International Montessori School is a diverse environment where teachers and families of many cultures, languages, and backgrounds come together in a supportive and engaging community. Faculty and staff have the opportunity to work in their native language while helping children uncover their potential, become bilingual and bicultural, and develop into competent, compassionate and curious global citizens. IMS is a non-profit, independent school located in North Carolina approximately ten minutes south of Duke University and fifteen minutes north of the UNC-Chapel Hill. As part of the Triangle area, Durham is three hours from the beach, two hours from the mountains, and is rich area with outdoor activities, cultural events, and college sports.
IMS, an equal opportunity employer, seeks to support a diverse staff to reflect the diverse community of parents and students. Our 2023-2024 student body is 8% African-American or Black, 6% Asian, 7% Hispanic, 35% Multi-racial, and 44% Caucasian. We offer a competitive benefits package to full-time employees. In addition, employees enjoy beautiful classrooms with natural lighting and outdoor access, tuition remission for dependents, small class sizes, and joyful, supportive, and fun co-workers.
Are You an Ideal Candidate for IMS?
As you read these questions, do you see yourself? If so, we would love to talk to you about an open position or a possible future position!
- Do you marvel at children and find yourself observing them to see just what they will do and where their inquiries will take them?
- Is your focus on helping children uncover and develop their abilities and interests across a variety of disciplines?
- Are you a life-long learner who gets as excited about new discoveries and new opportunities to grow?
- Are you peaceful and joyful?
- Do you want to help an education for children that is well-respected in the community and unique across the country?
- Do you consider your multilingual and multicultural background and experience not only enriching, but also key to being a strong contributor to our global society?
Open Positions
We are seeking an exceptional individual with 2 to 5 years of relevant experience to join our team as the Assistant Head of School at International Montessori School. This new position will play a critical role in supporting the Head of School and will be instrumental in driving the next phase of our school’s growth at our elementary campus. As the Assistant Head of School, you will provide outstanding educational leadership and contribute to our mission of fostering curious and confident students who embrace diversity and have a positive impact in the world. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of an international educational institution during a transformative phase of expansion.
Responsibilities:
- Support the Head of School in implementing the school’s mission.
- Collaborate with the Head of School to cultivate a positive and nurturing learning environment for students and families, where pursuing curiosity, experiencing languages and culture, appreciation and respect, empathy and caring are fundamental values.
- Assist in managing and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the school, including academic programs, extracurricular activities, and administrative tasks, ensuring they align with the mission and values of the school.
- Provide instructional leadership by supporting teachers in implementing the Montessori curriculum effectively, fostering a love for learning, exploration, appreciation for diverse perspectives, and empathy towards others.
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement by regularly evaluating programs and implementing necessary changes to enhance student learning outcomes, focusing on developing global citizens who are equipped to make a positive impact in an interconnected world.
- Assist in the recruitment, hiring, and evaluation of teaching and administrative staff, seeking professionals who share a commitment to the school’s mission and values.
- Collaborate with the Head of School to develop and manage the school’s budget, ensuring resources are allocated to support programs and initiatives that align with the mission and values of the school.
- Cultivate strong relationships with families, fostering open communication and collaboration to support student success, celebrate diversity, and address any concerns or issues in a respectful, inclusive, and empathetic manner.
- Engage in professional development activities to stay updated with the latest research, advancements, and best practices in education that align with the Montessori philosophy and language immersion.
- Represent the school in various community events and engage with external stakeholders, such as educational organizations, government agencies, and accreditation bodies, promoting our mission and values.
Qualifications:
- A minimum of a Master’s degree in Education or a related field. Montessori certification at the elementary or secondary level is highly desirable.
- Two to five years of proven experience in a leadership role within a Montessori school or a similar educational setting, with a demonstrated commitment to strong academic as well as social and emotional growth for students.
- Excellent organizational, administrative, and managerial skills, with the ability to oversee multiple responsibilities and prioritize tasks aligned with the school’s mission and values.
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills to build positive relationships with students, families, staff, and external stakeholders, promoting a diverse and inclusive community.
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a leadership team and contribute to a positive and inclusive school culture.
- Strong instructional leadership skills with the ability to support and guide teachers.
- In-depth knowledge and understanding of the Montessori philosophy, principles, and best practices, or a strong willingness to learn and become familiar with them, with a focus on creating an inclusive and globally-minded learning environment.
- Demonstrated commitment to continuous professional growth and staying up-to-date with current educational trends, research, and advancements in fostering curiosity, confidence, embracing diversity, and cultivating empathy in education.
- Familiarity with educational standards that focus on integrating global citizenship and diversity considerations.
- Strong fluency in English (spoken and written) is essential, and proficiency in additional languages is highly beneficial.
IMS, an equal opportunity employer, seeks to support a diverse staff to reflect the diverse community of parents and students. Our 2023-2024 student body is 8% African-American or Black, 6% Asian, 7% Hispanic, 35% Multi-racial, and 44% Caucasian.
This is an 11-month position starting in early August. Join our dedicated team and contribute to providing a high-quality Montessori education, where pursuing curiosity, experiencing languages and culture, appreciation, respect, empathy, and caring are core values. Be an integral part of our school’s transformative growth phase and help shape our future as the Assistant Head of School. Together, we can nurture curious and confident students who embrace diversity and make a positive impact in the world.
Interested candidates should apply by submitting a cover letter and a CV or resume to (Head of School) Angela Bailey, hiring@imsnc.org. In your cover letter, please address your philosophy of educational leadership and why you are interested in working at IMS.
IMS is seeking a co-lead teacher for our Primary/Early Childhood program to join our team for the 2023-2024 academic year. We are seeking a native or near-native Spanish speaker with pre-K classroom experience who would like to join a Montessori-certified lead teacher as a co-lead or as an assistant teacher/Montessori intern while pursuing their own Montessori certification.
Our ideal candidate has a passion for and experience with working with younger (3-6-years) students, is a lifelong learner, is creative, and thrives in a collaborative, international culture. In addition, our ideal candidate has experience in a language immersion or dual language program.
Qualifications:
- Native or near-native fluency in Spanish
- Good communication skills in both written and spoken English and Spanish
- Primary Montessori certification from a MACTE-accredited program and a bachelor’s degree or international equivalent. Montessori training may be sponsored by the school for teachers who do not already have credentials.
- Experience as a primary Montessori guide – preferred
- Existing US work authorization – required
- Committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and diverse learning community
Interested candidates should apply by submitting a cover letter and a CV or resume to (Head of School) Angela Bailey, abailey@imsnc.org. In your cover letter, please address your philosophy of education and why you are interested in working at IMS.
IMS is seeking a part-time teacher for our Spanish immersion upper elementary program (9-12-years-old) to join our team for the 2023-2024 school year. This position is responsible for a small multi-age class of 10 students, most of whom have been enrolled in a Spanish immersion program since preschool. The program is delivered completely in Spanish and meets Monday through Friday from 1:00 – 3:00. Additional time is required for faculty meetings on Tuesdays, occasional school events, and three hours of planning time (time to be discussed) for a weekly commitment of approximately 15 hours a week.
Our ideal candidate is a lifelong learner, is creative, and thrives in a collaborative, international culture. In addition, our ideal candidate has experience in a language immersion or dual language program.
Qualifications:
- Native or near-native fluency in Spanish
- Good communication skills in both written and spoken English and Spanish
- A passion for and experience working with the older elementary child (ages 9-12)
- Experience as an elementary Spanish teacher
- Experience as a Montessori guide is preferred
- Existing US work authorization
- Committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and diverse learning community
Interested candidates should apply by submitting a cover letter and a CV or resume to (Head of School) Angela Bailey, hiring@imsnc.org. In your cover letter, please address your philosophy of education and why you are interested in working at IMS.
International Montessori School is seeking a Adolescent/Secondary Education guide with a background in math and/or science to join our team in the 2023-2024 academic year. We are looking for a creative educator to join our founding adolescent team and innovate with us! Full-time employment is preferred, but we would consider part-time with the right candidate.
Montessori experience and/or education preferred, and experience working with upper elementary/adolescents is required. The candidate will join a Montessori-certified lead teacher as a co-lead in an upper elementary classroom. There is potential for school sponsorship to pursue their own Montessori adolescent/secondary certification. Our ideal candidate has a passion for and experience with guiding young people, is a lifelong learner, is creative, and thrives in a collaborative, international culture.
Qualifications:
- Strong leadership skills and a willingness to take on the tasks of working and developing our program as part of our team.
- Be enthusiastic about the adolescent stage of life; they must listen well and relate well to students
- Creative problem solving skills, dependability, and flexibility
- Strong written and spoken communication skills and willingness to work collaboratively
- Secondary/Elementary Montessori certification from a MACTE-accredited program is preferred. Bachelor’s degree is required.
- Experience as an elementary or adolescent Montessori guide – preferred
- Existing US work authorization – required
- Committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and diverse learning community
Interested candidates should apply by submitting a cover letter and a CV or resume to (Head of School) Angela Bailey, abailey@imsnc.org. In your cover letter, please address your philosophy of education and why you are interested in working at IMS.
Responsibilities include:
- Creating and maintaining an environment that is clean and safe for all children.
- Carrying out the daily responsibilities of the classroom relating to the care of the children.
- Providing for the safety and well-being of each child and responding to their emotional needs.
- Supporting the lead teachers in providing lessons to the children.
- Establishing a professional level of rapport with each family in order to provide quality care for the children
- Planning and implementing an engaging and nurturing after school program as part of a team
Minimum Qualifications:
- Native or near native fluency in French
- Strong fluency in English
- 1-2 years experience in a classroom supporting children ages 3-6
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a teaching team
- Existing US work authorization
Our ideal candidate has a passion for guiding young people, is a lifelong learner, and thrives in a collaborative, international culture.
This position can be fulfilled as a full-time or part-time schedule. A competitive salary and health, vision, and dental benefits are available.
All interested candidates should apply by sending a cover letter and a current resume/CV to Angela Bailey, Head of School, at hiring@imsnc.org.
IMS is seeking a full-time classroom assistant and after school teacher to join our Spanish primary (3-6 year old) team. The Spanish primary classroom is a full immersion program with the Montessori curriculum implemented entirely in Spanish. Most of our students come from English-speaking homes and some have at least one parent who speaks Spanish as their native language.
Responsibilities include:
- Creating and maintaining an environment that is clean and safe for all children.
- Carrying out the daily responsibilities of the classroom relating to the care of the children.
- Providing for the safety and well-being of each child and responding to their emotional needs.
- Supporting the lead teachers in providing lessons to the children.
- Establishing a professional level of rapport with each family in order to provide quality care for the children
- Planning and implementing an engaging and nurturing after school program as part of a team
Minimum Qualifications:
- Native or near native fluency in Spanish
- Strong fluency in English
- 1-2 years experience in a classroom supporting children ages 3-6
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a teaching team
- Existing US work authorization
Our ideal candidate has a passion for guiding young people, is a lifelong learner, and thrives in a collaborative, international culture.
This position can be fulfilled as a full-time or part-time schedule. A competitive salary and health, vision, and dental benefits are available.
All interested candidates should apply by sending a cover letter and a current resume/CV to Angela Bailey, Head of School, at hiring@imsnc.org.
IMS is looking for English, French, Mandarin Chinese, and Spanish speakers who love young children, have experience with these age groups, and are interested in part-time work. Part-time substitute teachers assist the lead teacher when the second classroom teacher is absent. They may also be called to supervise and nurture our children during lunch, on the playground, and at nap time while the lead teachers take lunch breaks and have planning time.
Because substitutes are typically joining a classroom teacher or assistant, assignment hours could be from 7:45 or 8:00 to 3:30, from 10:45 to 1:00, or from 2:30 to 5:45, depending on the circumstance. We have flexible work times that could be ideal for university students or parents wishing to be available for their children when they return from school. We will provide training in support of our language immersion and Montessori approach for qualified candidates.
How to Apply
Unless otherwise noted in the individual position, all interested candidates should apply by sending a cover letter and a current resume/CV to the Head of School at hiring@imsnc.org.
Be sure to include your thoughts on the following topics in your cover letter:
- how you came to Montessori education or why you would be interested in a child-centered program that is aligned with the development of the child and that focuses on the social, emotional, and cognitive growth of the child.
- why you wish to teach or work in a language immersion setting