Preschool Lead Teacher

Montessori School of Silicon Valley; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salaries

Medical & dental insurance

Paid sick leave

PTO and holidays

Tuition discounts for staff

401K matching and retirement plan

Ongoing professional development

Continued Montessori training

Supportive school community

Job summary

Cabrillo Montessori School in Santa Clara seeks an experienced Montessori Early Primary Lead Guide to lead the Sequoia Community for ages 2.5–4.5, guiding a small teaching team in a thoughtfully prepared Montessori environment.

The role emphasizes child-led learning, warmth, and collaboration with families and colleagues, with a focus on independence, language, and social growth within a 24-child classroom.

Qualifications

• Experience with toddler/preschool-aged children
• Passion for Montessori education and child-led learning
• Warm, peaceful classroom environment
• Confident leading and collaborating with teaching team
• Values strong relationships with children, families and colleagues
• Hands-on activities like gardening, cooking, art, practical life, science, STEM
• Committed to ongoing professional growth and development

Responsibilities

• Lead the Early Primary Sequoia classroom with a teaching team to create a prepared Montessori environment.
• Foster independence, curiosity, and social skills in 2.5–4.5 age group.
• Collaborate with assistants to support a 24-child classroom.

Skills

Early childhood education

Montessori education

Leadership / team leadership

Classroom management

Parent/family relations

Hands-on learning activities

Job description

Montessori Early Primary Lead Guide / Preschool Lead Teacher – Ages 2.5–4.5

Are you an experienced early childhood educator who is passionate about Montessori education and ready to lead a classroom community? Join our team at Cabrillo Montessori School in Santa Clara! Our beautiful school is designed to support each child’s natural curiosity, growing independence, confidence, and love of learning.

At Cabrillo Montessori School, we believe in creating a warm and consistent environment where children feel safe, supported, and encouraged to explore the world around them. Our fully implemented Montessori programs foster independence, creativity, problem-solving, and strong social connections while honoring each child’s individual pace of development.

Our Sequoia Community serves children ages 2.5–4.5 and provides a wonderful bridge between the toddler and traditional Primary years. This unique Early Primary environment supports children during an exciting stage of development as they build greater independence, strengthen language and social skills, and develop the confidence to become capable members of their classroom community. This is a new and growing classroom with a great opportunity to help build the classroom from 12 children to 24 children. Our Sequoia Community will serve 24 children with 3 teachers: 1 Lead Guide and 2 Assistant Teachers.

As the Early Primary Lead Guide, you will lead the classroom community while working closely with your teaching team to create a beautiful, engaging, and thoughtfully prepared Montessori environment.

We are looking for a caring and dedicated Lead Guide who:

• Has experience working with toddler and/or preschool-aged children
• Is passionate about Montessori education and child-led learning
• Enjoys creating a warm, peaceful, and engaging classroom environment
• Is confident leading and collaborating with a classroom teaching team
• Values strong, positive relationships with children, families, and colleagues
• Enjoys incorporating hands‑on experiences such as gardening, cooking, art, practical life, science, and STEM into the children’s day
• Is committed to continued professional growth and development as an educator

Why Join Cabrillo Montessori School?

• Competitive salaries
• Medical & dental insurance
• Paid sick leave, PTO, and holidays
• Tuition discounts for staff
• 401K matching and retirement plan
• Ongoing professional development opportunities and tuition reimbursement
• Opportunities for continued Montessori training and professional growth
• A supportive school community that values collaboration, consistency, and high-quality Montessori education

If you are an early childhood educator who loves helping young children become confident, capable, and independent learners and are ready to take the lead in a supportive Montessori community, we’d love to hear from you!