Upper Elementary Montessori Guide

Creative Learning Montessori School is hiring for the 2025–26 School YearUpper Elementary Montessori Guide Opportunity

ROLE: Upper Elementary Montessori Guide (Ages 9-12, Grades 4-6)LOCATION: Barrington, ILSTART DATE: Flexible start; school year begins August 25, 2025SALARY: $45,000-$55,000/yr BOE

Creative Learning Montessori School seeks a thoughtful, confident, and compassionate Upper Elementary Guide to join our vibrant, child-centered learning community for the 2025–2026 academic year. This role offers a unique opportunity to lead a program deeply rooted in authentic Montessori principles, while bringing new energy and ideas to a growing, highly relational school.

At Creative Learning Montessori, education is not just a practice—it’s a way of being. For over 40 years, we have cultivated a joyful, community-based environment that feels like a second family to our students and staff. Our elementary program, which organically grew from our preschool roots, prioritizes relationships, belonging, and whole-child development. We are proud of our casual, welcoming culture—where children are known, trusted, and supported to grow into confident, curious, and socially adept individuals.

As our Upper Elementary Guide, you will play a vital role in shaping the learning experience for children ages 9–12. This includes leading a well-established multi-age classroom, collaborating across levels, and contributing to a tight-knit community where students frequently support younger peers, lead service activities, and participate in class community meetings to develop social awareness and communication skills. You will have the flexibility to structure your planning and prep time in a way that works best for you, while maintaining responsibility for creating a dynamic, responsive environment rooted in joy, inquiry, and independence.

Who You Are

You are an experienced, reflective Montessori educator—or someone deeply committed to learning the Montessori approach—who believes that every child is capable of growth and excellence. You are as comfortable designing lesson plans as you are diving into spontaneous projects or field trips. You are flexible, direct in communication, and thrive in a school where relationships come first. Most of all, you know how to preserve the spark of curiosity in older children and create space for wonder, choice, and meaningful engagement.

What You'll Do

Curriculum & Instruction

• Deliver engaging, interdisciplinary lessons aligned with Montessori principles and Common Core benchmarks

• Track progress and skill-building using a system that fits your style (currently done by hand; open to digital tools)

• Respond to student interests using tools like the “Wall of Wonder” to foster inquiry and independent research

• Support the academic, social-emotional, and developmental growth of each child in your care

Environment & Community

• Prepare and maintain a purposeful, organized classroom space that promotes independence, collaboration, and joy

• Model respect, conflict resolution, and a growth mindset in all interactions

• Encourage student autonomy while guiding them with clear expectations and compassionate boundaries

• Support school-wide culture through service learning, cross-age interactions, and a spirit of community connection

Communication & Leadership

• Build and sustain strong relationships with families through newsletters, phone calls, conferences, and daily photos

• Serve as a key partner in shaping the future of the elementary program, especially as we expand our physical space

• Collaborate with your colleagues during daily planning windows and at school-wide events like Fall Fest and Spring Sing

• Attend professional learning experiences and bring curiosity and vision to the school community

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in education or related field

• Confidence and experience working with children in upper elementary (grades 4–6 or ages 9–12)

• Strong communication skills and organizational habits

• Growth mindset and ability to work collaboratively

Preferred

• Montessori credential (AMI, AMS, or MACTE-accredited) OR willingness to complete training with our support

• Comfort with technology and/or assessment tools

• Experience in independent or Montessori education

• Background working with diverse learners and a commitment to inclusion

What We Offer

• Health insurance contribution

• Paid continuing education (15 hours/year)

• Opportunities for program leadership and input on experience and design

• A joyful, flexible work culture rooted in purpose, relationships, and growth

• Two weeks of paid classroom setup time before school and one week after

To Apply

If this sounds like a school where you’d thrive, we’d love to hear from you! Send your resume or a letter of interest to to start the conversation.

Creative Learning Montessori School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex or gender, disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other identity marker unrelated to the capacity to fulfill the responsibilities of the role.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $45,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Professional development assistance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to Commute:

• Barrington, IL 60010 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Barrington, IL 60010: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $45,000 - $55,000