Director of Elementary and Middle School
Andover School of Montessori (ASM) seeks an experienced, collaborative educational leader to serve as Director of Elementary and Middle School, providing leadership for the school’s Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, Middle School, and Integrated Arts programs.
The Opportunity
The Director is a member of ASM’s Leadership Team and provides educational and programmatic leadership for the Elementary, Middle School, and Integrated Arts divisions. Working closely with school leadership, the Director supports and develops faculty, strengthens curriculum and instruction, partners with students and families, and helps guide the effective day-to-day operation of these programs in alignment with the School’s mission.
The successful candidate will be an experienced educational leader who enjoys working closely with faculty, can navigate complex situations thoughtfully, builds trusting relationships with families, and brings clarity and follow-through to the daily work of leading school divisions.
Montessori experience is welcomed but is not required. ASM is particularly interested in experienced independent-school educators and leaders who are excited by Montessori’s commitment to student agency, independence, curiosity, and the development of the whole child. This position offers the opportunity to support talented educators, build strong partnerships with families, and play a meaningful role in shaping the future of an established independent Montessori school.
Key Leadership Responsibilities
The Director of Elementary and Middle School will:
- Lead the Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, Middle School and Integrated Arts programs.
- Supervise, coach, evaluate, and support faculty and their professional growth.
- Provide leadership for curriculum, instruction, assessment, and continuous program improvement.
- Promote coherence and collaboration across program levels.
- Partner with teachers and families to support students’ academic, social-emotional, and developmental needs.
- Serve as a key administrative resource for families and help navigate concerns constructively.
- Participate in faculty recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and retention.
- Oversee the effective day-to-day operation of the program levels, including scheduling, programming, resources and academic processes.
- Implement and oversee the elementary summer program.
- Collaborate with the Head of School and Leadership Team on school-wide priorities, strategic initiatives, enrollment, accreditation, and professional development.
- Help foster a joyful, respectful, inclusive school culture grounded in ASM’s mission and core values.
What We’re Looking For
- Master’s degree in education, educational leadership, or a related field.
- Experience in an independent-school leadership position.
- Montessori teaching, leadership, or training experience.
- Familiarity with Montessori philosophy and practice.
- Significant experience as an educator in an independent school or comparable educational setting.
- Successful experience leading a school division, department, academic program, grade-level team, or other significant educational function.
- Demonstrated experience supervising, coaching, and developing adults.
- Strong management, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to move effectively between strategic priorities and day-to-day needs.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the judgment to navigate complex conversations with faculty and families.
- A collaborative leadership style and demonstrated ability to build trust.
- Commitment to student-centered education and to ASM’s mission and community.
Candidates without Montessori experience who are genuinely interested in learning and leading within a Montessori environment are encouraged to apply. Salary range is $85,000 – $97,000.
Interested candidates should submit a résumé and letter of interest to Barbara Orlowitz, Head of School, at [email protected].
