Job Opening for 2026-27
Lower Elementary Montessori Lead Teacher (ages 6-9) in Bellingham, WA, US
2026-2027 Academic Year
Contact: Carrie Bishop Cruz
Name of School: Cedar Tree Montessori
School Website: http://www.cedar-tree.org
Our Mission: Cedar Tree Montessori fosters a passion for learning and joy, supports communication skills, and encourages peace and diversity in a nurturing Montessori community.
Position Begins: August of 2026 or ability to shadow staff in June of 2026.
Rate of Pay: MACTE affiliated Montessori Certified Range -$48 -$58K, DOE
Hours/Schedule: 40 Hours Weekly, Monday – Friday
School Hours: 8:30am – 3:00pm
Full Schedule: 8:00am – 4:00pm
Benefits:
Monthly Medical Supplement: $200.00 or 75% contribution towards Regence Silver (or comparable) Medical Plan
Paid Time Off (PTO): 80 hours
Cedar Tree Montessori was established in Bellingham, WA in 1999 and is composed of a staff of 10 compassionate, lifelong learners. As a school community we are committed to fostering independence and curiosity. We value the development of the whole child; cognitive, physical, social, and emotional and cultivate growth in a supportive community. We believe it is our responsibility to create a culturally responsive curriculum and include conversations about bias in order to be a part of dismantling racism. Those who are passionate about Montessori education, want to cultivate curiosity and who have experience supporting the unique needs of all learning styles should apply. We believe that all people deserve dignity and respect and work from this understanding to support the needs of our school and planet. We do this by modeling self care, supporting
Required Qualifications:
3 years guiding Montessori education with ages 6-9, as a lead teacher
AMS/ MACTE Accredited Lower Elementary Montessori Certification
Identify as a lifelong learner.
Demonstrated use of Positive Discipline classroom strategies or a desire to learn.
The desire and ability to incorporate curiosity and compassion when communicating with families and students.
Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining a recordkeeping system to document lesson introduction, practice and mastery.
Legally authorized to work in the United States.
First Aid, CPR certification or recertification is required.
Elementary Lead Responsibilities:
Work in collaboration with the Children’s House and Upper Elementary teachers to ensure continuity.
Foster community by building rapport with students and families.
Attend staff meetings to build support and community among colleagues.
Create a predictable pattern of communication with families (monthly newsletters, availability to meet in person.
Provide parent education in classroom newsletters and meetings in order to help families better understand Montessori philosophy.
Create classroom transparency by sharing and celebrating pertinent topics with families through emails, parent conferences, meetings, and informal communication.
Providing small groups and one on one lessons with follow ups that support students at their own pace.
Use classroom oversight to observe and adapt the environment to meet the unique needs of students.
Allow the three year window of development to guide skill acquisition.
Create opportunities for autonomy and curiosity.
Shared value for creating a culturally responsive curriculum.
Support assistant teachers to create an organized and harmonious classroom.
Create and maintain individualized worklists for students that supports students during their open ended work time.
Support the social and emotional development of students through the use of problem solving
Prepare and cultivate a peaceful and engaging Montessori classroom.