Careers

UPPER ELEMENTARY CO-TEACHER

Amelia Island Montessori School is growing! After recently adding our second Lower Elementary classroom, we anticipate the need for a co-teacher to join our expanding Upper Elementary program in the fall!

Key Responsibilities:

• Understands the physical, intellectual, emotional and social needs of children for the program level to which the Employee is assigned;
• Designs and uses instructional strategies, innovations, and activities that are observation and research-based, meet student needs, and reflect Montessori best practice;
• Promotes active involvement of students in the learning process;
• Provides for a balance of uninterrupted, self-directed, self-teaching, and collaborative activities with the presentation of individual, small-, and large-group lessons;
• Implements and keeps clear, written records of individual, small-, and large-group lessons and activities, and uses Transparent Classroom to accurately reflect each student’s development;
• Observes the overall classroom environment during individual lessons and records observations;
• Supports students in assessing their work as developmentally appropriate;
• Uses various methods of communication to discuss student development with parents, including progress reports (3x/year) and Parent/Educator conferences;
• Works with students of various abilities assigned to the classroom, including those with learning differences, and implements accommodations and interventions to help students meet expectations for student learning, which may require participation in additional training;
• Recognizes and provides opportunities for students to participate in meaningful, age-appropriate leadership activities;
• Maintains an ongoing dialogue with enrichment teachers and coordinates curriculum integration and implementation, as applicable;
• Supervises and guides children left in his/her charge, within the classroom and on the playground until dismissed to a responsible adult;
• Maintains the safety and well-being of children, based on respect and consistent teachings of Montessori, by providing safe and prepared indoor and outdoor environments, which meet the unique needs of children at the program level;
• Timely and accurately completes and maintains all reports, evaluations, classroom inventories, and tests in a timely manner as may be required by the School;
• Engages in ongoing self-assessment, refinement of practice in the classroom and collaborative professional growth. 

Communication, Supervision & Safety:

• Sets an example for children by modeling honesty, respect, kindness and understanding;
• Promotes an understanding and appreciation of all cultures, and informs students about cultural, historical and current influences;
• Engages in clear, respectful, and effective communication with children, parents, colleagues and administrators, which supports an understanding of the school’s programs, develops positive relationships within the school community, and protects the privacy and confidentiality of each student and family;
• Models and teaches conflict resolution and problem-solving strategies;
• Timely and accurately completes all forms and paperwork, as assigned by the School, including response communication via email;
• Is responsible for the safety of the children within the classrooms, and on the school premises, until dismissed to a responsible adult. Every staff member is responsible for the appropriate treatment and well-being of all children, based on respect. No child should ever be left unsupervised either inside or outside the classroom;
• Is responsible for complete understanding and implementation of the School Crisis Management Plan and follows School-wide security protocols;
• Immediately corrects and/or reports any safety issues to the Finance & Operations Manager and/or the Head of School;
• Fully participates and collaborates with faculty and administrators in furtherance of the School's mission, including developing (as applicable) and participating in all School functions, such as Staff Meetings, Open Houses, Back-to-School Orientations, Parent Talks, and School Events (both fundraising and community-building);
• Supports and enforces the rules and regulations of the School as delineated in the Parent Handbook and other guidance, which may be updated from time to time;
• Fulfills all duties with the professional and ethical standards outlined in the Employee Manual, in School policies, and as required by law;
• Completes any additional duties as requested and/or as may be necessary to further the mission of the School and contribute to the best interests of the School and its students.

Experience and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree required
• Elementary II Montessori Credential (AMS/MACTE) required
• Successfully complete pre-employment background check, TB test, etc.
• Successfully complete CPR and First Aid course

We are seeking qualified, highly flexible educators to join our team as Substitute Teachers. Oftentimes, our subs will work with another adult when maintaining a quality educational environment in the absence of one of our team members.

Responsibilities include:

• Supervising and guiding children and supporting daily activities - often with other members of the team
• Setting an example for children by modeling honesty, respect, kindness and understanding
• Maintaining the safety and well-being of children in the classroom by providing a safe environment
• Fully participating in and collaborating with AIMS team members and Administration in furtherance of the School's mission
• Engaging in clear, respectful and effective communication with others
• Accepting all other duties assigned by the Head of School in furtherance of the mission of the School, and in support of the day-to-day operations required to deliver AIMS programs

Requirements:

• DCF childcare training (can be obtained within five months of hire)
• Successfully complete pre-employment background check, TB test, etc.
• Successfully complete CPR and First Aid course

Compensation:

• Hourly wage is competitive and based on experience, education and certification

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE OPPORTUNITY

The Head of School will have overall responsibility for the academic quality and institutional strength of AIMS as the community continues its tradition of providing a welcoming, open, and supportive atmosphere in which students are supported, challenged, and inspired. Through the School’s mission, fostering and articulating Montessori pedagogy and its application, the incoming Head will guide an instructional plan that addresses the various needs of the Montessori program. The opportunity includes educating and supporting families to enhance their understanding of Montessori and to help extend Montessori education into the family home.

Providing meaningful professional development and mentorship to teachers, assistants, substitutes and staff members is a key accountability. Regularly observing classrooms and providing feedback to all teaching staff is an essential component to inspiring the School community on a day-to-day basis. Recruiting, developing, and retaining an outstanding faculty and staff who are committed to professional development and lifelong learning is expected.

Working closely with all key constituents on the strategic direction of the School, raising funds for its support, and executing on the strategic plan will be one of the core opportunities for the new Head of School. Promoting diversity among students, faculty, and staff, will include establishing and fulfilling a strategic vision to build and sustain an inclusive school community for all. Demonstrating at all times that he or she is a visible and caring leader, committed to the mission of the School and the well-being of its constituents, is at the heart of this leadership opportunity.

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

The headship of Amelia Island Montessori School (AIMS) represents an extraordinary career opportunity for an entrepreneurial Montessori leader who demonstrates creativity, warmth, approachability, kindness, and optimism. AIMS is committed to finding the right leader and encourages applications from a diverse pool of candidates. The compensation package will be competitive.

Ideally, AIMS next leader will be:

• Accessible, approachable, and welcoming.
• A leader who is actively involved in the total life of the community and acts as a caring, mindful guardian for the student community.
• A role model who is connected and visible, one who thrives in the active life of the school community.
• A leader with a working knowledge of and experience in diversity, multiculturalism, equity, and justice in an independent school, committed to an inclusive School community.
• Balanced and possess discipline, vision, and practicality, as well as a sense of urgency to achieve the strategic initiatives for the School community.
• A leader whose clarity of thought and passion inspire involvement with the School.
• Ambitious and able to build a peaceful School culture rooted in Montessori principles, practice, and philosophy.

THE CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate will possess a minimum of five (5) combined years as a senior administrator and teacher in an independent school, with a background that demonstrates a capacity to lead organizations through transformation and continuous improvement. A Bachelor’s degree and Montessori credential is required, with a master’s degree preferred, and the Department of Children and Families (DCF) Director Credential will need to be completed during the first year. A successful track record attracting, empowering, and retaining highly-qualified, knowledgeable, and diverse educators who inspire a love of learning, self-confidence, and self-esteem is highly desirable.

Additional qualities include:

• Strong interpersonal and public speaking skills , including the ability to communicate concepts and ideas effectively to a wide range of constituents.
• Knowledgeable of current educational theory and practice in the context of early childhood and adolescent development
• Business and management acumen necessary to develop strategic plans, install and improve administrative infrastructures, prepare school budgets and work closely with a volunteer Board of Trustees.
• A person of unquestioned honesty and integrity with a pro-social orientation.
• A “master educator” who loves children and is dedicated to fulfilling the School’s mission to guide them in their intellectual and emotional growth.
• One who is straightforward, objective, decisive and consistent in the context of fair and compassionate application of policy and discipline.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Candidates should submit no later than Friday, February 20, 2026, with an application package including the following:

1. A cover letter indicating why they are particularly interested in and qualified for the position.
2. A current resumé.
3. A statement of educational philosophy.
4. The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three references. (We will obtain permission from candidates before contacting references.)

Send application package to:

AIMS Board of Trustees 

boardoftrustees@ameliaislandmontessori.com

Head of School Opportunity Statement