Program Director (AMI-Primary & Elementary)

Program Director
Aya Montessori - Columbia, Maryland (USA)
Full-time, 10-months or Year-round. Start SY 26/27 (August 2026) or sooner. Typical hours 8:00 AM–5:00 PM; some evenings/weekends for school events.

Position Overview
Aya Montessori seeks an experienced leader to serve as Program Director (Pedagogy & Learning), accountable for the school’s pedagogical integrity and academic supervision from Primary to Elementary. The Director ensures AMI fidelity while advancing academic standards and measurable learning outcomes. This role leads teacher development through constant, purposeful observation and coaching, stewards curriculum coherence and level articulation, implements assessment systems that drive instruction, and partners with families and school leadership to ensure all children make strong academic progress within a Montessori framework.

Who should apply?
Ideal candidates will:

• Hold AMI Diplomas at Two Levels: Primary (3-6) and Elementary (6-12) (required).
• Have significant AMI classroom experience and prior leadership/coaching in curriculum and assessment.
• Believe in an authentic AMI experience and be comfortable contributing to a faith-based school community.
• Be skilled at constant observation, adult mentorship, department coaching, Parent Education Nights, 1:1 academic supports, and managing parent grievances related to pedagogy/learning.
• Be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Key Responsibilities (condensed)

• Program & Academic Coherence: Maintain an AMI-aligned scope & sequence and clear academic standards (literacy, math, science, social studies). Ensure prepared environments, materials, and lessons support both Montessori practice and measurable learning goals.

• Observation, Coaching & Teacher Development: Observe classrooms continually (scheduled + drop-ins), provide evidence-based coaching, lead department meetings as coaching sessions, run mentor/onboarding programs, and manage teacher evaluation cycles with the Head of School.

• Assessment & Individualized Support: Oversee formative and benchmark assessments (portfolios, observation protocols, MAP or comparable measures), analyze data to inform instruction, and coordinate specialist partnerships. Implement tiered supports and provide 1:1 student interventions.

• Family Partnership & Grievances: Support Parent Education Nights, and family conferences. Mediate and resolve parent grievances related to pedagogy/learning, and ensure thorough follow-up.

• Reporting, QA & Compliance: Standardize documentation (lesson logs, portfolios, photos/videos), conduct fidelity/environment audits, ensure timely reporting and conferencing, and maintain licensing and child-protection compliance.

• Leadership & External Relations: Partner with Head of School on staffing, strategy, accreditation, budgets for materials, and represent Aya in AMI networks and community outreach.

Qualifications & Competencies

• Required: AMI Diplomas at two levels: Primary and Elementary.

• Minimum 5+ years AMI classroom experience; prior coaching or program leadership preferred.

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred.

• Mastery of AMI pedagogy, excellent observation and feedback skills, strong interpersonal abilities, and comfort working in a diverse, faith-based setting.

• Familiarity with Transparent Classroom, Google Workspace, and documentation/photo practices.

Compensation & Benefits
Competitive salary commensurate with experience. Benefits include support for AMI professional development, staff tuition discount, and paid time off.

Application
Send a résumé and cover letter here or email to Salam Aref, Head of School & Co-Founder - [email protected] with the subject line: Program Director Application.