Head Of School
Mountaintop Montessori School seeks a dedicated, collaborative, and inspiring Head of School to lead the community and build upon the successes of the former Head of School, who was a deeply committed Montessorian who modeled the Montessori philosophy in every aspect of school management. This position is scheduled to begin in July 2026.
Mountaintop is an independent school that has educated children for over 40 years. The school is situated on a beautiful 9-acre garden campus in the Pantops area of Charlottesville, VA, where an authentic Montessori education is offered for children from 18 months through the eighth grade.
For complete information about Mountaintop and this position, you can view the Head of School search brochure here: https://mountaintopmontessori.org/Mountaintop_Montessori_IFC_(1).pdf
The next leader must possess professional experience and personal qualities that align with the school culture and must demonstrate the following:
Qualifications and Attributes
- Experience in and deep understanding of Montessori education
- A commitment to building leadership capacity and delegating responsibility throughout the school community
- Experience in identifying and recruiting high-quality faculty and staff and investing in their personal and professional growth
- Modeling of high professional standards and the ability to hold others accountable
- The ability to work with the Board in strategically considering the long-term future of the school
- Experience in enrollment management focused on the recruitment and retention of students
- Deep commitment to adhering to Mountaintop’s non-discrimination policy and fostering an inclusive environment for all
- An understanding of the value of engaging parents as partners in the education of their children
- Financial acumen and experience in fundraising
- An understanding of the value of data-informed decision making
Personal Attributes and Leadership Style
- Honest and trustworthy with strong personal integrity
- Present, approachable, and responsive
- A deep interest in investing in the growth of others
- An active listener
- A relationship builder
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- A collaborative leadership style
- The ability to work productively through conflict and build consensus
Mountaintop offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits package, which includes the following:
- Competitive compensation to be based on qualifications, educational background and experience
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Short-term and long-term disability insurance
- Life insurance
- Employee Assistance Plan
- 403(b) retirement plan
- 403(b) matching contributions
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
Summary of the Search Process
Candidates interested in this position are asked to submit the following materials in a single merged PDF file to Mary Seppala or Debbie Millon as soon as possible. Dossiers will be reviewed upon receipt.
- EC Summary Sheet (Contact Mary Seppala or Debbie Millon for this document)
- Letter of Interest addressed to the Search Committee
- Current Résumé
- Statement of Educational Leadership Philosophy
- A list of five or more professional references with contact information (name, relationship to candidate, phone, and email address)
- Disclosure Statement (Contact Mary Seppala or Debbie Millon for this document)
Send application materials via email to:
Debbie Millon, Educators Collaborative, Email: dmillon@educatorscollaborative.com
Mary Seppala, Educators Collaborative, Email: mseppala@educatorscollaborative.com
Mountaintop is committed to offering equal opportunities in all of its enrollment and employment practices. Mountaintop does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, family makeup, marital status, age, socio-economic level, disability, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, learning style, or any other protected category. Mountaintop is committed to ensuring that non-discrimination applies to all areas of enrollment and employment.
Elementary Guide
Mountaintop Montessori seeks a Lower Elementary Guide (lead teacher) for the 2025-26 school year, beginning mid-August 2025. This is a full-time, school-year position. We seek a committed Montessorian excited to work collaboratively within the elementary team. As the lead guide, this position applies their expertise to create, inspire, and direct learning to meet the needs of children in a multi-age environment (6-9 years old). This position is supported by an assistant and works closely with families to ensure that they experience what is possible from an authentic Montessori education.
Qualifications
- Montessori elementary (6-12, 6-9) certification from an accredited organization (AMI, AMS, MACTE, etc.) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Education (or similar).
- Experience working with diverse students and families
- A passion for supporting children’s cognitive, emotional, social, and physical growth
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Experience with leading classroom communications, including emails, parent letters, and classroom updates.
- Previous experience working in an elementary environment is highly desired.
- Ability to analyze student behavior and apply appropriate intervention
- Strong organizational and classroom management skills, ability to multitask, and self-initiative are required
ABOUT Mountaintop Montessori
Mountaintop is an independent school that has educated children for over 40 years. The school is situated on a beautiful 9-acre garden campus in the Pantops area of Charlottesville, VA, where an authentic Montessori education is offered for children from 18 months through the eighth grade.
BENEFITS
Mountaintop offers a comprehensive benefits package, paid time off and professional development opportunities, financial aid to qualified employees, beautiful working environments, and the opportunity to work with a passionate community of educators who are dedicated to nourishing children’s natural love of learning.
COMPENSATION
Annual compensation starting at $48,500, with upward adjustments to be based on education and experience
TO APPLY
Please send a resume and cover letter to jchapman@mountaintopmontessori.org. Applications will be reviewed as received.
Classroom & Aftercare Assistant
Mountaintop Montessori, a private independent school, is currently seeking qualified candidates to fill a full-time position. The position begins mid-August and runs through early June, with the potential of continuing through the summer months and into the next school year.
About Our School:
Mountaintop Montessori provides the greater Charlottesville community with an exceptional and authentic Montessori education, serving children and families from infancy through adolescence. Our campus is home to year-round programming in which children thrive through experiential learning, interactions with the natural world, and collaborative discovery. Our campus is a 9-acre classroom including multiple gardens, a greenhouse, a certified wildlife habitat, and an art studio.
We envision children who live with enduring curiosity, joy, and responsibility. A community where each member is cherished and challenged. A world enriched by these young leaders, creators, problem-solvers, and peace-makers.
About the Position:
Desired profile for this position is someone who has experience working with children, possesses strong classroom management skills, and has the ability to guide children through redirection and affirmative language. An open-mind, sense of humor, and flexibility are also highly desired. Must be willing to take direction. This position assists in a Montessori Children’s House classroom and with aftercare programs consisting of students ranging in age from 2 ½ years through Kindergarten. It begins mid-August and is contracted through early June with the potential of continuing into the next school year.
Shift:
Monday-Friday
10:00-5:30 PM
Pay: $19.00/hr
Classroom and Aftercare Assistant is responsible for (but not limited to) the following duties:
- Supervising students ages 2 ½ – 5 in a Children’s House Montessori classroom
- Supervising students ages 2 ½ – 4 in the nap room, and ensuring a calm, peaceful environment
- Supervising students ages 2 ½ – 5 on the playground and in the aftercare room.
- Assisting with general monitoring of playground and snack time to ensure safety and order
- Developing sound relationships with all students
- Ensuring group transitions happen safely and effectively
- Maintaining appropriate child-to-staff ratios at all times
- Maintaining accurate records of participant attendance during parent pick-up period
- Classroom maintenance/cleaning
- Must follow all Mountaintop Montessori policies and procedures, as well as all Virginia Department of Education licensing standards
Qualifications:
● As a condition of employment, a criminal background check and fingerprinting are required.
● Must have regular, reliable, predictable attendance in performance of essential job functions.
● Experience working with children.
● Ability to work effectively with parents, co-workers, and diverse communities.
● Demonstrated leadership and organizational skills, initiative, creativity, and flexibility, including the ability to evaluate and make changes as necessary to ensure a successful program experience.
● First Aid/CPR certification is preferred, not required.
● The ability to sit on the floor with students, lift 30 pounds, and bend down to a child’s eye level
Interested applicants should direct correspondence via Indeed to Mary Reitsma, Director of Camps and Afterschool Programs.
We offer:
Competitive salary
Professional development opportunities
A supportive and respectful work environment
Substitute Teacher
Support our students in toddler (18 months) through grade 8 in the classroom, on the playground, and
during mealtimes. Substitutes support a lead teacher (no direct teaching) in maintaining a safe learning
environment. The ideal candidate must have a loving commitment to working with children. This is a fun
and flexible job with the opportunity to build lasting relationships.
Pay: $19.00/hr
Duties Include:
● Playground, classroom, lunch and snack supervision of students
● When working with children in pre-K and toddler programs, substitutes may also have nap
supervision duties
● Classroom organization and cleaning
Qualifications:
● As a condition of employment, a criminal background check and fingerprinting are required.
● Must have regular, reliable, predictable attendance in performance of essential job functions.
● Experience working with children.
● Ability to work effectively with parents, co-workers, and diverse communities.
● Demonstrated leadership and organizational skills, initiative, creativity, and flexibility, including
the ability to evaluate and make changes as necessary to ensure a successful program
experience.
● First Aid/CPR certification is preferred not required
● The ability to sit on the floor with students, lift 30 pounds, and bend down to a child’s eye level
Interested applicants should direct correspondence via Indeed to Mary Reitsma, Director of Camps and
Afterschool Programs.
We offer:
Competitive salary
Professional development opportunities
A supportive and respectful work environment
Mountaintop is committed to offering equal opportunities in all of its enrollment and employment
practices. Mountaintop does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity,
sexual orientation, family makeup, marital status, age, socio-economic level, disability, pregnancy,
childbirth or related medical condition, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, learning style or
any other protected category. Mountaintop is committed to ensuring that non-discrimination applies to
all areas of enrollment and employment.