Lower Elementary Associate Lead

The Montessori Academy of Colorado is a metropolitan school that engages each child through innovative academics, exploration of character, and a fearless, forward mindset.

Job Title: Lower Elementary Associate Lead

Department: Lower Elementary    

Reports To: Upper School Director

Classification: Full-Time, Exempt    

Salary Range: $45,000–$55,000 per year

Job Summary

The Lower Elementary Associate Lead Teacher is a warm, enthusiastic, creative, and collaborative educator who shares classroom leadership and instructional responsibility with a partner Lead Teacher. Together, the two Lead Teachers co-own the Lower Elementary program, providing students with a consistent, high-quality, and joyful Montessori experience.

This role is ideal for an experienced educator who thrives in a collaborative teaching model, contributes meaningfully to curriculum and classroom culture, and is committed to the Montessori philosophy. The Associate Lead Teacher holds equal responsibility for the day-to-day life of the classroom and works in close partnership with their co-teacher to ensure continuity, cohesion, and excellence across all areas of the program. This position reports directly to the Upper School Director and begins for the 2026-27 school year on August 10th, 2026.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Share responsibility with the Lead Teacher for guiding the daily work cycle and delivering lessons aligned with the Montessori philosophy


• Provide individualized and small-group lessons tailored to student needs


• Collaborate with the co-teacher to design and maintain a cohesive curriculum that fosters partnerships and enriches student learning


• Support students in developing independence, focus, and a love of learning


• Observe and record each student’s academic, social, and emotional growth; share documentation with the co-teacher regularly


• Align instruction with Montessori philosophy and Common Core State Standards, using supplemental curriculum as needed


• Participate in parent conferences four times per year in partnership with the Lead Teacher


• Prepare and maintain Montessori materials and hands-on learning experiences


• Collaborate on the planning and facilitation of field trips, community outings, and the overnight end-of-year class trip


• Co-facilitate parent education events and programs


• Collaborate with the broader Upper School team to support a cohesive program


• Partner with the Lead Teacher to create a peaceful, respectful classroom through consistent modeling of conflict resolution and Grace and Courtesy lessons


• Build strong, supportive relationships with students and families


• Communicate regularly with families about student progress and classroom life, coordinating messaging with the co-teacher for consistency


• Collaborate with faculty to plan Family Nights, performances, and special events


• Maintain professional and collaborative relationships with all colleagues, following MAC’s Characteristics of Professional Excellence

Professional Responsibilities

• Actively participate in professional development, parent workshops, committees, and staff meetings


• Maintain a clean, organized, and inspiring prepared environment in alignment with Montessori pedagogy


• Support admissions efforts by meeting with prospective families as requested by the Head of School


• Engage in regular co-planning and reflection meetings with the Lead Teacher to ensure alignment and shared ownership of the classroom


• Complete other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• AMI or AMS Elementary Montessori Certification (Lower Elementary preferred)


• Bachelor’s degree in Education preferred


• Minimum of 2–3 years of teaching experience in a Montessori environment


• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively in a co-teaching or shared leadership model


• Familiarity with the Science of Reading and Orton-Gillingham methods


• Strong relationship-building skills with students, parents, and colleagues


• Excellent verbal and written communication skills


• Flexibility, humility, and a genuine commitment to shared decision-making

Benefits

At MAC, we invest in the people who make our mission possible by offering a comprehensive and competitive benefits package. This includes the potential for paid Montessori training, paid holidays and seasonal breaks, flexible paid time off for personal or sick time needs, and paid professional development. MAC also provides health, dental, and vision insurance options, a 403(b) retirement plan with employer match, HSA plan, employer-paid life insurance, and additional voluntary life insurance, critical illness, and disability plans. Employees also receive an RTD EcoPass.

MAC is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive environment, free of discrimination or harassment. MAC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy status, veteran status, disability, or any other non-merit factor.