your interests and strengths can add another dimension to the classroom. If there is something you love, we want to know about it. Science. Mathematics. Art. Music. Gardening. Literature. A hobby or interest we haven't thought of yet. Personal passions can become extraordinary learning experiences when they find their way into a Montessori environment.

We provide internal training, professional development, and opportunities for additional Montessori training and career development. With programs spanning Toddler through Upper Elementary, there are many ways for your interests and strengths to contribute to the larger school community.

A work environment built for longevity

Teaching well requires energy, creativity, and presence. We want our Guides to have the support and time away from school they need to sustain the work they love.

Our full-time benefits include:

• Paid vacation and paid sick time
• An additional 30 paid days during scheduled school closures and holidays
• Eligibility and accrual of sick time and holiday pay beginning immediately
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with matching contribution
• $50,000 of life insurance coverage at no cost to you
• Catered light breakfast and full lunch from our professional kitchen team
• Free tuition for Toddler and Primary-age children
• Internal training and professional development
• Opportunities for sponsorship for additional training and career development
• Year-round and 10-month academic-year schedules available
• Relocation assistance for qualified candidates

Compensation is competitive and reflects the experience, education, and Montessori expertise you bring to the role.