Lead Toddler Teacher

Luminary Montessori; Hendersonville (TN); On-site; USD 36,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

Professional development support

Montessori credentialing support

Brand-new facility

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Luminary Montessori, opening January 2027 in Hendersonville, TN, seeks a Toddler Community guide for 15 months to 3 years. Join a founder-led, mission-driven team in a brand-new, purpose-built facility. You will mentor an assistant and collaborate with families to support independence and early language development.

Qualifications include Montessori Infant & Toddler credential and a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education. Competitive benefits and credentialing support offered.

Qualifications

• Montessori Infant & Toddler credential (AMI 0-3 / AMS / MACTE) strongly preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or related field preferred.
• Experience with children 12 months to 3 years in a group setting.
• Calm authority, physical stamina, and genuine respect for toddler autonomy.

Responsibilities

• Prepare a toddler environment scaled to the child - real tools, child-sized furniture, accessible shelves, and orderly sequences that invite independence.
• Present practical-life and language activities, and support self-care: dressing, hand-washing, food preparation, and cleaning up.
• Support toilet learning in partnership with families, without pressure, charts, or reward systems.
• Guide social development and conflict through grace and courtesy rather than time-outs or punitive systems.
• Observe and record daily, adapting the environment to each child's developmental moment.
• Partner with families through conferences and daily communication.
• Mentor and direct an assistant teacher; maintain health, safety, and ratios.

Skills

Calm authority

Respect for toddler autonomy

Group care (12-36 months)

Child development understanding

Education

Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or related field

Montessori Infant & Toddler credential (AMI 0-3 / AMS / MACTE)

Job description

Toddler Community, 15 months - 3 years - Luminary Montessori - Hendersonville, TN - Full-time

Start: January 2027, ahead of our January 2027 opening

Luminary Montessori is a new, authentic Montessori school opening in January 2027 in Hendersonville, Tennessee - serving children from 10 weeks to six years in a beautiful, purpose-built facility, with the operational excellence of the best programs.

Role Summary

Guide the Toddler Community through the period Montessori called the greatest work of a human life - the move from dependence to "help me do it myself." Practical life, the language explosion, toilet learning, and the first lessons in grace and courtesy.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare a toddler environment scaled to the child - real tools, child-sized furniture, accessible shelves, and orderly sequences that invite independence
• Present practical-life and language activities, and support self-care: dressing, hand-washing, food preparation, and cleaning up
• Support toilet learning in partnership with families, without pressure, charts, or reward systems
• Guide social development and conflict through grace and courtesy rather than time-outs or punitive systems
• Observe and record daily, adapting the environment to each child's developmental moment
• Partner with families through conferences and daily communication
• Mentor and direct an assistant teacher; maintain health, safety, and ratios

Qualifications

• Montessori Infant & Toddler credential (AMI 0-3 / AMS / MACTE) strongly preferred - credentialing support available for the right candidate
• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field preferred
• Experience with children 12 months to 3 years in a group setting
• Calm authority, physical stamina, and genuine respect for toddler autonomy

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and a full benefits package - health insurance, vision, dental, 401(k), and paid time off
• Paid professional development and Montessori credentialing support
• A beautiful, brand-new, purpose-built facility
• A founder-led, mission-driven, supportive culture
• Growth opportunities as we open additional classrooms and schools

Luminary Montessori is an equal-opportunity employer.