Lead Teacher

Position Purpose

The Teacher is responsible for creating and sustaining an authentic Montessori learning environment that supports the academic, social, and emotional development of all students. The Lead Teacher leverages Montessori methods as the primary instructional approach, creating hands-on, inquiry-based learning experiences while ensuring all students make measurable progress toward grade-level standards over time. River Valley believes all students are capable of rigorous learning and meaningful growth, and teachers are responsible for ensuring students have access to challenging, high-quality instruction aligned to both Montessori principles and grade-level standards.

The lead teacher will:

• Maintain uninterrupted daily work cycles that allow for deep concentration and independent learning
• Deliver individualized and small-group lessons based on ongoing observation of student readiness
• Ensure consistent and purposeful use of Montessori materials as primary instructional tools
• Design and maintain a prepared environment that reflects order, beauty, accessibility, and student independence
• Foster student independence, intrinsic motivation, and responsibility for learning
• Explicitly teach and reinforce grace and courtesy and community expectations

The lead teacher will:

• Demonstrate working knowledge of Montessori scope and sequence and Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks
• Track student progress toward grade-level standards using school-defined benchmarks
• Ensure students make measurable academic progress across the multi-year cycle
• Use formal and informal assessment data to differentiate instruction,
  provide targeted academic and language supports , and ensure all students make meaningful progress toward grade-level standards.
• Identify students needing additional support, including English Learners, and collaborate with interventionists, special education staff, and English Learner staff to implement appropriate instructional supports, accommodations, and interventions (MTSS/SST, IEPs, 504s, and language development plans).
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of student progress and learning

The lead teacher will:

• Serve as the instructional leader of the classroom , including direction and coaching of assistant teachers
• Establish and maintain a calm, orderly, and productive learning environment
• Ensure effective classroom routines, transitions, and expectations
• Maintain appropriate inventory, care, and use of classroom materials
• Collaborate with specialists, English Learner staff, special education staff, and other support personnel to ensure equitable access to instruction and meet the diverse needs of all students.

The lead teacher will:

• Build strong, respectful relationships with families
• Communicate regularly and proactively about student progress and needs
• Lead conferences and contribute to written progress reports
• Support family understanding of the Montessori model and student development

The lead teacher will:

• Engage in ongoing professional learning aligned to Montessori practice and student outcomes
• Participate actively in coaching, observation, and feedback cycles
• Collaborate with colleagues to improve instructional practice and student outcomes
• Reflect on practice and implement feedback to improve effectiveness
• Uphold all school policies, procedures, and professional expectations
• Participate in school-wide initiatives, committees, events, and improvement efforts as assigned.

• Planning and delivering high-quality Montessori instruction aligned to student developmental needs and grade-level expectations
• Maintaining an authentic Montessori prepared environment, including effective implementation of the uninterrupted work cycle and purposeful use of Montessori materials
• Differentiate instruction and implement evidence-based sheltered instructional practices to ensure English Learners have meaningful access to grade-level curriculum and opportunities for language development.
• Observing students regularly…