Montessori Director (Grant Funded)

Cincinnati Public Schools•Cincinnati, OH

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Montessori Director is the strategic leader responsible for the vision, high-fidelity implementation, and continuous improvement of Montessori education across Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS). This role oversees the integration of Montessori philosophy with state and national standards, manages community and professional partnerships (including the American Montessori Society (AMS) and the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE)), and directs the district’s Montessori Teacher Education Program (Montessori Training Institute). This position is accountable for the successful implementation of a multi-year, externally funded grant supporting the Montessori Lab School at Bramble Nature Campus and the district-wide Montessori Educator Preparation Program. The Director is responsible for meeting defined performance benchmarks tied to student outcomes, staffing, accreditation, and program implementation, as well as ensuring compliance with all grant reporting and funding requirements. As a highly visible leadership role, the Director will represent CPS Montessori programming internally and externally, contributing to Board communications, community engagement, and national partnerships. This role will establish systems, structures, and processes for a growing district-wide initiative and serves as a bridge between classroom practice and district-level strategy, ensuring every student has equitable access to a high-quality Montessori experience.

Requirements

Master’s Degree required (Educational Leadership or related field preferred)
Montessori Credential (AMS, AMI, or MACTE-accredited) required or obtained within one year
AMS Membership required or obtained within one year
Principal License preferred
Superintendent License preferred
Ability to meet any state or district requirements related to supervision and evaluation of staff, if applicable
Minimum of 3 years successful experience as a Montessori teacher (post-credential)
Demonstrated experience leading adults (coaching, mentoring, or instructional leadership)
Experience managing programs, budgets, and cross-functional initiatives
Demonstrated success managing complex initiatives with measurable outcomes and accountability
Experience working with external partners, grants, or compliance-driven programs strongly preferred
Experience building or launching new programs or initiatives strongly preferred
Deep knowledge of Montessori philosophy and instructional practice
Strong data analysis and problem-solving skills
Ability to build trust and collaborate across diverse stakeholder groups
Strong organizational and project management skills
Ability to manage competing priorities, high-stakes accountability, and cross-functional leadership
Strong communication skills, including the ability to present to executive leadership, boards, and external stakeholders

Nice To Haves

Principal License preferred
Superintendent License preferred
Experience working with external partners, grants, or compliance-driven programs strongly preferred
Experience building or launching new programs or initiatives strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Oversee supervision, and evaluation of Montessori Training Institute personnel
Design and implement program structures including syllabi, handbooks, and delivery models
Establish and maintain model classrooms for observation, practicum, and professional learning
Serve as liaison to accrediting organizations (AMS and MACTE) to secure and maintain program accreditation
Lead transition of the Montessori Training Institute from pilot to a sustainable model, including potential revenue generation through external participation
Partner with HR, Legal, Labor Relations, and school leadership on staffing and program implementation
Ensure development of a qualified pipeline of credentialed Montessori educators to meet district staffing needs.
Monitor and report on program outcomes aligned to grant performance benchmarks
Refine Montessori curriculum aligned to Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW) standards and assessment expectations
Support schools through walkthroughs, coaching, co-teaching, and instructional planning
Lead data analysis cycles to inform instructional improvements
Ensure consistent implementation of Montessori practices across all CPS Montessori classrooms
Monitor instructional quality tied to district and grant-defined success metrics
Support evaluation of Montessori program implementation in partnership with school and district leadership
Design and facilitate professional learning for teachers and administrators
Lead instructional walkthroughs and “look-fors” to drive continuous improvement
Maintain documentation of coaching cycles and professional growth
Build district-wide capacity to sustain Montessori programming beyond the grant period
Lead implementation of all grant-funded initiatives associated with the Montessori Lab School and Montessori Training Institute
Ensure compliance with all grant requirements, timelines, and deliverables
Develop and maintain systems for tracking key performance indicators (KPIs), including: Student achievement and performance outcomes. Staffing and credentialing rates Enrollment and retention metrics
Lead development, validation, and submission of all required grant reports, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and alignment with funding requirements
Coordinate site visits, evaluations, and stakeholder meetings associated with grant oversight
Serve as the primary point of accountability for ensuring continued eligibility for grant funding
Develop and manage the Montessori program budget in alignment with district policies and procedures
Ensure all expenditures comply with grant requirements and allowable use of funds
Partner with the Treasurer’s Office on financial planning, monitoring, and reporting
Ensure fiscal stewardship of grant funds, including compliance with reimbursement structures and audit requirements
Collaborate with Curriculum, Talent Acquisition, Communications, and school leadership to align strategy and execution
Work in partnership with assigned instructional coaches and support staff to implement Montessori programming across schools
Represent CPS Montessori programming in Board presentations, community engagement, and professional forums
Build and maintain partnerships with local, state, and national Montessori organizations
Promote CPS Montessori initiatives to support recruitment, program visibility, and long-term sustainability
Direct supervision of Montessori Training Institute staff and other assigned personnel
Indirect leadership and influence across multiple school sites, instructional staff, and administrators
Direct supervision building leadership in Montessori Schools.