Status: Full-Time Salaried 12-month
Salary Range: $90,000 to $115,000 DOQ with a competitive benefits package (see below)
FLSA Category: Exempt
Reports to: Head of School
At Lake Country School, we believe that everything in a school exists to protect and strengthen one relationship above all others: the relationship between guide and student. That belief is not just a value statement - it shapes every decision we make.
We are seeking an exceptional Head of Pedagogy to serve as our top instructional leader and the guardian of that relationship. This is a role for someone who leads with trust, shows up in classrooms every day, and believes deeply that supporting adults is the most powerful way to serve children.
If you are an experienced Montessori educator who is equally energized by coaching a guide through a difficult moment, partnering with a family navigating a challenge, and helping shape the long-term direction of a school - we want to hear from you.
About Lake Country SchoolLake Country School (LCS) is a vibrant Montessori community serving students from Children's House through Junior High, including a unique Land School program. We are committed to Montessori fidelity, a strong faculty culture, meaningful family partnerships, and a deep commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Justice. Our urban and rural campuses offer a rich and distinctive educational environment, and our community is passionate, engaged, and mission-driven.
The RoleThe Head of Pedagogy is LCS's top instructional leader and a key administrative partner to the Head of School. This is a highly visible, classroom-focused leadership role. You will spend meaningful time every day in classrooms, specialist environments, at lunch, at recess - present, engaged, and building the relationships that make everything else possible.
You will oversee and support Children's House, Elementary I and II, Junior High, Land School, and specialist faculty and staff across both campuses. You will be both the coach on the sideline and the strategist in the room - inspiring faculty, holding high standards, and translating Montessori philosophy into the daily reality of student experience.
This is a servant leadership role. Your purpose is to build trust, foster connection, and provide the support, accountability, and systems that allow LCS faculty to do their best work for children.
What You Will DoLead and Develop FacultyBe present in classrooms, specialist environments, and all student spaces every dayObserve regularly and provide real-time coaching and structured written feedbackConduct meaningful check-ins, lead evaluation cycles, and set clear goals with every faculty memberLead a welcoming, thorough onboarding process for new faculty and substitutesFoster a trusting, professional, and collaborative adult culture across all rolesSupport Students and Partner with FamiliesKnow students as individuals - be present and visible in their daily experienceLead school-wide implementation of a consistent, developmentally appropriate approach to student behavior and community expectationsSupport faculty in navigating complex student and classroom dynamicsBuild genuine, proactive relationships with families - not only when challenges ariseLead and Collaborate Across the SchoolServe as a key member of the school leadership team and top pedagogical advisor to the Head of SchoolContribute to strategic planning, school-wide initiatives, and long-term program developmentPartner with Admissions to support enrollment goals and student placementAdvance the school's commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Justice through leadership and practiceWhat We Are Looking ForAMI Montessori trained and certifiedAt least 5-10 years of Montessori teaching experienceProven experience managing and leading a team of educatorsA relationship-builder who leads with trust, presence, and accountabilitySkilled at delivering honest, constructive feedback with care and follow-throughCommitted to Equity, Diversity, and Justice - in practice, not just in principleExperience with EDJ training and best practices preferredBachelor's degree or higher preferredWhy Lake Country SchoolA mission-driven community with deep Montessori roots and a genuine commitment to living its valuesA collaborative, respectful adult culture where faculty feel supported and celebratedA unique dual-campus experience - urban classrooms and a Land School environmentA leadership team that values partnership, transparency, and shared visionA school that takes Equity, Diversity, and Justice seriously - as ongoing practice, not a checkboxEmployee Benefits and Professional Development
LCS offers a robust employee benefits package, including: health, dental, short-term disability, long-term disability, life, 5% no-match-required 403 (b) employer contribution, 100% employer-covered MN Paid Leave premium, free before- and after-school care for staff children, sponsorship and training, and travel and study grants.
Equal Employment Opportunity StatementLake Country School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. LCS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences.
Accommodation StatementLake Country School is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process. If you require an accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact us and we will work with you to identify an appropriate accommodation.
Read LessLake Country School (LCS) is currently accepting applications for on call substitute staff positions. LCS relies on a qualified and dedicated group of substitutes to work with children when regular staff members are sick or attending to professional responsibilities outside the school.
Ideal candidates will be dedicated, energetic individuals with a passion for working with young children. This role requires someone who is flexible, organized, comfortable in a support role receiving directions from a lead teacher, and joyful in their work.
Assisting the teacher in the Children's House Department includes, but is not limited to, preparing the classroom environment, supervising children during lunch, recess, and physical fitness, sanitizing materials, monitoring nappers, leading songs or games, managing arrivals and dismissals, and stepping in and taking on the role of the responsible adult when the lead teacher is not present.
Assisting the teacher in the Elementary Department includes, but is not limited to, preparing the classroom environment, supervising children during lunch, recess, and physical fitness, sanitizing materials, supporting student research and work completion, reviewing student assignments, managing arrivals and dismissals, caring for students after school and stepping in and taking on the role of the responsible adult when the lead teacher is not present.
Thank you for considering becoming a substitute teacher at LCS!
Read LessTitle: Classroom Guide - Children’s House, Elementary, or Junior High
Status: Full-Time Salaried - 10-month teaching position
Salary Range: $48,000 to $80,000 DOQ with a competitive benefits package (see below)
FLSA Category: Exempt
Reports to: Head of School
Note: At this time there is not an active opening for this role but we always welcome qualified candidates to apply to be considered should a position open.
School Overview
At Lake Country School, we are more than educators—we are stewards of childhood curiosity, independence, and lifelong learning. Rooted deeply in authentic Montessori principles, our school fosters an environment where children are trusted, empowered, and supported to follow their interests and develop critical thinking, creativity, and confidence. We support children in being themselves, learning about their identities, and understanding others' identities, building a just and inclusive community.
Lake Country School (LCS) is a 50-year-old accredited, independent school that is a nationally recognized leader in Montessori education, with strong adherence to AMI standards. We support our faculty and staff with competitive salaries and benefits, as well as regular, ongoing professional development, check-ins, and reviews.
What truly distinguishes Lake Country School is its location and our one-of-a-kind learning environments. Our Urban Campus is nestled in the vibrant Kingfield Neighborhood in South Minneapolis, a mile from the chain of lakes and a few miles from downtown Minneapolis, with access to high-quality parks, museums, universities/colleges, and businesses in the Twin Cities. Inside the school, classrooms are warm and welcoming, with an abundance of natural light and well-resourced with a full complement of materials.
Our Rural Campus, the Land School, is a 160-acre property in Dunn County, Wisconsin where students immerse themselves in exploration, discovery, and practical work on the land during day trips and overnights. From caring for animals and tending gardens to developing practical life skills and stewarding the earth, this extraordinary setting enriches our curriculum and invites faculty to expand their influence beyond the classroom.
We are committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable learning environment where every student feels a sense of belonging and is valued and respected for who they are. Led by our Equity, Diversity, and Justice (EDJ) Advisor, Anti-Bias Anti-Racist practices are woven into the curriculum and environment to help children understand their identities and grow into compassionate, critical thinkers who care about fairness for all.
If you are a Montessori-trained educator who believes in honoring each child’s potential, fostering curiosity and resilience, and building joyful, inclusive learning communities, we invite you to bring your passion to Lake Country School. Together, we’ll support the next generation of thinkers, creators, and stewards of the world.
Position Overview
The Classroom Guide is the educational leader of the classroom with the primary responsibility of creating and maintaining an authentic Montessori learning environment and offering presentations and guidance to support children’s developmental needs in accordance with Montessori training and ongoing professional growth, including the integration of anti-bias, anti-racist, culturally responsive, and social-emotional practices. The Guide is also responsible for communicating and providing professional guidance to individual families regarding their child’s holistic growth and development, with regular connections throughout the year, two conferences, and written educational reports.
Employee Benefits and Professional Development
LCS offers a robust employee benefits package, including: health, dental, short-term disability, long-term disability, life, 5% no-match-required 403 (b) employer contribution, 100% employer-covered MN Paid Leave premium, free before- and after-school care for staff children, sponsorship and training, and travel and study grants.
Funds are allocated annually for professional development for all faculty. Faculty also participate in whole-school learning opportunities, trainings, and workshops. Sponsorships are also available for those interested in completing AMI Montessori training.
Required Qualifications
Additional Characteristics of an Ideal Candidate
We strongly encourage candidates from historically marginalized communities to apply, including educators of color, multilingual educators, and educators with diverse lived experiences. We are committed to building a faculty that reflects the diversity of our students and the broader Twin Cities community.
