Montessori Primary Teacher (Ages 57)

Montessori Primary Teacher (Ages 5-7) Acton Academy Lake Oswego Lake Oswego, OR Job Details Full-time $45,000 - $55,000 a year 21 hours ago Benefits Paid time off Professional development assistance Qualifications Observation-based student assessment Teamwork Childhood development Teaching math Interactive learning teaching method Montessori Certification Mid-level Working with children Conflict management Literacy education Classroom Teaching Leadership Full Job Description Primary Guide (Ages 5-7) - Spark Studio A Montessori-based, learner-driven classroom for ages 5-7.

Acton Academy Lake Oswego Full Time:

$45,000-$55,000 +

Performance Bonus Start Date:

August 2026 About the Role Acton Academy Lake Oswego is a small, private Christian school opening our first Spark Studio for ages 5 to 7 in Fall 2026. We are seeking a full-time Montessori Primary Teacher (referred to as a "Guide" in our model) who loves young children, believes they are far more capable than most people assume, and wants to help build something meaningful from the ground up. Spark Studio blends the prepared environment and respect for the child found in Montessori with Acton's culture of ownership, accountability, and Socratic reasoning. Children move between meaningful work, outdoor exploration, collaborative games, creative projects, and fun challenges that stretch their thinking. Our goal is to help young learners grow into confident, capable heroes who are ready for the Discovery Studio (elementary). This role is different from a traditional classroom and may appeal to educators who value independence, curiosity, and student ownership. You will guide rather than instruct, ask questions rather than give answers, and support children as they learn to take responsibility for themselves and their work. You will help establish simple routines, maintain a beautiful and organized environment, and create a culture of kindness, curiosity, and ownership. We are hoping for an August 2026 start so we can use the month prior for onboarding, training, and building the studio together before learners arrive in early September. If you value independence, creativity, and meaningful work with young children, and feel energized by helping build a new school community, we would love to meet you. What You Will Do The environment Prepare and maintain a calm, beautiful, well-ordered studio rooted in Montessori principles Guiding learning Observe learners closely and respond with intentional presentations and questions Offer clear, thoughtful presentations and step back to allow for independent work Guide early literacy and math through Montessori materials while supporting learners in taking ownership of their progress Ask thoughtful questions that build reflection and responsibility Studio culture Model grace and courtesy, independence, respect, and healthy conflict resolution Lead daily Socratic launches and discussion circles that build critical thinking, moral reasoning, and studio culture Support moments of gratitude or prayer within our Christian school community Ownership and collaboration Facilitate collaborative work, games, and short challenges that build teamwork and problem solving Introduce simple systems (badges, visual trackers) that support ownership and make progress visible over time Communication and founding work Communicate clearly and respectfully with families Help shape studio systems, traditions, and culture during our founding year Participate in onboarding and ongoing professional development Protect extended, uninterrupted work cycles that allow for deep concentration Make space for hands-on projects and outdoor play throughout the day Who You Are You feel comfortable in a Christian school environment You appreciate Montessori principles but are also open to a more flexible, evolving, learner-driven environment. You genuinely love working with young children You believe children can do hard things You are calm, observant, and patient You prefer asking questions over giving directions You value independence, responsibility, and character development You are excited by play, creative expression, outdoor time, hands-on learning, and purposeful skill building You are energized by helping build something new Qualifications Montessori credential (AMS, AMI, or MACTE-accredited) strongly preferred; candidates currently in training are also encouraged to apply Comfort with Positive Discipline approach is a strong plus Experience working with children ages 5 to 7 Strong understanding of the prepared environment and child development principles Ability to guide early reading, writing, and math with hands-on, materials-based learning Organized, observant, and consistent with routines Excited about working in a hybrid Montessori / learner-driven model Must pass a background check Compensation Salary range: $45,000 to $55,000 , depending on experience Annual performance bonus based on studio outcomes and family partnership

Schedule:

Monday-Friday, standard school-day hours Paid time off aligned with the school calendar , including Christmas break and standard school-year holidays Training and professional development in the Acton model Founding-year leadership and growth potential About Acton Academy Lake Oswego Our mission is to help children discover their calling, develop independence and character, and build a deep love for learning. How to Get Started Instead of a traditional application, we ask all interested candidates to begin with a short screening questionnaire. It takes about 10 minutes and helps us understand how you think about young children and learning.

Start here:

https://form.jotform.com/Indi_Hampton/spark-guide-screening We'll review responses thoughtfully and reach out if it feels like a strong fit to move forward.

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$45,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Paid time off Professional development assistance

Work Location:

In person