Primary Guide

Job Opportunity: Primary Guide

Location: Washington, DC 

Department: Academics 

Application Deadline: Until filled 

Employment Type: Full-time

Expected Start Date of Position: August 2026

Reports to: Principal 

Compensation: Salary starts at $59,995 - $100,222 and will be commensurate with degree and years of experience 

FLSA Status: Exempt 

About Breakthrough Montessori Public Charter School

Breakthrough Montessori Public Charter School’s mission is to provide diverse families in Washington, DC, a public Montessori education designed to enable children to develop within themselves the power to shape their lives and the world around them.  

Founded in 2016, Breakthrough Montessori is a public charter school in Washington, DC. We serve 388 students in PK3 through grade 6. At Breakthrough Montessori PCS, we believe in the unbounded potential of all children. Students of all races, classes, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and backgrounds deserve a personalized education. 

Our school is grounded in an institutional commitment to development, prevention, and community. We support human development through an uncompromising application of the time-tested Montessori instructional model. We support prevention through early learning, support and intervention, enabling us to quickly and effectively address learning challenges. Finally, we support the community through an intensive approach to family engagement. 

Breakthrough Montessori PCS is committed to equity in all areas of our school’s work. We are a supportive environment that seeks to employ a diverse staff reflective of all genders, races, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, and backgrounds. 

Breakthrough Montessori PCS is a coaching school; all team members receive and give coaching to support professional growth.

Position Summary:

Under the direction of the Principal and the Assistant Principal, the Primary Guide plans and provides appropriate learning experiences for students. They prepare a structured, student-centered, high-fidelity Montessori learning environment conducive to all children's intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development.  As a public school, our diverse population of students must have equitable access to instruction, social-emotional support, and opportunities for self-development.  The Primary Guide plays a central role in creating a prepared environment in which this is possible.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

The Primary Guide is a 10-month position. Typical working hours are Mondays from 8:00am-4:30 pm and Tuesday-Friday 8:00am-4:00pm.  Responsibilities include the following:

• Plan, implement and coordinate the Montessori classroom 
• Maintain a prepared learning environment according to the developmental and curricular specifications outlined in the Montessori Scope & Sequence
• Follow required procedures and practices and monitor appropriate use and care of equipment, materials and facilities
• Attend weekly coaching meetings, level meetings, and PD sessions
• Train classroom team to help maintain consistent standards, freedoms, and limits for children through use of the Montessori method
• Set limits and boundaries and maintain appropriately high standards for child behavior in the Montessori context 
  • self-discipline
  • independence
  • responsibility 
  • grace and courtesy
  • respect for others 
  • care of the environment
  • care of self
  • community building 
• Observe student activity and base weekly lesson planning on observed needs and interests
• Work within the Montessori pedagogical scheme to develop weekly instructional plans to meet the needs of all students
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records for all students using Transparent Classroom
• Monitor and evaluate student development and outcomes
• Prepare and present progress reports on all students
• In collaboration with the Principal and Assitant Principal, prepare, administer and reflect on formative and summative assessments
• Communicate effectively with students to ensure instruction and holistic development
• Communicate effectively with colleagues and the school leadership team
• Communicate effectively with parents/families to help them understand the details and implementation of the Montessori approach (including newsletters, phone calls, etc. as directed by Assistant Principal)

• Lead the classroom team in working together to implement high-fidelity Montessori programming, through: conducting weekly classroom team meetings, collaborating with the classroom team to draft a plan to manage varied student needs including behavior challenges, and creating weekly and daily cleaning/ sanitizing schedule with classroom team to maintain the prepared environment.
• Must participate and contribute to IEP, eligibility meetings, Child Study Tier 1-3,  and 504 plans
• Provide a spirit of hospitality at school gatherings, occasional public events, and ongoing family engagement events
• Supervise Montessori and classroom assistants
• Attend and participate in school events outside of regular school hours, not limited to conferences, Lesson Share Day, etc. 
• Other duties as assigned

Required Competencies and Qualifications:

• Have a firm commitment to Montessori pedagogy and implementation, and upholding the school’s mission and anti-bias/anti-racist pedagogy.
• Commitment to upholding the confidentiality of students and parents
• Proven ability to work as a member of a diverse team of educators 
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build meaningful relationships.
• Excellent verbal and written skills.
• Excellent organization skills and attention to detail.
• Time management skills (such as punctuality, timeliness, the time management skills to complete lesson plans, reports, record-keeping, assessments, emails, newsletters, and data collection in a timely manner).
• Fulfill duties in accordance with the Primary Guide appraisal
• Openness to feedback, desire to continue development as a professional, and willingness to take responsibility for student outcomes and the classroom team. 
• Enthusiasm and commitment to our vision and mission
• Fluency in a language other than English is a plus
• Creative, energetic, and nurturing personality

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor‘s degree in an applicable field required
• AMI or AMS Montessori Primary diploma required
• Montessori classroom teaching experience, preferably in a public school setting
• Experience collaborating and working as a teacher
• Experience utilizing classroom modifications to develop the full potential of each child
• Experience with families from diverse backgrounds
• Additional experience/training in special education, music, art, and/or physical education is a plus

Benefits: 

We provide employees with a robust leave policy that includes:

• Paid personal time off
• Paid family leave (in addition to DC paid family leave)
• Paid bereavement leave
• Paid leave for the observation of a religious holiday 

Breakthrough invests heavily in the professional development (PD) of our faculty through:

• A weekly early release schedule with professional development and collaborative planning time from 1:30-4:30 pm every Monday;
• An individual professional development budget of $250/year to pursue additional PD opportunities;
• Conference participation and 
• A Continuing Education grant application program that provides grantees up to $20,000 to complete Montessori teacher training, an advanced degree or other license. 

Other benefits include:

• Health, dental, vision
• Retirement (Vanguard Retirement)
• AFLAC
• Educator wellness groups, facilitated by a clinical psychologist.

For information on Breakthrough Montessori PCS, including employee benefits and our company culture, visit our website at www.breakthroughmontessori.org. 

Breakthrough Montessori PCS is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.