Primary Directress

The Montessori School of Lone Tree (MSLT) is hiring a Directress that is certified by a recognized AMS or AMI program. The ideal candidate must have impeccable qualifications and experience in Montessori education to lead a classroom of 25 students and two teachers’ assistants. MSLT seeks candidates that are creative within the Montessori education pedagogy that adds to our forty-year legacy of Montessori excellence. The successful candidate must display and teach grace, peace, and courtesy in the classroom and in interactions with staff and families at all times. Candidates will have a record of working with children with a positive attitude and treating each child with dignity and respect. In addition, they will provide for staff growth by training assistants in the use of Montessori materials. The Directress will be a leader within MSLT so confident and humble leadership skills are desired. All applicants must be able to work in the United States as we cannot provide sponsorship to international candidates.    

About Us:

The Montessori School at Lone Tree has been nurturing children to grow into students with a love for learning and deep respect for life for 40 years. We have four beautiful classrooms each with one Lead Guide and two teacher assistants. We offer morning, half day, extended day, full day, and summer programs for early childhood aged students. We were the first Montessori School in the South Denver area and one of the first in the entire Denver Metro Area, and are proud to continue this legacy today! We maintain a ratio of 1 adult to every 5–10 students. Our teachers work together to know and honor each child’s individual potential and work to create an environment that inspires children. 

Directress Responsibilities: 

1. Responsible for planning and coordinating daily activities for a Montessori primary classroom

• Establish a Montessori learning environment by enriching every area on a rotating basis and according to each child’s needs.
• Interact with each child appropriately on his/her level of interest and understanding.
• Be punctual, reliable, and work your full workday.
• Take care of personal needs, materials, phone calls before class so you will be continually present to children and assistants during each work cycle.
• Responsible for the safety of children in your classroom, playground and in the facility, at all times.
• Follow the year's curriculum and coordinate with the Full Day Coordinator as needed.
• Attend all parent meetings, parent nights, picnics, and conferences.
• Other duties as assigned by the Head-of-School and/or Leadership team.

2. Classroom Management Skills

• Foster a “working team” atmosphere in the classroom and the entirety of the MSLT educational environment.
• Ensure the classroom environment is peaceful and positive and strive for all children to display grace and courtesy to each other, staff, and the materials. 
• Demonstrate confidence and professionalism when appropriate discipline is needed to maintain a peaceful classroom.
• Cycle assistants so children are attended to in each area of the classroom.
• Constantly use your observational skills to assist each child’s growth and safety.
• Follow school policy on discipline.
• Be responsible for inventory and maintenance of materials.
• Be present when the children arrive, and during the entire work cycle.

3. Communication

• Always greet each child and parent with a positive attitude.
• Listen to the children’s developing communication skills and facilitate each child’s intellectual, social, and emotional growth. 
• Practice teamwork using verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
• Plan weekly or bi-weekly staff meetings to review children’s work cycle, social needs, academic growth and independence.
• Record work and progress of each child to prepare for parent-teacher conferences.
• Support and participate in school in-services, training, parent and staff meetings.
• Promote positive social feelings between the staff and lend support when necessary.
• Write and send out monthly classroom newsletters.
• Participate fully in the phasing-in program, school and home visits.
• Listen to the concerns of the parents and their goals for their child and enact a plan to meet those goals. 
• Maintain excellent communication with Head-of-Schools on all matters related to MSLT and job function.  

4. Minimum Physical Requirements - Teaching and supervising preschool children are a physically and mentally taxing profession. 

• Must be able to lift and carry children up to six years of age (50 lbs. or more) as required.
• Must be able to carry and/or move shelving units, student tables and chairs as needed.
• Must be capable of sitting and /or kneeling on the floor for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to kneel and rise from a kneeling position on a continuous basis.
• Must be capable of bending and/or squatting to a child’s eye level on a continuous basis.
• Must be able to clean up children who have toileting accidents or are physically ill.
• Must have emotional stability to reflect peace, grace, and courtesy even under chaotic and stressful situations  

Required Qualifications: 

• Certified in Early Childhood by a recognized AMS, AMI, or MACTE accredited program
• Minimum of 2-5 years teaching experience
• Strong communication skills
• Understanding of and commitment to Montessori philosophy
• Ability to work collaboratively with faculty and Head of School to enhance curriculum and community
• Commitment to professionalism and reliable
• Understanding of the developmental, social, and emotional needs of children ages 2.5-6 from all different backgrounds. 
• Ability to instill a sense of wonder and curiosity in children of the world around them  

Additional Qualifications: 

•  Interest and drive to elevate our programs by using Montesori principles to build curriculm or experiential education in areas such as: 
  • Nature-based and outdoor learning or gardening teaching
  • Orff music methodology or other music-based learning techniques
  • World languages
  • Movement-based exploration and learning 

Please send a resume to Marci Pilon at operations@montessoriatlonetree.com. We look forward to hearing from you!