About this opportunity
American Montessori Society Inc lists this Lead Primary Guide *housing available* opportunity in town of rhinebeck, New York. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
Wildflower Montessori is a boutique school in the Hudson Valley opening in January 2027* serving students from infancy through age 5. Situated on 5 acres, our curriculum lives at the intersection of Montessori practice, nature-based learning, and project-based inquiry. We are looking for founding guides who hold a deep respect for the child, love to learn alongside their students, and are eager to help us grow this vision from the ground up.
*Primary classroomwill begin in September in an alternate location.
The Role
We are looking for a Lead Guide for our Nova classroom (3 years to 6 years) who will be responsible for building a nurturing environment based on the needs and curiosities of the children in the space. The ideal educator for this role is a curious, lifelong learner who is passionate about early childhood. You should be someone who can build strong, trusting relationships with families and design experiences to extend wonder in our Primary students, enabling authentic learning when kids realize they need specific skills to reach their goals.
The Nova lead strives to truly see each child, curating their experience based on who they are and where they are developmentally. You should be comfortable moving beyond a traditional Montessori setting, incorporating a project-based, child-led approach and daily immersion outdoors in the garden and forest. Alongside our Curriculum Director, the Nova lead will help design and build Wildflower’s outdoor spaces and programming based on the ideas brought by the children in the school.
Key Responsibilities
Classroom & Observation: Create and maintain a purposeful, curated, and organized environment that encourages movement and self-directed discovery. Observe, document, and reflect on developmental and academic progress of each child and adapt the environment and materials to their emerging skills and interest through both independent Montessori work and collaborative group projects.
Family Partnership: Act as the primary point of contact for families, providing clear communication regarding their child’s development and daily transitions.
Outdoor Exploration: Lead daily outdoor immersion, regardless of the weather, facilitating sensory discovery and wonder in a natural setting.
Mentorship: Serve as a mentor to the Assistant Guide, modeling the school’s values of respect and inquiry while fostering a collaborative team environment.
Ensure all daily operations meet NYS OCFS regulations, including safe sleep, feeding, and hygiene standards.
Full participation in school events, meetings, and professional development required.
Qualifications
Certification: Montessori Primary (3–6) credential or a commitment to obtaining one is required. We are happy to discuss how we can support your enrollment and growth within an accredited certification program.
Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in a Primary classroom setting.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field.
You are comfortable with the startup nature of a new school and hold a desire to help shape school culture. You enjoy collaborating and planning with team members and are receptive to coaching and feedback. Wildflower dedicates resources and time for regular professional growth and training.
Ability to navigate uneven forest terrain and work outdoors in various weather conditions.
Benefits & Additional Information
Housing : Eligibility to apply for a potential on campus affordable housing benefit available for a limited number of teachers.
Compensation is commensurate with experience and current market standards.
We are a team that cares, learns, and grows together. If you're passionate about the early childhood world, we want to hear from you - even if you don't meet every qualification listed.
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Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.