Teacher Leader

Teacher Leader for Montessori Micro-school in Mission Bay Area- San Francisco

About the Role

Dahlia School of San Francisco Elementary is seeking a bilingual Montessori educator and leader to guide the school through a period of growth and transition.

This is a two-phase role within a teacher-led model:

• Focus on operations, enrollment/recruitment, and family engagement, in partnership with the current lead teacher

• Transition into a full-time Teacher Leader, combining Upper Elementary (E2) classroom leadership with ongoing school leadership (Head of School–level responsibilities)

In this model, the Teacher Leader continues to oversee school operations, enrollment, and administration while teaching, and may coordinate or contract additional support to ensure sustainability.

You will partner closely with our current lead teacher—who has been central to the strength and continuity of our community—to help elevate and support the school. In Year 1, you’ll take on administrative and operational leadership while collaborating closely to strengthen systems and community. In Year 2, you’ll balance classroom teaching with continued school leadership, ensuring both the program and the broader school thrive.

About the School

Dahlia School of San Francisco Elementary is a small, community-rooted Montessori program in Mission Bay serving children in a mixed-age elementary environment. The school offers an authentic Montessori, Spanish immersion education that fosters independence, curiosity, and global-mindedness. Learning at Dahlia is holistic and child-centered, supporting students’ moral, emotional, social, and intellectual development through hands-on, self-directed work. Led by credentialed Montessori guides, classrooms take an interdisciplinary approach that encourages deep exploration, meaningful connections across subjects, and student-driven inquiry.

As part of the Wildflower Network, Dahlia is connected to a national community of teacher-led micro-schools grounded in equity, access, and authentic Montessori practice. Each Wildflower school is uniquely designed by its teachers to meet the needs of its community, while sharing a common set of guiding . Wildflower supports racially and socioeconomically diverse communities, fosters strong family partnerships, and provides tools and resources to help each micro-school grow and thrive. Located in the vibrant Mission Bay neighborhood, Dahlia extends learning beyond the classroom through engagement with parks, community spaces, and the natural environment.

Key Responsibilities

Year 1 (0.5 FTE):

Year 1: Operations & Administrative Leadership

• Manage core administrative functions including scheduling, staff coordination, tuition/invoicing, compliance, and communications

• Provide financial oversight, including budgeting, tracking performance, and working with bookkeeping and Wildflower finance supports

• Lead enrollment and admissions, strengthening outreach and maintaining a healthy enrollment pipeline

• Build strong, trust-based relationships with families and communicate clearly about school direction

• Document and streamline operational systems to support a future teacher-led model

• Partner with the Board to clarify governance roles and support the transition away from operational involvement

Year 2+: Teacher-Leader (E2 + School Leadership)

In Year 2, you will step into a full-time Teacher-Leader role, combining classroom teaching with ongoing responsibility for the health and operations of the school.

Classroom Leadership (approx. 60–70%)

• Lead a Montessori Upper Elementary (E2) classroom

• Design and guide student-centered, interdisciplinary learning

• Support student growth academically, socially, and emotionally

• Partner closely with families around student development

School Leadership & Operations (approx. 30–40%)

• Oversee core school operations, including enrollment, scheduling, and communications

• Continue to guide enrollment and family engagement to support a healthy school community

• Maintain and refine systems, budget awareness, and administrative practices

• Partner with the Board and Wildflower supports on strategic direction

• Identify, hire, or coordinate additional operational support (e.g., part-time admin or contractor) as needed to ensure sustainability

Qualifications

• 3+ years of teaching experience preferred (Montessori or elementary strongly valued)

• Familiarity with the Montessori model

• Strong communication, organization, and relationship-building skills

• Experience in school leadership and operations

Preferred:

• Bilingual (Spanish strongly preferred)

• Montessori training (AMI, AMS, or equivalent) preferred or willingness to pursue certification

• Experience with enrollment, admissions, or community outreach

• Familiarity working in private school settings

Who You Are

• Deeply committed to authentic Montessori practice and whole-child learning

• An entrepreneurial leader who is flexible, resourceful, and energized by building and problem-solving

• Passionate about serving diverse communities and expanding equitable access to Montessori education

• Grounded in generosity, humility, and collaboration, with a desire to work in a non-hierarchical, teacher-led environment

• Ready to work hard and take ownership, with a strong sense of responsibility for the health of the school

• Eager to learn, grow, and stretch, both personally and professionally

Compensation & Details

• Year 1: 0.5 FTE $79,500

• Year 2+: Full-time transition $159,000

• This is a benefits eligible position

How to Apply

Please submit your resume and a brief statement of interest to hiring@dahliaschoolsf.org

Pay: $79,500.00 - $159,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person