Lead Teacher
Freedom Montessori Academy
Position Summary
The Lead Teacher at Freedom Montessori Academy is responsible for implementing lessons that our company creates to foster a peaceful, engaging, and inspiring Montessori learning environment where children develop academically, socially, emotionally, and physically. The Lead Teacher serves as a guide, mentor, and leader, fostering each child's natural curiosity while encouraging independence, responsibility, and a lifelong love of learning.
Working collaboratively with families, assistants, and fellow educators, the Lead Teacher upholds the Academy's mission of providing meaningful, hands-on education that connects students with nature, their community, and one another. This is a farm environment, and educators are outside. This is a nature program. The teacher must love the outdoors and be inspired to integrate aspects of learning into the outdoor environment. We will train the right candidate. Our students are home-educated, and we are their tutors.
Essential Responsibilities
- Prepare and maintain a beautiful, organized Montessori classroom that encourages independence and exploration.
- Guide students using Montessori philosophy and developmentally appropriate practices.
- Observe each child's growth and adapt lessons to meet individual learning needs.
- Develop engaging lessons in language, mathematics, science, cultural studies, practical life, and sensorial education. We will train you.
- Integrate outdoor and nature-based learning experiences into the daily curriculum.
- Foster a classroom culture built on kindness, respect, responsibility, and collaboration.
- Support students in developing leadership, critical thinking, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills.
- Maintain accurate student records, observations, and progress reports. We use an online system to make this easy.
- Communicate regularly with parents regarding student growth and development.
- Participate in parent conferences, school events, open houses, and community outreach.
- Supervise classroom assistants and volunteers while providing guidance and support.
- Ensure a safe, healthy, and inclusive learning environment.
- Maintain classroom materials and prepare new learning activities as needed.
- Participate in ongoing professional development and staff meetings.
- Model professionalism, integrity, and lifelong learning.
Nature-Based Learning
Freedom Montessori Academy values meaningful experiences in nature. The Lead Teacher will:
- Incorporate outdoor learning into weekly instruction.
- Encourage environmental stewardship through gardening, animal care, and sustainability projects. Horses and chickens on site. Knowledge of animals is a plus.
- Guide students in observing and appreciating the natural world.
- Support hands-on agricultural and environmental learning experiences.
Community Engagement
As a Benefit Corporation, Freedom Montessori Academy is committed to strengthening the community through service and education. The Lead Teacher will:
- Encourage student participation in community service projects.
- Teach gratitude, empathy, and civic responsibility.
- Support fundraising activities that benefit local organizations and those who serve others.
- Help create educational opportunities that are accessible to the surrounding community.
Qualifications
- Montessori Credential (AMI, AMS, or MACTE-accredited program preferred) or willingness to obtain certification.
- Other forms of Nature-based learning are valued
- Bachelor's degree in Education or a related field preferred.
- Experience working in a Montessori classroom is a plus.
- Strong classroom management and organizational skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Passion for child-centered education.
- Ability to work collaboratively with staff and families.
- CPR/First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain).
- Successful completion of required background screening.
Preferred Qualities
- Passion for outdoor education and environmental stewardship.
- Experience with mixed-age classrooms.
- Creativity, flexibility, and initiative.
- Strong observation skills.
- Positive attitude and growth mindset.
- Commitment to respect for all learners.
- Ability to inspire curiosity and joyful learning.