Job Title: Montessori Certified Lower Elementary Teacher Company: Montessori School of Denver Location: Denver, CO Type: Full-time (2025–2026 school year) Pay: $55,000–$65,000 (starting at $55,000)
Role Summary:
Teach Lower Elementary (ages ~6–9). Deliver Montessori lessons, maintain a prepared classroom environment, partner with families, and collaborate with the elementary team. Requires AMS or AMI Montessori certification and a bachelor’s degree.
Highlights:
Clear salary band and employee benefits (including professional development and tuition remission).
Accredited independent Montessori school with an established Lower Elementary program.
Position is tied to the academic year and requires certification.
Would You Take This Job?
This is a mission-driven classroom role with a clear salary band and benefits—great for a certified Montessori teacher who prefers independent-school work. Considerations: academic-year schedule and certification requirement. Would you take this job? Why or why not?
I’d ask how they protect a true 3-hour work cycle and what the assistant-to-student ratio is; I once passed on a “great” offer because specials chopped the morning every day and it felt more like center rotations than Montessori. If they can guarantee uninterrupted work time and a materials budget (even $1 - 2k), the salary range becomes a lot more livable.
I’d ask how they protect a true 3-hour work cycle with specials and whether planning time is built in — ugh, I’ve had so-called full-time roles where prep got squeezed into lunch. In Denver, starting at $55k is tight, so I’d try for a step bump for AMS/AMI and LE years plus clear benefits and PD funds. Also confirm the assistant’s hours cover the full morning and who owns recess/lunch so you’re not stuck doing every transition.
I always clarify what happens when the assistant is out — do they bring in a floater or are you solo — because I once did a whole week alone with 24 kids and it burned me out.