Montessori-Inspired Homeschool Enrichment Teacher | Future Lead Teacher Wild Peaks CollectiveNorth Park, San Diego, CAPart-Time → Full-Time Lead TeacherTuesday-Friday$23-$28/hour, depending on experience and qualifications About Wild Peaks Collective Wild Peaks Collective is a small, thoughtfully designed homeschool enrichment program in North Park where children learn through curiosity, connection, and hands-on experiences. Our approach brings together Montessori philosophy, nature-based education, project-based learning, movement, creativity, and California academic standards. We create space for children to follow their interests, work at an appropriate pace, and develop both academic skills and confidence as independent learners. We believe learning is most meaningful when children are actively involved. Our days include conversation, exploration, real-world experiences, hands-on materials, outdoor learning, creative projects, and thoughtfully guided academic work—not hours spent passively sitting at a desk. We are looking for a warm, creative, and confident educator who genuinely enjoys children and wants to become a meaningful, long-term part of our growing community. The Opportunity This position begins part-time at approximately 20-25 hours per week and is designed to grow into a full-time (30-35) Lead Teacher position later this fall as we prepare for a leadership transition within our program. You will have the opportunity to learn Wild Peaks from the inside out: getting to know our students and families, becoming familiar with our classroom rhythms and curriculum, working with Montessori materials, and experiencing our educational philosophy alongside our current team. You will be supported through mentorship, collaboration, and hands-on preparation as you gradually take on more responsibility. Our goal is for the right educator to step into the Lead Teacher role with confidence, context, and a strong connection to the children and community they will serve. This is an opportunity for someone who wants more than a temporary teaching job. We are looking for an educator who is excited to grow with Wild Peaks, bring their own ideas, take ownership of a classroom, and help shape the future of a small and evolving program. What You'll Do As a Wild Peaks Teacher, you will help create a warm, engaging, mixed-age learning environment where children feel known, capable, and excited to participate.

Responsibilities include:

Leading small-group and individual lessons Supporting students during Montessori-inspired independent work cycles Teaching and reinforcing Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies concepts Planning engaging, hands-on lessons, projects, and learning experiences Supporting Kindergarten and Lower Elementary students with curriculum-based work Facilitating circle time, Socratic-style discussions, read-alouds, art, movement, and outdoor learning Following children's interests and using their questions to deepen learning Observing students and adapting lessons to their individual abilities, needs, and interests Encouraging independence, problem-solving, curiosity, creativity, and confidence Providing warm, respectful, and consistent classroom guidance Helping maintain an organized, beautiful, and intentional classroom environment Collaborating with fellow teachers and program leadership Communicating thoughtfully about student progress and classroom needs Participating in off-site learning experiences and Exploration Fridays Maintaining appropriate classroom safety, sanitation, and supervision procedures Gradually taking on increased responsibility for classroom leadership, planning, organization, and family communication as you prepare for the Lead Teacher role Mentorship and Creative Freedom We believe great teachers need both support and room to grow. During the onboarding period, you will work closely with our existing team and receive mentorship as you become familiar with our students, routines, curriculum, and materials. You will have opportunities to observe, ask questions, collaborate on lessons, and build confidence before stepping fully into classroom leadership. At the same time, we value your perspective. You will have meaningful creative freedom to design lessons, introduce projects, follow student curiosity, and bring your own strengths into the classroom. We are not looking for someone to simply follow a script. We are looking for an educator who can thoughtfully use our framework while adding their own creativity, energy, and ideas. Because our classes are small, you will be able to build genuine relationships with students, notice their individual growth, and provide the kind of personal attention that can be difficult in a traditional classroom. Our Ideal Teacher You may be a great fit if you: Genuinely love working with children Are warm, nurturing, and emotionally attuned Are confident establishing clear boundaries and expectations Enjoy building meaningful relationships with students Have strong communication and classroom management skills Can confidently support a mixed-age group with different academic levels Enjoy hands-on, creative, and experiential learning Understand that meaningful learning does not always happen through worksheets or sitting at a desk Value independence and child-led exploration while recognizing when direct instruction is helpful Are dependable, organized, proactive, and flexible Welcome mentorship and enjoy learning alongside others Work well collaboratively and contribute positively to a team Have natural leadership skills or are excited to develop them Are comfortable gradually taking ownership of a classroom Are eager to contribute ideas and help a growing educational program evolve Qualifications Strongly Preferred Previous preschool, elementary, homeschool, microschool, Montessori, enrichment, or other early childhood teaching experience Experience independently managing a classroom or group of children Strong classroom management and communication skills Experience planning and implementing lessons or educational activities Familiarity with child development and developmentally appropriate practices A genuine interest in Montessori-inspired and alternative education A Big Plus Montessori experience or Montessori credential/training through AMI, AMS, a MACTE-accredited program, or similar 12+ ECE/Child Development units completed or currently in progress Degree or coursework in Education, Child Development, Early Childhood Education, or a related field Kindergarten or early elementary teaching experience Experience with mixed-age classrooms Spanish-speaking or bilingual Experience with nature-based, project-based, Reggio, homeschool, microschool, or other alternative education environments A traditional teaching credential is not required for the right candidate. We value real-world classroom experience, a strong connection with children, initiative, creativity, leadership potential, and alignment with our educational philosophy. Additional Requirements Current CPR/First Aid certification or willingness to obtain certification Reliable and punctual Friendly, professional, and team-oriented Comfortable supervising children indoors and outdoors Knowledge of appropriate classroom safety and sanitation procedures Ability to actively participate in a hands-on learning environment Schedule & Growth This position will initially be approximately 20-25 hours per week, giving you time to learn our classroom, students, curriculum, and program alongside our existing team. The position is expected to transition into a full-time Lead Teacher role later this fall, with increased responsibility for: Classroom leadership Lesson and project planning Curriculum implementation Student observation and progress Classroom organization Family communication Daily program coordination For the right person, this is a chance to join a growing alternative education program at an important moment and help shape what comes next. Compensation & Benefits $23-$29/hour, depending on experience, education, Montessori training, bilingual ability, classroom leadership experience, and overall qualifications.

Benefits include:

Paid holidays Paid time off Small-group learning environment Mentorship and collaborative onboarding Opportunity for advancement into a full-time Lead Teacher position Creative freedom within an established educational philosophy Opportunity to help shape and grow an evolving program Why Wild Peaks? Wild Peaks is not a traditional classroom where you are handed a script and expected to follow it page by page. Here, you will work closely with a small group of children, build meaningful relationships, and have the time and space to notice how each child learns best. You will be encouraged to follow curiosity, bring lessons to life through hands-on experiences, spend time outdoors, and create learning experiences that feel relevant and memorable. You will also have the support of a collaborative team and the opportunity to grow into leadership with mentorship rather than being expected to know everything on day one. We take academic growth seriously while recognizing that children learn best when they feel connected, engaged, and trusted. Through Montessori materials, curriculum, California academic standards, creative projects, movement, and real-world experiences, we are creating a place where children can be children while becoming capable, curious, and confident learners. If you are looking for a small, relationship-centered classroom where your ideas matter and your growth is supported, we would love to meet you. To Apply Please submit your resume along with a brief introduction sharing: Your experience working with children Why Wild Peaks interests you Your educational or teaching philosophy Any Montessori, ECE, elementary, alternative education, or Spanish-language experience An example of a lesson, project, or learning experience you enjoyed creating Why you are interested in growing into a Lead Teacher position

Pay:

$23.00 - $28.00 per hour Expected hours: 20.0 - 30.0 per week

Benefits:

Paid time off

Work Location:

In person