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Position - Lead Montessori Primary Teacher (Ages 3-5)
Location - Lincoln Park, Michigan Start Date - Summer 2026
About St. John Paul II Classical Catholic School
St. John Paul II Classical Catholic School offers a Montessori preschool (including religious education through the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd) and Kindergarten through Eighth Grade Catholic Classical curriculum.
Position Summary
St. John Paul II Classical Catholic School is seeking a dedicated and experienced Lead Primary Montessori Teacher to guide a mixed-age classroom of children ages 3-5, beginning Summer 2026. This position is ideal for a Catholic, Montessori-trained educator who brings faith, warmth, patience, creativity, and a deep understanding of the developmental needs of young children. The Lead Teacher is responsible for preparing and maintaining an inspiring Montessori learning environment that supports each child's growth spiritually, intellectually, socially, physically, and emotionally. They will lead instruction, build strong relationships with children and families, and work collaboratively with colleagues across the school.
Key Responsibilities
• Guide and deliver individualized Montessori lessons in Practical Practical Life (work done for a meaningful purpose, rather than pretend work), food preparation with real food and utensils, Sensorial, Language (using cursive Sandpaper Letters and Moveable Alphabets), Math, Art (activities that focus on the exploration of art vs. adult-led uniform or worksheet-based products), Music, Cultural Studies, and Grace & Courtesy. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd responsibilities will depend on the candidate and their certification
• Observe students closely to assess their progress and plan the next steps in their learning, supporting a range of developmental levels within the classroom.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and aesthetically pleasing classroom environment that reflects Montessori principles and promotes safety and self-sufficiency (wooden furniture arranged in an orderly, appealing way, natural, subdued shades of color, purposeful wall displays at child's height, no visual clutter).
• Foster strong, trusting relationships with students that promote empathy, resilience, self-regulation, and joy in learning through respectful, deliberate adult-child interactions (calm, soft voices, explanations for processes rather than abrupt commands, adults at child's level with eye contact when speaking with individual children).
• Partner with the Montessori team to support smooth classroom flow, lesson delivery, and shared responsibilities.
• Communicate effectively with parents through regular updates, formal conferences, and informal conversations to build a strong home-school connection.
• Collaborate with other faculty members to plan interdisciplinary units, community projects, and cross-classroom experiences.
• Participate in staff meetings, school-wide events, and ongoing professional development.
• Be comfortable using technology for communication.
Required Skills & Experience
• A Montessori Primary Certification (AMI, AMS) is required.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience working as a Lead Teacher in a Montessori 3-6 environment.
• Level I Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Certification is strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to plan and implement a rich Montessori curriculum and adapt to the developmental needs of diverse learners.
• Strong managerial, organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• A flexible and responsive approach to working in a dynamic school environment.
Critical Qualities
• Strong personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and a deep love for His Church
• Developed prayer life
• Passionate about helping children grow as intentional disciples of Jesus
• Authentic, charitable, and joyful
• Humble, with a genuine openness to constructive criticism
• Self-starter with strong initiative
• Creative problem solver and incessant tinkerer, constantly driving towards better outcomes
• Effective planner and implementer
• Highly responsive and dependable
• A collaborative spirit and a positive, team-oriented mindset
• Desire to journey with parents, families, and children in a long-term relationship
Why Join St. John Paul II?
• A warm, Catholic, collaborative faculty that values professional growth and innovation.
• Small class sizes and a supportive administration that trusts and empowers its educators.
• A beautiful indoor and outdoor learning environment that reflects Montessori values.
• A deep commitment to nurturing the whole child-spiritually, intellectually, socially, physically, and emotionally.
To Apply
Interested candidates should email their resume, a cover letter, and a statement of faith to: principal@jp2catholic.com. In your letter, please share what draws you to this position and to working in a Catholic, Montessori environment. If you have taken the Kolbe A Index, please share your results as well.