Lead Preschool Teacher Fairfax, VA

Guidepost Montessori; Fairfax (VA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic team at a forward-thinking Montessori school, where you will empower young learners aged 3 to 6 to thrive in a nurturing environment. As a Lead Children's House Guide, you will create a beautiful classroom that fosters independence and self-confidence while providing personalized support to each child. This role allows you to make a meaningful impact on children's lives by cultivating their love for learning and helping them develop essential skills. If you are passionate about early childhood education and eager to collaborate with parents and peers, this is the perfect opportunity for you!

Benefits

Sponsored Montessori diploma

75% tuition discount for children

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off

Career growth opportunities

Supportive peer network

Qualifications

• Passion for child-led learning and experience with preschool-aged children.
• Willingness to obtain Montessori diploma and engage in professional development.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and maintain a nurturing Montessori environment for children.
• Provide individual and group lessons to foster independence and learning.
• Observe and support each child's physical, emotional, and intellectual needs.

Skills

Montessori teaching methods

Child development knowledge

Classroom management

Communication skills

Collaboration with parents

Education

Montessori diploma for 3-6

Bachelor’s Degree

Early Childhood Education credits

Tools

Montessori materials

Child-sized furniture

Job description

We are now hiring a Lead Children's House Guide for our lovely Guidepost Montessori School at Fairfax!

Get the opportunity to empower 3 to 6-year-olds to gain independence, self-confidence, and an enduring love of learning!

Your Role

We're looking for an enthusiastic, dedicated Lead Guide (Teacher) to support a mixed-age class of preschool age children in a Montessori environment. In a Montessori class, guides (teachers) carefully prepare an environment that fosters independence and captivates a child’s interest. Guides provide personalized support to each child, working with them individually and in small groups, demonstrating how to use the materials and perform activities with them, and giving precise language to understand their experiences.

Because of the carefully prepared environment and individualized support, children in a Montessori class have tremendous liberty to explore the environment and work on materials of their choice for as long as they want. Most importantly, the support and materials help every child develop skills, confidence, and a firm conviction that they are capable. We’re looking for a Lead Guide who will bring their best in order to support every child in reaching their highest potential!

Children’s House Lead Guides:

• Observe each child closely to understand and meet their physical, intellectual, and emotional needs.
• Prepare a beautiful, orderly environment that fosters concentration, independence, and deep learning.
• Cultivate independence and self-confidence by helping children ‘do it all by themselves’.
• Provide individual and small-group lessons to support each child’s development in practical skills, literacy, math, and so much more.
• Form personal connections with each child and cultivate a community of respect.
• Communicate and collaborate respectfully with parents to provide the best possible support for every child.

The Montessori Prepared Environment

Every classroom at Guidepost comes equipped with the full range of high-quality Montessori materials for the Children’s House curriculum, as well as a budget for guides to personalize their space. Each classroom is set up according to the Montessori principles of beauty and order and is designed to enable every child to learn, concentrate, and confidently achieve their independence.

A Guidepost Montessori Children’s House space features:

• Child-sized furniture and ample floor space for children to work independently or in small groups.
• Practical life materials for children to sweep, set the table, dust, prepare meals, and so much more.
• Curriculum for independence in dressing themselves, feeding themselves, caring for the space, etc.
• Scientifically designed, hands-on learning materials for gaining core knowledge in math, literacy, science, and so much more.
• All materials made accessible to children on low shelves and all art at the child’s level.
• Cozy reading areas, real plants, and plenty of natural light.
• Breakable objects made from natural materials like wood, metal, and glass rather than plastic.

If you’re passionate about giving children the tools they need to succeed, eager to partner with parents on their child’s journey, and longing to join a collaborative community of peers, then the team at Guidepost Montessori would love to hear from you!

An ideal candidate has:

• Obtained or willing to obtain a Montessori diploma for 3-6.
• Experience working with children ages 3-6 in a group setting such as daycare, aftercare, or preschool.
• Familiarity with child-led philosophies such as Reggio Emilia or Montessori and/or open to learning more!
• Early Childhood Education (ECE) or Child Development credits.
• Earned a Bachelor’s Degree (any subject).

What we offer:

• The opportunity to contribute to a high-quality Montessori program that serves the individual needs of each child.
• Sponsored Montessori diploma and ongoing professional development through the Prepared Montessorian Institute.
• 75% tuition discount for two children at any school in our network (we serve children from 3-months-old through 12th grade).
• A network of supportive peers and mentors who appreciate your valuable contributions and regularly share best practices.
• Abundant career growth and promotion opportunities.
• A competitive salary.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid time off and paid holidays.

About Us

Guidepost Montessori is a growing network of 120+ Montessori schools, serving children ages 0-12 in our Nido, Toddler, Children’s House, and Elementary programs. And with schools from Shanghai to Paris and California to New York, as well as virtual school and homeschooling support, there are countless opportunities for passionate educators to support children on their individual path to success.

At Guidepost, we believe children are capable and we design an education for independence. We’re on a mission to radically transform education based on this belief—for children, parents, and educators!

Our mission? Children who fully experience and joyfully achieve their own development; children who can reach their highest potential and flourish—in school and in life!

If you love children and have been looking for the right opportunity to grow, join our school community by applying below!