Founding School Director

Meadowlark Montessori | West Lincoln, Nebraska | Full-time
· On-site
Proposed annual salary: $75,000–$90,000 (subject to founder approval)

Meadowlark Montessori is a new Montessori school in development in west Lincoln, Nebraska. Rooted in the educational philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori, our mission is to create an authentic Montessori community where children develop independence, curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning. Our initial programs will serve infants, toddlers, and Primary children ages 3–6, with a long-term vision to expand into elementary education.

We are seeking an exceptional Founding School Director to help bring this vision to life.

This is an opportunity to help build a Montessori school from the ground up. The Founding School Director will serve as Meadowlark’s educational and operational leader, responsible for establishing an exceptional Montessori program, developing a strong teaching team, building relationships with families, and overseeing daily school operations. Working in partnership with the Founder, the Director will have meaningful autonomy and ownership over educational programs, people, culture, and operational success.

The Founder will provide strategic direction, business oversight, and financial support, while the Director leads day-to-day execution.

• Establish and maintain authentic Montessori practices across Infant, Toddler, and Primary programs.
• Guide thoughtfully prepared classroom environments and educational materials.
• Ensure high-quality Montessori instruction, observation, and individualized child development.
• Coach, mentor, and develop Montessori guides and classroom assistants.
• Maintain Montessori fidelity while meeting licensing and regulatory requirements.

• Partner with the Founder to establish the school’s educational and operational foundations.
• Contribute to facility and classroom planning, materials selection, staffing models, and operational readiness.
• Lead development of school policies, procedures, schedules, and educational standards.
• Coordinate licensing preparation and support regulatory compliance.
• Establish enrollment, orientation, and parent communication processes.
• Build the founding educational team and prepare the school for opening.

• Oversee daily operations, staffing, scheduling, classroom coverage, and program quality.
• Recruit, hire, onboard, supervise, and evaluate faculty and staff.
• Build a positive, accountable, collaborative workplace culture.
• Establish efficient and consistent operational systems.
• Manage resources responsibly and collaborate with the Founder on budgets and priorities.
• Ensure compliance with applicable health, safety, childcare licensing, and employment requirements.
• Identify challenges, develop solutions, and continuously improve operations.

• Develop trusted relationships with children, families, and staff.
• Communicate Montessori philosophy and child development principles clearly.
• Establish family orientation, education, and engagement opportunities.
• Address parent concerns with professionalism, empathy, and sound judgment.
• Represent Meadowlark Montessori in the Lincoln community.

• Significant professional experience in a Montessori educational environment.
• Demonstrated leadership supervising, coaching, and developing educators or school staff.
• Strong knowledge of Montessori philosophy, child development, and classroom practices.
• Experience managing educational programs, school operations, or comparable responsibilities.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving…