Primary Lead Montessori Teacher
Columbia Crest Montessori
Location: Lake Stevens or Kenmore, WA
About Us
At Columbia Crest Montessori, we provide exceptional, child-centered Montessori education for children from birth to 6 years. We are dedicated to creating a nurturing, beautifully prepared environment that empowers children to explore, discover, and build lifelong independence. Grounded in true Montessori philosophy, we emphasize respect for the individual child, positive character development, and a joyful community space where both our students and our educators can thrive.
Position Overview
We are seeking a passionate, dedicated, and fully certified Primary Lead Montessori Teacher to join our team for a seamless transition into the 2026–2027 school year.
To set our educators up for absolute success, this position features a structured, two-phase onboarding pipeline:
- Phase 1 (Summer Session | July – August 2026): A focused, summer schedule designed as a paid integration period. This allows you to bond with a smaller summer cohort, customize and prepare your Montessori environment, and acclimate to our school culture without the immediate demands of a full academic load.
- Phase 2 (Academic Year | Launching September 2026): A full-time, primary classroom leadership role for the full 2026–2027 academic school year calendar and beyond.
Schedule and Hours
Academic School Year: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Calendar: Follows a structured yearly academic schedule, including paid closures for major holidays and observed school breaks.
Key Responsibilities
Classroom Leadership: Oversee the daily operations and holistic management of a Primary classroom (up to 20 preschool/kindergarten students), ensuring a calm, safe, and orderly environment.
Behavioral Guidance: Establish clear, consistent, and positive expectations using gentle redirection and child-centered methodologies that foster self-regulation, empathy, and a lifelong love of learning.
Environment Preparation: Maintain the integrity of the Montessori "prepared environment." This includes precise organization of materials, light cleaning, rotation of academic works, and utilizing summer hours to ensure the room is inviting and accessible for the new school year.
Engagement: Actively engage with children in a kind, respectful, and dignified manner, observing individual development and guiding them toward meaningful, hands-on tasks.
Candidate Requirements
Montessori Certification: Must hold a current, formal Montessori teaching credential (Primary/Early Childhood level) from a MACTE-accredited institution (such as AMS, AMI, or equivalent).
Age/Education: Must be 18 years of age or older with a minimum of a High School Diploma or GED.
Background Clearance: Must successfully pass and maintain a Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) Portable Background Check.
Physical Stamina: Able to physically keep pace with young children, which includes standing, kneeling, sitting on the floor, and occasionally lifting up to 30 lbs.
Health & Safety Compliance: Hold current (or be willing to obtain immediately upon hire with school assistance) CPR/First Aid, Food Handler’s Permit, etc.
Core Competencies: Exceptional patience, a collaborative mindset, strong emotional regulation, and a deep dedication to authentic Montessori practices.
Compensation and Professional Benefits
Wage: $25.00 – $30.00 per hour, commensurate with experience and education.
Paid Time-off
401 (k) retirement plan
Career Growth: Opportunities to participate in regional Montessori networks, continuing education workshops, and program leadership.
Application Process
Columbia Crest Montessori is an Equal Opportunity Employer dedicated to creating a workplace culture where educators feel respected, supported, and valued.
To apply, please submit your resume and a brief cover letter to our hiring team at careers@columbiacrestmontessori.com with the subject line
"Primary Lead Teacher Application – [Your Name]"
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