Children's House Director

We are seeking an exceptional Children's House Director to serve as the pedagogical leader of our Primary program - the guardian of Montessori excellence and the trusted presence that faculty and families rely on every day. This is a role for someone who lights up walking into a prepared environment, who can coach a first-year guide through a tricky presentation and sit with a veteran teacher to reimagine their classroom culture, often in the same afternoon.

If you are a Montessori leader who believes that excellence is built through relationships - not mandates - and who is ready to help shape the long-term direction of a beloved program, we want to hear from you.

The Role

The Children's House Director is the pedagogical leader and primary administrator for our Children's House level, working in close partnership with the Assistant Head of School. This is a highly visible, classroom-focused leadership role - you will spend meaningful time every day observing, modeling, and coaching guides and assistants, ensuring that Montessori philosophy is not only understood but consistently and skillfully implemented in practice.

You will be both the coach on the sideline and the strategist in the room - building deep trust with faculty, balancing support with accountability, and communicating with clarity, empathy, and professionalism across the entire Children's House community. You will also be a key voice in shaping the long-term vision of the program as a member of the school's leadership team.

What You Will Do

Lead and Develop Faculty

• Maintain a strong daily presence in classrooms - observing, coaching, and providing real-time support
• Provide frequent, specific, and actionable feedback grounded in Montessori principles and child development
• Lead formal evaluation cycles, including goal-setting, observation, feedback, and growth planning
• Provide targeted support for new or developing teachers, including more frequent observation and coaching
• Build and sustain a culture of trust, professionalism, and continuous improvement across the level

Support Students and Partner with Families

• Maintain visibility of children across classrooms through regular observation and collaboration with faculty
• Support guides in interpreting behavior and developmental needs through a Montessori lens
• Step in directly to support complex classroom or child-specific situations when needed
• Serve as a primary point of contact for Children's House families, with a regular cadence of communication
• Partner with families to address concerns in a solution-oriented, calm, and collaborative manner

Lead and Collaborate Across the School

• Serve as a key member of the school leadership team, representing Children's House in strategic planning
• Oversee daily operations, hiring, onboarding, and state licensing compliance for the Children's House program
• Partner with Admissions to support enrollment goals, tours, and student placement
• Maintain relationships with Montessori training centers and the broader Montessori community
• Advance the school's commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Justice through leadership and practice

What We Are Looking For

• Montessori trained and certified at the Primary level (AMI preferred)
• At least 3-5 years of experience teaching in a Primary/Children's House environment
• Proven experience managing and leading a team of educators
• A relationship-builder who leads with trust, presence, and accountability
• Skilled at delivering honest, constructive feedback with care and follow-through
• Committed to Equity, Diversity, and Justice - in practice, not just in principle
• Bachelor's degree preferred

Why Lake Country School

• A mission-driven community with deep Montessori roots and a genuine commitment to living its values
• A collaborative, respectful adult culture where faculty feel supported and celebrated
• A unique dual-campus experience - urban classrooms and a Land School environment
• A leadership team that values partnership, transparency, and shared vision
• A school that takes Equity, Diversity, and Justice seriously - as ongoing practice, not a checkbox
• Competitive compensation and benefits for an exempt, full-time position

Salary: $80,000 - $100,000 annually, commensurate with experience and credentials.

Employee Benefits and Professional Development

LCS offers a robust employee benefits package, including: health, dental, short-term disability, long-term disability, life, 5% no-match-required 403(b) employer contribution, 100% employer-covered MN Paid Leave premium, free before- and after-school care for staff children, sponsorship and training, and travel and study grants.