Montessori Director

Job Description

The Director of MTEI is a rare and meaningful leadership opportunity for an experienced Montessori leader who wants to shape the future of the teacher education program. As the sole full-time leader of the Montessori Teacher Education Institute — a MACTE-accredited, AMS-affiliated program with cohorts in Atlanta, GA and Omaha, NE — you will direct every dimension of the institute: academic programming, accreditation, credentialing processes, enrollment, faculty development, and operations.

Required Director Required Skills and Education

• AMS credential (Early Childhood or Infant & Toddler) - active and in good standing
• Familiarity with MACTE accreditation standards and demonstrated experience working within or alongside an accredited teacher education program
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in Education, Montessori, or a related field strongly preferred
• Minimum 10 years of experience in Montessori education, including at least 5 years of lead teaching in a Montessori environment and teacher education experience
• Demonstrated leadership experience in a school, program, or organizational setting — including staff supervision, operational oversight, and strategic planning
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and confidence representing MTEI externally with accreditors, partner organizations, and the public
• Proficiency with online learning platforms (Canvas or similar LMS) and standard productivity tools
• Demonstrate adaptability to new and emerging instructional technologies
• Demonstrate ability to design, develop, and facilitate courses and professional learning workshops for adult learners, including experience with curriculum sequencing, rubric development, and instructional scaffolding
• Stays current with emerging research in education, adult learning, and Montessori practice; able to critically evaluate and integrate relevant findings into program development and instructional decision-making
• Knowledge of adult learning theory (andragogy) and ability to apply evidence-based principles to program and course design
• Able to travel up to 20%
• Occasional weekend and weeknight work to attend courses, observe faculty, and support Adult Learners

Preferred

• Prior experience as a director or administrator of a MACTE-accredited teacher education program
• Experience with GNPEC or comparable state authorization processes
• Familiarity with SCW, or similar billing/enrollment systems
• Experience presenting at professional conferences or facilitating large-group professional development
• Background in online course development (Articulate Storyline or similar tools)
• Existing relationships within the national Montessori community (AMS, MACTE, regional associations)

Key Responsibilities

Academic Program Leadership

• Direct all MTEI programs across Infant & Toddler, Early Childhood, and Elementary levels, ensuring alignment with AMS and MACTE standards
• Oversee curriculum quality, syllabi development, Canvas LMS implementation, and course materials for both in-person and online instruction
• Recruit, hire, train, and evaluate 1099 instructors and field consultants; conduct regular 1:1s, faculty meetings, and annual evaluations
• Manage the practicum program for all levels — including field visit scheduling, field consultant mentoring, report review, and practicum site oversight
• Support adult learners through mentorship, office hours, individual academic plans, and timely resolution of concerns

Accreditation & Compliance

• Maintain MACTE accreditation and AMS affiliation across all programs, including annual reports, self-studies, and on-site visits
• Manage state authorizations through GNPEC (Georgia) and the Nebraska state process; stay current on all state and federal requirements
• Serve as MTEI’s representative to MACTE and attend AMS meetings and trainings
• Maintain and update the Adult Learner Handbook, Faculty Handbook, and all enrollment and program documents per accreditation guidelines

Enrollment & Program Growth

• Lead the full enrollment cycle: inquiry follow-up, facility tours, Open Houses (4x annually), application review, interviews, and onboarding
• Drive enrollment strategy for all programs and both cohort locations in partnership with admin support
• Manage graduation and credentialing processes: file audits, AMS/MACTE submissions, credential signing and mailing, and graduation ceremonies

Faculty Development

• Mentor faculty in course design and adult instruction, offering guidance rooted in adult learning theory and Montessori philosophy
• Collaborate with level coordinators to conduct structured 1:1 meetings at key course milestones — course preparation, mid-course check-ins, and closing debriefs
• Collect faculty feedback at the end of the course and provide timely, actionable guidance for continuous improvement
• Plan and facilitate annual faculty meetings and professional development trainings in both in-person and online formats
• Serve as the primary faculty resource for course-related questions and professional development pathways in alignment with AMS and MACTE standards
• Monitor faculty compliance with AMS and MACTE mandatory professional development requirements and maintain accurate records

Operations & Finance

• Establish and manage the annual MTEI budget in partnership with Cadence finance; conduct monthly P&L review
• Oversee facilities for both the Atlanta and Nebraska locations — supplies, maintenance, vendor relationships, and environmental design
• Manage billing and invoicing oversight in partnership with administrative support staff (SCW, faculty invoices, scholarship tracking)
• Maintain MTEI’s annual academic calendar and all operational processes from enrollment through graduation

Professional Development & Mastermind

• Lead the Montessori Mastermind platform, including course development, BFTS/GAPDS-approved content, quarterly workshops, and website management
• Cultivate ongoing professional development for MTEI faculty and model a culture of continuous learning

Cadence Education Partnership

• Serve as a key contributor to Cadence’s Education Team, collaborating on curriculum initiatives, professional development days (PDD), and school-facing resources
• Act as a Montessori resource and liaison for Cadence’s Montessori region schools, supporting school directors, regional teams, and Cadence leadership
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Cadence leadership, marketing, and finance teams to ensure MTEI’s integration within the broader organization
• Represent MTEI at Cadence conferences and contribute to company-wide initiatives as a subject matter expert in Montessori education

Cadence Education is an Equal Opportunity Employer.