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Montessori School — Nashville, TN

Elementary Program Director

Montessori School — Nashville, TN · TN

A well established Montessori school in Nashville, Tennessee is seeking an experienced and committed Montessori educator to serve as its next Elementary Program Director.

This is a senior leadership position responsible for the overall quality, development and day to day functioning of the school's Elementary program. The successful candidate will join the school's Leadership Team and work closely with the Head of School and other members of the administrative team.

The school is committed to authentic Montessori education and to creating a collaborative, inclusive and genuinely child centered prepared environment.

The Elementary Program

The Elementary program currently serves approximately 71 students across three classrooms:

  • Two Lower Elementary classrooms
  • One Upper Elementary classroom

The existing Elementary Guides are Montessori trained or currently completing their training.

The Program Director will provide leadership across the program while remaining closely connected to the classroom environment and the experience of the children and Guides.

The Opportunity

This position combines Montessori educational leadership with program administration.

The Director will lead the continued development of the Elementary program while supporting curriculum, staff development, family engagement, scheduling, admissions, professional development and accreditation.

The role would suit an experienced Montessori Elementary educator who is ready to take on broader responsibility for a multi classroom program and contribute to its long term development.

Key Responsibilities

Montessori Leadership & Program Development

  • Serve as a member of the school's Leadership Team.
  • Represent the Elementary program at weekly leadership and administrative meetings.
  • Support the continued development of an authentic Montessori Elementary program.
  • Maintain a strong connection to the prepared environment and children's daily experience.
  • Collaborate with school leadership on whole school initiatives.
  • Communicate Elementary program priorities and needs to school leadership.
  • Foster a culture of collaboration, support and accountability.

Curriculum & Academic Leadership

  • Lead the review, documentation and implementation of the Elementary curriculum scope and sequence.
  • Support alignment across the Elementary program.
  • Facilitate annual reflection on program outcomes and support planning for the following academic year.
  • Collaborate with the Head of School on Elementary progress reports.
  • Support alignment between the Primary and Elementary programs.
  • Promote independence, purposeful work, concentration and responsibility throughout the Elementary environment.

Staff Leadership & Professional Development

  • Schedule, chair and facilitate Elementary Lead Teacher meetings.
  • Support planning, communication and decision making across the Elementary team.
  • Organize and oversee peer observation and feedback.
  • Mentor and support Elementary educators in their professional development.
  • Coordinate Montessori professional development opportunities.
  • Support the orientation of new Elementary staff.
  • Create and maintain staff schedules, including support staff and specialist coverage.

Program Operations

  • Create and oversee the Elementary master schedule.
  • Coordinate classroom schedules, specialist services and parent education programming.
  • Support effective use of staffing and resources.
  • Provide classroom coverage when substitute support is unavailable.
  • Identify operational needs and work collaboratively with school leadership to address them.

Family Engagement & Enrollment

  • Develop strong relationships between the Elementary program and families.
  • Schedule and oversee new student visits.
  • Support communication with prospective and new families.
  • Coordinate parent classroom observations.
  • Prepare parents to understand and engage appropriately with the Montessori Elementary environment.
  • Support parent education relating to children's Montessori work and how it can be supported at home.
  • Plan and supervise Elementary community events, field trips, performances and overnight experiences.
  • Support enrollment and outreach initiatives.

Accreditation & Compliance

  • Coordinate documentation and administrative requirements relating to Montessori accreditation.
  • Support the school's ongoing accreditation process.
  • Ensure the Elementary program meets applicable state licensing requirements.
  • Maintain accurate program documentation and records.

Qualifications & Experience

The successful candidate will have:

  • Full Montessori Elementary training covering ages 6–12 through AMI, AMS or a MACTE accredited program.
  • A deep understanding of and commitment to authentic Montessori pedagogy.
  • Strong knowledge of the Montessori Elementary scope and sequence.
  • At least five years of lead teaching experience in a Montessori Elementary classroom.
  • A Bachelor's degree.
  • Experience mentoring, supporting or collaborating with Montessori educators.
  • Experience with parent education and family engagement.
  • Strong organizational and communication skills.
  • Demonstrated leadership ability and sound professional judgment.
  • Personal and professional integrity.
  • A compassionate, student centered approach.
  • A commitment to the success of the whole school community.

Experience with school leadership, curriculum development, accreditation, staff development or program administration will be highly valued.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will combine strong Montessori knowledge with mature, collaborative leadership.

They will be comfortable supporting and mentoring other educators while also being willing to establish clear systems, make decisions and take responsibility for the overall functioning of the Elementary program.

The successful candidate should be able to remain grounded in the classroom and in the developmental needs of Elementary children while also thinking strategically about the wider program.

Above all, they should understand that effective Montessori leadership is about creating the conditions in which children and adults can do their best work.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary: $75,000–$90,000 annually

The benefits package includes:

  • Health insurance
  • Retirement plan with employer matching
  • Tuition remission
  • Professional development support
  • Vacation and sick leave
  • Montessori professional membership support
  • Life insurance
  • Assigned parking
  • Staff appreciation initiatives
  • Reimbursement for applicable state licensing requirements
  • Relocation assistance may be available for the right candidate

Location & Relocation

The school is located in Nashville, Tennessee.

Candidates from outside Tennessee are encouraged to apply. Relocation assistance may be available for an exceptional candidate.

The school is particularly interested in finding a long term member of its community who is committed to establishing themselves in the Nashville area.

Start Date

January 4, 2027

There may be some flexibility regarding the precise start date for the right candidate.

Apply for this position

Applications are managed confidentially by Montessori Search Partners. Educators who progress will receive further information about the school during the recruitment process.