Middle School Director

Washington Montessori School creates an inclusive and joyful environment, supported by a deeply rooted community of families and educators, where children embrace their individual and collective potential and prepare to live with integrity in a changing world.

Washington Montessori School (WMS) seeks a Middle School Director to start July 1, 2025. This full-time, 12-month position is an inspiring opportunity for leaders who are passionate about supporting and developing programs that help adolescents and adults to grow and collaborate. The Middle School Director will serve as a guide, mentor, leader, manager, and visionary for the program, which combines the best of Montessori adolescent practice with a challenging and proven approach to preparing students to thrive at some of the best high schools in the nation.

Founded in 1965, Washington Montessori School exists to educate children and to teach and nurture the skills necessary for success in a changing world through a foundation of Montessori philosophy and best educational practices. WMS also upholds the highest standards of independent school education as articulated in the Standards of the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools, Principles of Good Practice of the National Association of Independent Schools, and the American Montessori Society’s Philosophy and Practice and Code of Ethics.  Located in Litchfield County, CT, WMS is less than an hour from Great Barrington, MA, less than two hours from NYC, and an easy day trip to Boston.

Washington Montessori School hires skilled, passionate, dedicated educators who demonstrate our core values: kindness and respect for others;  a reverence for human potential;  and a flexible, independent, resilient growth mindset. 

Successful candidates will join a dynamic, supportive, and forward-thinking teaching community of nearly 60  adults serving 270 students from 18 months through 8th grade. This is a 12-month, full-time position with competitive salary and benefits. 

Responsibilities:

• Guide and collaborate with the Middle School academic, arts, and athletics faculty to uphold and enhance an inspiring,  challenging, and engaging  Montessori environment for approximately 70 students, grades 6-8.
• Provide an organized structure, clear communication, and expert administration for the students, teachers, and parents in the program. 
• Oversee the budget for all Middle School programs.
• Serve on the senior administrative team, a group of dedicated professionals responsible for guiding and strengthening the school as a whole. 
• Model and support excellent teaching to support teacher growth. 
• Lead students by example and with empathy, building a healthy and positive culture that can weather and grow through conflict. Build resilient relationships, uphold rules and standards, and resolve conflicts among students, between students and staff members, and between parents and staff using student-centered approaches.
• Serve as an expert resource and powerful communicator to students and families, providing insight into the developmental stage of adolescence and how our program supports students to thrive.
• Collaborate with the Director of Education, Director of Student Services, and Head of School to drive forward momentum for the program and continue to evolve to meet the needs of students and achieve the mission.
• Support and build enriching co-curricular programs in athletics, arts, and music.
• Collaborate with staff as they plan and chaperone field studies, off-campus experiences, and multi-day trips in service to experiential learning.
• Over time, and following Montessori adolescent training, guide the middle school to renew the program,  ensuring its relevance and excellence. 
• Build the enrollment and strength of the program. 
• Drive Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Belonging education and programming in service to Montessori best practice.
• Continue to grow over time, modeling a commitment to life-long learning.

Requirements: 

• Deep experience and demonstrated proficiency working with adolescents as a teacher and advisor. 
• Excellent administrative skills: organization, scheduling, attention to detail, the ability to prioritize, and timely completion of tasks to lead a program effectively. 
• Inspirational and authentic leadership skills to guide and collaborate with students, colleagues, and parents.
• A deep understanding of progressive pedagogy and the highest possible academic standards for middle- and high-school students. 
• Excellent references.
• A Master’s Degree in Education or a related field.
• Understanding and experience with student-centered approaches to conflict resolution (such as Positive Discipline). 
• Montessori training is preferred but not required, as the successful candidate will engage in Montessori Adolescent Training or Montessori Administrator Training within the first two years of accepting the position.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• The desire and ability to learn about Montessori education and to work collaboratively with parents and colleagues, in line with our mission.
• Demonstrated skill with best practices for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and willingness to learn about and enact Montessori Peace and Justice principles. 

Individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences are strongly encouraged to apply.

To Apply

Please submit a resume and a cover letter describing the alignment of your skills with the position described above to Head of School Launa Schweizer [email protected] and Melissa Hay, Director of Education, [email protected].