Lead Montessori Teacher

American Montessori Society Inc; Newburyport (MA); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

River Valley Charter School is seeking a Lead Teacher to provide authentic Montessori instruction aligned with grade-level standards. The role includes managing a prepared environment, differentiating for multilingual learners, and supervising assistants.

You will partner with specialists and families, lead conferences, track progress, and contribute to school initiatives while upholding Montessori practices and professional expectations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required and Massachusetts licensure.
• Montessori certification (AMI, AMS) preferred.
• Experience with English Learners and sheltered instruction.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver authentic Montessori instruction aligned to student needs.
• Maintain a prepared Montessori classroom environment and routines.
• Coach and supervise assistant teachers and support staff.
• Differentiate instruction for multilingual learners and use MTSS/SST as needed.
• Collaborate with specialists and families to support student growth.
• Lead conferences and communicate progress through reports.

Skills

Montessori philosophy

Observation and assessment

Family communication

Differentiated instruction

Education

Bachelor's degree

Massachusetts educator licensure

Montessori certification (AMI/AMS)

Job description

Position Title: Lead Teacher

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Purpose: The Teacher is responsible for creating and sustaining an authentic Montessori learning environment that supports the academic, social, and emotional development of all students. The Lead Teacher leverages Montessori methods as the primary instructional approach, creating hands‑on, inquiry-based learning experiences while ensuring all students make measurable progress toward grade-level standards over time. River Valley believes all students are capable of rigorous learning and meaningful growth, and teachers are responsible for ensuring students have access to challenging, high-quality instruction aligned to both Montessori principles and grade-level standards.

Core Responsibilities:

Montessori Instructional Practice:

• Maintain uninterrupted daily work cycles that allow for deep concentration and independent learning
• Deliver individualized and small-group lessons based on ongoing observation of student readiness
• Ensure consistent and purposeful use of Montessori materials as primary instructional tools
• Design and maintain a prepared environment that reflects order, beauty, accessibility, and student independence
• Foster student independence, intrinsic motivation, and responsibility for learning
• Explicitly teach and reinforce grace and courtesy and community expectations

Student Learning and Outcomes:

• Demonstrate working knowledge of Montessori scope and sequence and Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks
• Track student progress toward grade‑level standards using school‑defined benchmarks
• Ensure students make measurable academic progress across the multi‑year cycle
• Use formal and informal assessment data to differentiate instruction, provide targeted academic and language supports, and ensure all students make meaningful progress toward grade‑level standards.
• Identify students needing additional support, including English Learners, and collaborate with interventionists, special education staff, and English Learner staff to implement appropriate instructional supports, accommodations, and interventions (MTSS/SST, IEPs, 504s, and language development plans).
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of student progress and learning

Classroom Leadership and Team Management:

• Serve as the instructional leader of the classroom, including direction and coaching of assistant teachers
• Establish and maintain a calm, orderly, and productive learning environment
• Ensure effective classroom routines, transitions, and expectations
• Maintain appropriate inventory, care, and use of classroom materials
• Collaborate with specialists, English Learner staff, special education staff, and other support personnel to ensure equitable access to instruction and meet the diverse needs of all students.

Family Partnership and Communication:

• Build strong, respectful relationships with families
• Communicate regularly and proactively about student progress and needs
• Lead conferences and contribute to written progress reports
• Support family understanding of the Montessori model and student development

Professional Practice and Growth:

• Engage in ongoing professional learning aligned to Montessori practice and student outcomes
• Participate actively in coaching, observation, and feedback cycles
• Collaborate with colleagues to improve instructional practice and student outcomes
• Reflect on practice and implement feedback to improve effectiveness
• Uphold all school policies, procedures, and professional expectations
• Participate in school-wide initiatives, committees, events, and improvement efforts as assigned.

Essential Functions:

The essential functions of the Lead Teacher position include, but are not limited to:

• Planning and delivering high-quality Montessori instruction aligned to student developmental needs and grade-level expectations
• Maintaining an authentic Montessori prepared environment, including effective implementation of the uninterrupted work cycle and purposeful use of Montessori materials
• Differentiate instruction and implement evidence-based sheltered instructional practices to ensure English Learners have meaningful access to grade-level curriculum and opportunities for language development.
• Observing students regularly and using assessment data to guide instructional decisions and individualized support
• Monitoring student progress and maintaining accurate instructional and student records
• Establishing and maintaining a safe, calm, orderly, and productive classroom environment
• Supervising, guiding, and supporting assistant teachers and coordinating classroom responsibilities effectively
• Supporting a range of student learning, behavioral, social-emotional, and developmental needs
• Building and maintaining professional, collaborative relationships with students, families, colleagues, and support staff
• Communicating clearly and professionally regarding student progress, concerns, and classroom expectations
• Participating in meetings, conferences, professional development, school events, and other assigned responsibilities
• Performing duties that require frequent movement throughout the classroom and school environment, including active engagement with students across instructional settings
• Regular and reliable attendance

Performance Expectations:

Instructional Practice

• Fidelity to the Montessori model, including effective implementation of the work cycle, purposeful use of materials, and a well-prepared environment
• Quality of instruction, including clarity of lessons, responsiveness to student needs, and ability to advance student understanding
• Effective use of observation to inform instruction and lesson planning

Student Outcomes

• Evidence of student academic growth over time
• Progress toward grade‑level standards across subject areas
• Effective support for a range of learners, including those needing additional challenge or support

Instructional Systems and Execution

• Consistent and effective implementation of classroom systems (work cycle, lesson tracking, student follow‑up)
• Clear systems for monitoring student progress and ensuring instructional follow‑through
• Efficient and purposeful use of instructional time

Professional Responsibilities

• Effective collaboration and communication with colleagues, specialists, and families
• Contribution to a positive, respectful, and productive school culture
• Responsiveness to feedback and commitment to continuous improvement
• Reliability, organization, and adherence to school expectations

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required (Master’s preferred)
• Massachusetts educator licensure (or ability to obtain)
• Montessori certification (AMI, AMS, or equivalent) preferred
• Holds a Massachusetts Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) Teacher Endorsement or, if assigned English Learners and not currently endorsed, agrees to obtain the SEI Endorsement within one (1) year of assignment in accordance with Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) requirements.
• Experience working with children in a Montessori or similar setting
• Demonstrated knowledge of child development, differentiated instruction, and effective sheltered instructional practices to support multilingual learners.

Key Competencies:

• Deep understanding of Montessori philosophy and practice
• Ability to balance individualized instruction with standards-based expectations
• Strong observation and assessment skills
• Effective communication and collaboration
• Reflective practice and openness to feedback

Additional Employment Information:

Equal Employment Opportunity

RVCS provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, lactation, childbirth, and related medical conditions), gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, military service or veteran status, citizenship status, or any other classification protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer and compensation. RVCS prohibits unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any kind.

At-Will Employment

Employment with RVCS is at-will. This means that either the employee or RVCS may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or advance notice, to the extent permitted by applicable law. Nothing in this job description or any other document shall be construed to create a contract of employment or alter the at‑will nature of employment.

ADA Accommodation Statement

RVCS is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of the position. RVCS will engage in an interactive process to determine appropriate accommodations. Applicants or employees who require an accommodation should notify Human Resources.

Job Duties Disclaimer

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. It is not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications required for the position. RVCS reserves the right to modify, assign, or remove duties and responsibilities at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with business needs.