Upper Elementary Teacher (4th to 6th Grades)

We seek a joyful, hard-working, student-centered, and compassionate Montessori educator to join our fourth- through sixth-grade Upper Elementary team. We seek someone who shares our belief that elementary students are filled with potential, ability, and capability; who understands that this age student is trying to create their identity on what sort of person they will be as they head into adolescence; who knows students need adults who listen to them and believe in them; who is willing to gracefully roll up their sleeves and do whatever is needed to help nurture and challenge the students. We seek someone who prides themselves on working hard, on loving and empowering our students, and in helping students build the foundation for future success at our School and throughout their lives.

Greensboro Montessori School is a thriving and financially secure 49-year-old, toddler-to-junior-high, AMS- and SAIS-accredited, 260-student independent school. Our students have access to our 40-acre, wooded, satellite Land Campus, two activity buses, a team of cultural education faculty (art, computer science, music, Spanish, PE), a strong Student Support Team, and a crew of environmental educators to work with students in our 20-year-old permaculture gardens and teaching kitchen. Our Upper Elementary division currently has four lead teachers who all work together to guide our students. Due to some growth in the division’s enrollment next year and our reflections on the best way to organize our team for 2023 - 24, we are looking to potentially expand our teaching team. 

Depending on the experience and background of an applicant, there is potential for this role to be either an assistant role or a lead teacher role.

Most important to us is that our new teammate, especially if they assume a lead teacher role:

• Is mission aligned, whether with Montessori training and experience or at least similar experience and training in a similar child-centered, constructivist, and experiential pedagogy.
• Is comfortable teaching multiple disciplines and has a specialty teaching writing and reading skills.
• Is a team player who flexibly shares the many spaces, tasks, and responsibilities of teaching.
• Uses respectful language and a positive guidance approach with students.
• Can give students space to safely make and learn from their mistakes.
• Is a very strong communicator, in both written and verbal forms, with students, colleagues, and families.
• Knows important learning happens outside the classroom, including on overnight trips, expeditions to the School’s wooded 40-acre satellite campus, through student performing arts productions, playing sports, or working with students after-school when needed.
• Will find daily joy in their work.

 Education and qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in education, elementary education or a related discipline is required; master’s degree is preferred.
• An AMS, AMI, or Diploma in Elementary II from a MACTE recognized or affiliate Teacher Education Program (or an openness to immediately obtaining one) is required for a lead teacher role and welcome for an assistant teacher role.
• Experience working in a child-centered, constructivist elementary program is required, while experience in a Montessori classroom environment is preferred.
• Spanish speaking skills are a plus.
• A commitment to equity and inclusion is required.

If you are from outside the Piedmont Triad area of North Carolina, know that this state is a fantastic place to live and that Greensboro is a wonderful, affordable, medium-sized city. Relocation support is available.

This is a 10-month, full-time position that begins in August of 2023. Compensation will be commensurate with experience. If not already Montessori trained, we can provide Montessori training and certification through intensive Montessori summer training classes. If you think you have what we’re looking for, we would like to hear from you. Please email a cover letter and résumé to Ashley Daniels, director of human resources, at HR@gms.org.

Greensboro Montessori School does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, gender, disability, age, national origin, marital status, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status with respect to recruitment, hiring, compensation, terms, conditions or privileges of employment