Lead Primary Guide

American Montessori Society Inc; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounted Parkmerced housing

Generous paid time off

Health, dental, vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Professional development & coaching

Job summary

Montessori Children’s Center in San Francisco seeks a Lead Primary Guide for ages 3-6 to lead a Montessori environment with a thoughtfully prepared classroom, uninterrupted work cycles, careful observation, and individualized presentations.

You will work with assistants, families, and school leadership to foster independence, concentration, curiosity, and care for others, while extending learning into nature, art, and movement.

Qualifications

• MACTE-accredited Primary 2.5-6 or 3-6 Montessori credential or equivalent.
• At least 1 year of experience as a Lead Primary Montessori Guide.
• Minimum of 12 semester units in Early Childhood Education or Child Development with CA core coursework.
• Ability to meet California childcare licensing requirements, including background clearance and health screening.
• CPR and First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain).
• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Guide individualized Montessori learning based on child readiness and interests.
• Prepare a beautiful, orderly classroom and maintain uninterrupted work cycles.
• Foster independence, concentration, intrinsic motivation, and social development.
• Lead the classroom team and mentor assistants.
• Maintain proactive communication with families, including progress updates.
• Maintain objective observations and records to guide curriculum planning.
• Extend learning beyond classroom with nature, gardening, art, and movement.

Skills

Observation and documentation

Communication with families

Mentoring assistants

Curriculum leadership

Education

MACTE Montessori credential or equivalent

12 semester units ECE/Child Development plus core CA coursework

Bachelor’s degree in ECE or related field

Job description

Lead Primary Guide for Ages 3 to 6
Montessori Children’s Center | San Francisco, CA
Full-time | $35-$42/hour, with higher pay based on experience and qualifications
Desired start: December 2026 - January 2027

Join a school that believes exceptional Montessori education begins with well-supported teachers.

Montessori Children’s Center is a classical Montessori school in the Parkmerced neighborhood of San Francisco, serving children ages 2-6.

Since 1976, MCC has helped generations of children develop independence, focus, confidence, and a genuine love of learning. Our classrooms are calm and thoughtfully prepared, our teaching is individualized, and our extensive outdoor space gives children daily opportunities to connect with nature.

Just as importantly, we are building a school where families feel proactively supported and teachers are consistently well cared for.

Why Teachers Choose MCC

• Discounted housing: Access to a discounted housing benefit in the Parkmerced neighborhood of San Francisco.

• Generous time off: Our academic calendar includes two weeks of winter break, one week of spring break, two weeks of summer break, mandated closures, and all federal holidays, in addition to paid time off..

• Health and financial benefits: Health, dental, and vision insurance, plus a 401(k) retirement savings plan.

• Wellness and coaching: Designated professional development and wellness days, and access to a private professional coaching benefit.

• Professional growth: Ongoing professional development, opportunities for career advancement, and regular compensation reviews as the school grows.

• A supportive environment: Work alongside a collaborative team that values thoughtful communication, professionalism, and respect for educators.

About the Role

As our Lead Primary Montessori Teacher (also known as Lead Primary Guide), you will lead a Montessori environment for children ages 3-6 and protect the conditions that make authentic Montessori learning possible: a thoughtfully prepared classroom, an uninterrupted work cycle, careful observation, individualized presentations, and respectful relationships.

You will work closely with assistant teachers, families, and school leadership while helping each child develop independence, concentration, curiosity, confidence, and care for others.

What You’ll Do

• Guide individualized Montessori learning: Observe children closely and deliver developmentally appropriate Montessori presentations based on each child’s readiness, interests, strengths, and individual path of development.

• Prepare the environment: Maintain a beautiful, orderly, safe, and inviting Montessori classroom with complete, accessible materials and protected uninterrupted work cycles.

• Support the whole child: Foster independence, concentration, intrinsic motivation, grace and courtesy, positive social development, and responsive self-care.

• Lead the classroom team: Mentor and collaborate with assistant teachers, provide clear guidance, model Montessori best practices, and contribute to a respectful and supportive team culture.

• Partner with families: Maintain proactive and thoughtful communication with families, including weekly progress reports through Illumine.

• Observe and document: Maintain objective observations and accurate records to guide curriculum planning, individualized instruction, family communication, and conferences.

• Extend learning beyond the classroom: Help develop and lead afternoon experiences in nature, gardening, art, music, movement, and other areas that respond to children’s interests and developmental needs.

All teachers also share responsibility for the active supervision, safety, care, and day-to-day functioning of the classroom and school.

Required Qualifications

• MACTE-accredited Primary 2.5-6 or 3-6 Montessori credential, or an equivalent Montessori credential or graduate degree in Montessori education from an accredited university, including programs outside the U.S. Each candidate's training is reviewed individually. Candidates currently enrolled in a MACTE-accredited program with a projected completion date within 12 months will also be considered.

• At least 1 year of experience as a Lead Primary Montessori Guide.

• Minimum of 12 semester units in Early Childhood Education or Child Development, including the California-required core coursework, or an out-of-state or international degree or coursework determined to be equivalent to California’s ECE requirements.

• Ability to meet California childcare licensing requirements, including background clearance, health screening and TB requirements, and Mandated Reporter Training.

• CPR and First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain certification prior to start date).

• Ability to work comfortably at a child’s level, move throughout indoor and outdoor environments, and lift up to 30 pounds.

Preferred Qualifications

• 2+ years of teaching experience in a licensed Montessori childcare center or preschool.

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field.

Compensation and Benefits

$35-$42/hour based on experience and qualifications.

Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) retirement savings plan, generous paid time off, professional development support, discounted Parkmerced housing, professional coaching, wellness benefits, and regular compensation reviews.

Montessori Children’s Center is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic.