Montessori Primary (Early Childhood) Lead Guide

Primary (Early Childhood) Lead Guide

The Montessori School of Long Grove, an AMS accredited private school, is seeking an AMI or AMS-credentialed Primary Guide to lead an established Primary community for the 2025-26 school year and for years to come. This is our 50th year serving the children and families of the surrounding Illinois communities. 

This full-time academic year position requires a dynamic Montessorian with a strong understanding of the implementation of the Montessori pedagogy for children 2.5 years through 6 years old. A genuine collaborator, an exceptional communicator, and confident leader – ready to guide the whole child in their activities academically, spiritually, emotionally, and physically. 

Qualifications:

• AMI or AMS Primary (Early Childhood) Certification Required.
• Bachelor’s Degree (preference given to those with a master’s degree and Illinois State Teaching Certification).  
• Ideal, but not required strong literacy background preferred (such as Orton-Gillingham, S.P.I.R.E., Wilson, or other Science of Reading intervention certifications).

Key Attributes and Skills:

• 2+ years’ experience working with Primary aged children (2.5 years - 6yrs).
• Ability to effectively positively collaborate with students, families, staff, and administrators.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with comfort in a variety of technology for record-keeping, student learning and support; as well as parent communication (i.e. newsletters, progress reports, etc.).
• Strong organizational skills, effective time management and strong work ethic.
• Receptive to input, feedback, and ideas.
• The ability to understand and work with students having a range of learning styles with curiosity, creativity and action.
• On-going desire to engage in continual development as an educator.
• Dedicated, reliable, committed to our school’s mission, vision and values.
• Ability to commit to the position for a minimum of three years.

Compensation: This is a full-time salaried position. Pay is based on experience and knowledge and is competitive to our area.

• Competitive salary and benefits package (starting salary commensurate with candidate's skill, experience, and qualifications)
• Benefit eligible, including health insurance, 401K after one year of employment, 50% discounted tuition for children
• Paid professional development
• 10-month academic year position and one two-week Montessori Primary Summer Session
• Position start date August 11, 2025

The Montessori School of Long Grove is located within the historic village of Long Grove, Illinois. Our historic farm building on almost 3 acres allows for a beautiful flow between indoor and outdoor prepared environments. We are a community working together to help children develop their own individual potential academically, socially, physically and emotionally. We believe strongly that our students’ daily school experience should be a happy and rewarding one! Our students are eager to learn, and we support their natural desire for knowledge with an authentically Montessori foundation.