Montessori Teacher Leader - Lower Elementary (1st - 3rd grade)

Northern Nevada Wildflower Montessori School, a charter school in the Reno/Sparks area, will open in August 2027. We will initially serve students from Pre-K3 through 3rd grade, then expand to 6th grade, offering a high-quality education that combines strong academic outcomes with the principles of authentic Montessori. We seek a collaborative Teacher Leader to work alongside fellow Teacher Leaders in a non-hierarchical, teacher-led model, ensuring compliance and contributing to shared decision-making. This position has a flexible start date and will begin as a part-time role during the school's 2026-2027 planning year. The part-time schedule is highly flexible and is designed to accommodate candidates who may remain in a full-time classroom role during that year. The position will transition to a full-time teacher leader position for the 2027-2028 school year. Summary As a Founding Teacher Leader, you will co-create and lead a Montessori learning environment while helping to design and operationalize Northern Nevada Wildflower Montessori (NNWM). This role includes both teaching and shared responsibility for school operations, enrollment, and community building. Teacher Leaders collaborate closely with one another and with the Board of Directors in a distributed leadership model. This role is not hierarchical; Teacher Leaders are empowered to lead within their domains while engaging in shared decision-making. NNWM's Mission The mission of Northern Nevada Wildflower Montessori (NNWM) is to provide a high-quality, holistic, and authentic Montessori education that integrates rigorous academic standards and emotional intelligence. Honoring all backgrounds and cultures, students are empowered to reach their full potential and become compassionate leaders, innovators, and ethical citizens who contribute positively to the world as change makers.

Your Role:

Elementary Montessori Guide (grades 1st, 2nd & 3rd) Wildflower Teacher Leaders are visionary, equity-focused educators who co-found and operate autonomous Montessori microschools — staying deeply connected to students while building something meaningful in their community. Unlike traditional teaching positions, this role offers genuine ownership: you won't just work in a school, you'll help build one. In collaboration with the Primary (PreK & Kinder) Teacher Leader, the founding Teacher Leader of Cottonwood Montessori, the responsibilities of Teacher Leader include, but are not limited to: Montessori Teacher Delivering authentic Montessori instruction grounded in anti-bias, anti-racist practice Preparing and maintaining the Montessori learning environment Tracking student observations, records, and data, and maintaining records to support individualized learning pathways Fostering student independence, social-emotional growth, and identity Engage in ongoing professional development to grow as liberatory Montessori leaders, including participation in Montessori-specific, anti-bias/anti-racist, and leadership training Family Engagement & Support (shared responsibilities) Cultivating authentic, trust-based relationships with families through regular communication, including individual meetings, newsletters, progress updates, and family education events Marketing the school through genuine community engagement, social media, and a welcoming website presence Co-leading an inclusive, equitable admissions and enrollment process, including school tours, application review, and enrollment paperwork School Leadership (shared responsibilities) Dividing teaching and administrative roles with a co-Teacher Leader(s), with each responsible for making the decisions necessary to carry out their own roles Co-creating the school design with and for families and children Cultivating a committed community of students, families, and stakeholders rooted in partnership Leading with cultural humility and actively working to disrupt oppressive systems and practices School Operations (shared responsibilities) Collaboratively design the annual school calendar, daily routines, and classroom schedules to balance Montessori principles, state requirements, and community needs Manage day-to-day school operations, including financial management, human resources, licensing, compliance, and facilities Actively participate in governance and decision-making as a member of the school's Teacher-Leader community How We Work The Wildflower network is decentralized and nonhierarchical, rooted deeply in our values of Connectedness and Growth; our norms of Anti-Bias, Anti-Racist and Unity, Autonomy with Support, and Awareness and Compassion; and our that guide our schools' design. To learn more about the ideas that drive us, visit . . Minimum Qualifications Required Education/Certification AMI, AMS or other MACTE-accredited certification from an elementary Montessori training program and/or commitment to complete training during our School Startup Journey Valid Nevada Teaching License issued by the Nevada Department of Education; Must include an Elementary Education endorsement (typically K-6 or K-8); Valid out-of-state teaching license transferable Willingness to complete the Wildflower School Startup Journey by the first day of school Authorization to work in the United States Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a shared/distributive leadership, collaborative, and non-hierarchical environment Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to run systems that are both effective and efficient Preferred Qualifications Experience with a diverse student and parent population Spanish or other bilingual skills Training in culturally responsive or inclusive practices Special education certification and/or experience successfully administering individualized accommodations Montessori credential (AMI, AMS, or MACTE-accredited program) Montessori credential (AMI, AMS, or MACTE-accredited program) of the age group being taught (Lower Elementary) Experience teaching in multi-age elementary classrooms School administration experience Preferred Attitudes, Knowledge, and Skills Entrepreneurial leadership

• You are flexible, open-minded, see opportunity in obstacles, and are energized by using creativity and resourcefulness to anticipate challenges and create solutions to problems. Generosity of spirit
• You build authentic relationships in diverse settings, practice gratitude, and lead with love. You seek advice openly and are comfortable working in a distributed leadership model in collaboration with Teacher Leaders. Commitment to serving diverse and multifaceted communities
• You are eager to increase access to Montessori in racially and socioeconomically diverse communities and are deeply committed to supporting the development of intersectional communities.

You understand the role race, along with ethnicity, gender/gender identity, and sexual orientation, play in contributing to persistent inequity. You have engaged in culturally responsive and anti-racist practices with the students and families you serve. In addition to English, the ability to speak languages spoken by our community and stakeholders is preferred. Willingness to bring your full self to this work as an engaged contributor

• Have the energy, commitment, and passion to work collaboratively with other social entrepreneurs launching a distinct, intimate school community. You will be a key collaborator, helping to weave and strengthen the connections across the early childhood and elementary programs. A desire to learn and grow
• You are eager to stretch beyond your current experience, to develop new skills and expertise, and to more deeply explore your purpose and potential. Ability to work effectively with all internal and external stakeholders
• You enjoy and are competent working with a variety of stakeholders in Northern Nevada, including co-Teache Leader(s), families, Administrative Partner, staff, volunteers, board members, donors, and community partners. Curiosity toward the edge of innovative practices
• You have an interest in learning and practicing self-management, and are eager to join with staff and participate in a system of governance in which autonomy is valued, and power is distributed.

This work is ever-evolving, and you prioritize transparency, requesting and sharing advice with one another, a commitment to participation in conflict resolution practices, and clearly articulating roles and responsibilities to ensure that each staff member is able to lead within their role. Operational self-starter

• You are willing to roll up your sleeves and support all aspects of running a small school, which may range from conducting the enrollment lottery to watering the plants. Hours & Benefits This is a full-time position. Salary range is $40,000
• $85,000 and is commensurate with experience.

NNWM offers wellness benefits, including healthcare, professional development stipends, PERS, and PTO, as well as connection to the wider Wildflower community and support. Physical Requirements The role requires the ability to move around the classroom and outdoor areas, engage with students at their level (including sitting on the floor and getting up frequently), and lift materials up to 30 pounds. Learn More If you're inspired by this opportunity and want to co-lead a transformative Montessori charter school, we'd love to hear from you! Email us at Connect@nnwmontessori.org with your resume/CV and a brief statement on why you'd be a great fit for NNWM. Members of the Global Majority and native Spanish speakers are strongly encouraged to inquire. Northern Nevada Wildflower Montessori admits students of any race, color, national origin, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

Pay:

$40,000.00

• $85,000.

00 per year

Benefits:

Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Professional development assistance Retirement plan Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person