DIRECTOR OF ELEMENTARY & MIDDLE SCHOOL
 

The Director of Elementary & Middle School Program is a senior leadership role responsible for the vision, management, and daily operations of our 1st through 8th-grade programs. As a core member of the Leadership Team, this individual ensures academic excellence, nurtures a vibrant and supportive school culture, and upholds the mission and values of VMS. We are looking for a leader who brings both strategic thinking and a genuine love for children and education — someone equally comfortable in a classroom conversation and a board-level discussion.

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Key Responsibilities:
 

Executive Leadership & Strategy

• Serve as a core member of the senior Leadership Team, contributing to school-wide policy, strategic planning, and institutional decision-making

• Champion the VMS mission as an authentic role model for students, faculty, and families

• Maintain a visible, approachable presence that builds trust and connection across the community

 

Academic & Curriculum Leadership

• Oversee and continuously improve the 1st–8th grade curriculum to ensure rigor, coherence, and alignment with VMS values

• Lead faculty development through observation, coaching, evaluation, and professional growth planning

• Collaborate with the Head of School on faculty hiring to attract and retain exceptional educators

• Serve as the primary liaison for Level Leads (Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, and Middle School) and facilitate regular departmental meetings

• Manage staffing logistics including scheduling and substitute teacher coordination

 

Community & Family Engagement

• Maintain open, proactive communication with the Head of School and school leadership

• Build and sustain positive relationships with families through conferences, events, and ongoing outreach

• Coordinate with external public and private school personnel on student transitions and records as needed

• Represent VMS at major school events and in the broader community

 

Student Support & School Culture

• Partner with student support staff to ensure the social-emotional and academic needs of all learners are met

• Foster an inclusive, caring environment consistent with Montessori philosophy and VMS values

• Provide guidance and support to faculty navigating student behavioral or family concerns

 

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Education, Educational Leadership, or a related field preferred; Bachelor's degree with equivalent experience considered

• 3+ years of experience in school leadership, curriculum development, or a related administrative role

• Montessori certification (AMI or AMS) required; deep familiarity with Montessori philosophy and pedagogy

• Demonstrated ability to lead, inspire, and develop a diverse faculty team

• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage competing priorities

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills across all audiences — students, parents, and colleagues alike

• High emotional intelligence and a collaborative, solutions-oriented leadership style

• Experience with crisis response and conflict resolution

 

Who We're Looking For

Beyond credentials and experience, we are looking for a person of genuine character. The ideal candidate will embody the following:

• Collaboration: You lead with people, not above them. You actively seek input, share credit, and understand that the best outcomes at VMS are always a team effort.

• Flexibility: School life is dynamic. You adapt with grace when plans change, balance competing priorities without losing focus, and model calm and steadiness for those around you.

• Respectful Dialogue: You communicate with colleagues, families, and students with honesty, warmth, and care. You can hold a difficult conversation and leave the other person feeling heard and respected.

• Emotional Intelligence: You read a room, respond thoughtfully under pressure, and bring out the best in the people you lead.

• Mission Alignment: You don't just accept the Montessori philosophy, you believe in it and live it.

 

Why VMS?

Valley Montessori School is more than a workplace, it's a community. Nestled on a beautiful, nature-rich campus in Livermore, VMS is a place where the environment itself reflects our values: thoughtfully designed, calm, and full of life. Our staff are our greatest asset, many have called VMS home for years, even decades, because of the deep sense of belonging and purpose they find here.

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At VMS, Montessori isn't just a method, it's a shared philosophy that shapes how we treat children, how we collaborate with families, and how we show up for one another as colleagues. You will join a warm, family-like community of educators who genuinely care about the work they do and the people they do it with.

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If you are a mission-driven leader looking for a place where your work truly matters, we would love to meet you.

How to Apply:
Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter through Indeed. Valley Montessori School is an equal opportunity employer.