Lead Primary Montessori Teacher

Bezos Academy; Louisville (KY); On-site; USD 49,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

$8,000 sign-on bonus

32 paid days of breaks

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan with 4% employer match

Job summary

Bezos Academy in Louisville, KY is actively seeking a Montessori Lead Teacher to lead a classroom for children ages three to five. The role requires planning, preparing, and delivering engaging Montessori learning experiences and supporting the development of each child. Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree or 4 years of Montessori experience, strong communication skills, and the ability to work with diverse backgrounds. The position is full-time, offering a salary range of $49,000 - $78,000 per year, an $8,000 sign-on bonus, and extensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or 4 years of Montessori Lead Teacher experience.
• Two or more years of experience as a lead teacher.
• Demonstrated Montessori knowledge for ages 3-6.
• Ability to meet all credentialing criteria in Kentucky.
• Experience maintaining student progress records.
• Ability to independently supervise young children.

Responsibilities

• Lead Montessori learning experiences for children aged 3-5.
• Develop integrated units of instruction using Bezos Academy curriculum.
• Maintain a clean, orderly, and attractive classroom environment.
• Use assessment tools to guide instructional decisions.
• Communicate student progress to families and colleagues.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Child development expertise

Ability to work with diverse backgrounds

Supervision and care for young children

Record monitoring and maintenance

Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

Education

Bachelor's degree or Montessori experience

Credentialing criteria for Kentucky

Job description

As Montessori Lead Teacher, you will lead a classroom of up to 20 children ages three through five within a network of high quality, tuition-free, Montessori-inspired preschools in under-resourced communities. You will plan, prepare, and deliver instructional activities that facilitate active Montessori learning experiences. You will create learning opportunities that support the cognitive, language, social, emotional, and physical development of every child. You will build relationships and communicate regularly with families to support each child’s development. In this role, you will support one or more assistant teachers and report directly to the Head of School.

You share our passion for the Montessori method and have honed your skills as an early childhood practitioner with expertise in child development, strong communication skills, and experience working with students and families from diverse backgrounds in low‑income communities. Above all, you demonstrate passion for our mission to expand access to high quality preschool in under-resourced communities.

LOCATION

We are actively hiring Montessori Lead Teachers for our new preschool in Louisville – Riverport (3400 Cathe Dykstra Way, Louisville, KY 40216), opening in the fall of 2026.

We anticipate a start date in the summer of 2026 to support the launch of the school for the 2026‑2027 school year.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• This is a full‑time, benefits‑eligible, salaried position.
• The full salary range for this position is $49,000 - $78,000 per year. The upper third of the salary range is typically reserved for existing employees who have been in the role for multiple years and demonstrate strong performance over time. Starting salary will vary by qualifications and prior experience.
• This position offers an $8,000 sign‑on bonus ($3,000 on first paycheck, $2,500 after 90 days, and $2,500 after 6 months).
• This role includes 32 paid days of scheduled breaks, 3 paid days of personal time off, 9 paid days of sick (care) time, 10 paid holidays, and additional time off if required by applicable law. Benefits for this role include medical, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, a 401(k) plan with a 4% employer contribution match, paid parental leave, an employer‑matched flexible spending account for dependent care, and more. Please see here for details.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree (or 4 years of Montessori Primary Lead Teacher experience in lieu of a 4‑year degree)
• Two or more years of experience as a lead teacher or guide, teaching children from infancy through third grade with strong outcomes
• Demonstrated primary (age 3‑6) Montessori knowledge and skills
• Ability to meet all credentialing criteria (as laid out in Section 11) for lead early childhood teacher‑caregivers in Kentucky
• Ability to meet all additional state‑required training and eligibility requirements of Kentucky including clearing state‑required fingerprint clearance and background checks, tuberculosis tests, and so on, with required documentation of eligibility and training completion submitted to Bezos Academy prior to start of employment
• Experience monitoring and maintaining accurate records on the progress of individual students
• Ability to independently supervise, communicate effectively with, and care for young children safely, including ability to lift a minimum of 40 lbs
• Demonstrated personal commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and experience working across lines of difference

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Primary diploma from an AMI, AMS, or other MACTE‑accredited institute
• Experience teaching or guiding students in a child‑led learning environment (e.g., Montessori, Reggio)
• Experience working with children and families in low‑income communities in the US
• Experience working with children with special needs
• Proficient in a language other than English (particularly Spanish)

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plan, prepare, and deliver instructional activities that facilitate active Montessori learning experiences
• Use the Bezos Academy curriculum and current research‑based instructional practices to develop integrated units of instruction that meet both the group and individual needs of students
• Prepare and maintain a clean, orderly, and attractive Montessori environment with the instructional resources needed to meet the development needs of every child in the classroom
• Create an environment that demonstrates rapport with and respect and kindness for all students as well as between students
• Use Bezos Academy assessment tools/strategies such as observations, children’s work samples, continuums of development, portfolios, etc. to help make instructional decisions for individual students
• Monitor and maintain accurate records on the progress of individual students; use school‑approved screening and evaluation tools
• Use relevant, approved technology to support instruction
• Communicate necessary information regularly to students, colleagues, and families regarding student progress and student needs
• Establish a positive relationship with families and students, providing regular communication with families about their children
• Maintain teaching skills and participate in professional development activities
• Engage in on‑going self‑assessment and refinement of practice as well as in collaborative professional growth
• Participate in collegial activities and meetings designed to make the entire school a productive professional learning community
• Support the learning and development of assistant teachers
• If applicable, serve as a supervising teacher for teachers enrolled in Bezos Academy’s in‑house Montessori credentialing program, including providing feedback and completing progress evaluations
• Assume postures at low levels (e.g. kneeling, stooping, bending, and sitting on the floor) as needed to communicate effectively with children