Montessori AMI Lead Guide (Primary)

Montessori AMI Lead Guide (Primary) 871 NE Estes Avenue, White Salmon, WA 98672 From $50,000 a year - Full-time From $50,000 a year - Full-time Children's House Lead Guide (Ages 3-6) 2026-27 School Year Little Oak Montessori School is seeking a warm, dedicated, and AMI-trained Children's House Guide to lead a well-established classroom serving children ages 3-6. For over 21 years, Little Oak has cultivated an authentic Montessori community serving students from Pre-K through 6th grade. Our Children's House program serves approximately 60 children across three classrooms, offering a cohesive, collaborative environment grounded in AMI principles and practice. This full-time position is an opportunity to join a thoughtful and mission-driven staff in the heart of the Columbia Gorge. The ideal candidate is a careful observer and steady guide, someone who prepares the environment with intention, follows the child with respect, and supports the development of independence, concentration, and self-discipline. We are seeking a Guide who honors the integrity of the three-year cycle and is committed to fostering normalization through purposeful work within an orderly community. Responsibilities Prepare and maintain a complete, beautiful, and orderly Children's House environment in alignment with AMI standards Observe each child closely to inform lessons, support development, and protect concentration Give precise and intentional presentations across all areas of the classroom Support the development of independence, coordination, concentration, and order Guide the social development of the classroom, fostering grace, courtesy, and peaceful conflict resolution Steward the three-year cycle, supporting both individual growth and the cohesion of the community Maintain clear, consistent, and respectful communication with families Collaborate with assistants, colleagues, and administration to support the classroom and broader school community Participate in staff meetings, school events, and ongoing professional development Qualifications AMI Primary (3-6) Certification required Bachelor's Degree required (Master's Degree and/or teaching certification preferred) Experience working in an AMI-aligned Children's House environment Strong grounding in Montessori philosophy and child development Ability to work collaboratively within a team while holding clear responsibility for the classroom Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal Strong organizational skills and attention to detail A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion Willingness to engage in ongoing self-reflection and professional growth Ability to commit to the position for a minimum of three years Compensation This is a full-time salaried position. Compensation is competitive and based on experience and training. Benefits Professional development stipend 401(k) plan Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan (MERP) Paid holidays and snow days Annual paid time off (PTO) About Little Oak Montessori Little Oak Montessori is located in White Salmon, Washington, just across the river from Hood River, Oregon and one hour from Portland. The Columbia Gorge offers a unique blend of vibrant community life and access to world-class outdoor recreation—from hiking and skiing to windsurfing and cycling—alongside abundant local farms and stunning Pacific Northwest landscapes. To learn more about our school, please visit: www.littleoakmontessori.com

Pay:

From $50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Employee discount Paid time off Professional development assistance Application Question(s): Describe your approach to classroom management in a Montessori Children's House. How do you respond when a child is consistently disruptive, unsafe, or interfering with the work of others? Tell us about a time you led a Children's House classroom through a challenging period (behavioral, social, staffing, or community-related). What steps did you take, and what was the outcome? What does a normalized Montessori classroom look and sound like to you, and what role does the Guide play in achieving it? This position requires close collaboration with assistants, families, and administration while maintaining clear responsibility for the classroom. How do you navigate situations where expectations, communication styles, or perspectives differ?

Work Location:

In person