Jobs

Position:  Upper Elementary Teacher for 2026/27 school year

Riverbend School is an innovative Toddler-8th Grade Montessori community located in Natick, MA. Our community of faculty and staff embrace teaching the whole child and commit to their own ongoing growth and development as educators and as human beings. Riverbend prides itself on its diverse and gender-inclusive staff and student population, and welcomes candidates from a variety of races, ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, gender identities, and sexual orientations.

Reports to:  Director of Elementary and Middle School

Classification:  Exempt

Supervises:  None

Scope of Work:  Classroom instruction for grades 4-6 (ages 9-12)

Experience Requirements:

• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Ability to manipulate classroom materials
• 3-5 years teaching experience
• 2 years Montessori classroom experience preferred
• Must be comfortable working in a culturally diverse environment and committed to embracing differences and valuing multiple perspectives

Education/Certification Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Clear CORI and MA fingerprinting

General Responsibilities:

Design and prepare an inviting and challenging multi-age learning environment. Prepare for the academic, organizational, and social achievement of children as well as for their safety and well being.

Specific Responsibilities:

Educational Program & Student Services:

• Demonstrate competency and/or pedagogical alignment with Montessori philosophy and methods
• Set clear expectations for academic responsibilities and class routines
• Help each child to develop a daily/weekly work plan
• Give lessons to students in groups and to individual students
• Prepare students for school events such as assemblies,Open Classroom,, Authors’ Breakfast, Montessori Model UN, 6th Grade Expert Project, etc.
• Give input on curriculum planning and implementation
• Recognize when students are not progressing as expected and communicate this to administration for collaboration and follow-up
• Follow recommendations for students with an IEP, 504 or neuropsych evaluation and insure that they have the supports in place to be successful
• Support students with individual behavioral plans
• Lead and supervise students on field trips and overnight excursions
• Train and supervise children regarding emergency practices such as fire drills

Constituent Relations:

• Build productive relationships with parents through parent education events, Parent/Teacher conferences (twice a year), additional parent meetings if concerns arise, and parent volunteer opportunities in the classroom.
• Build positive relations with community organizations to support specific classroom curriculum and service learning.

Administration:

• Prepare written progress reports for each child (twice yearly) regarding academic, organizational, developmental and social growth. Submit progress reports to administration.
• Manage and organize prospective student visits and paperwork. Work with the Director of Enrollment Management in discussing student assessment.
• Setup overnight field trips
• Maintain daily attendance in Renweb
• Work collaboratively with administration to address concerns regarding students, parents and staff
• Report all accidents/ incidents to administration and complete accident forms as needed
• Attend weekly level and faculty meetings
• Attend all mandatory events
• Perform duties related to arrival/dismissal of school
• Perform lunch/recess duties

School Culture

• Demonstrate a strong commitment to professional ethics
• Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to Montessori Education by modeling the Montessori values of grace and courtesy, respect and responsibility in visible daily actions
• Demonstrate commitment to competent communications and conflict resolution efforts across the school community
• Protect the privacy and confidentiality of each student and colleague
• Consistently give input on teacher leadership
• Assist in planning school events

Professional Development

• Attend Professional Development as provided by Riverbend School

Other

• Take on duties as assigned

It is expected that all staff will function as self-directed members in a team effort. All performances should meet appropriate professional standards and adhere to the philosophy and mission of Riverbend School.

Mobility & Engagement: Frequently moving about the campus to follow the school schedule, including ascending/descending stairs and transitioning between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Student Interaction: The ability to position oneself at a child’s level (e.g., kneeling, sitting, or crouching) and assist students with daily tasks like zipping jackets, tying shoes, or managing materials.
Supervision: Effectively monitoring students during recess and outdoor activities in various weather conditions.
Physical Assistance: Occasionally moving or lifting classroom materials or equipment weighing up to 25 lbs.
Sensory & Focus: Maintaining focus and safety in a moderately noisy environment with frequent interruptions; specific vision capabilities are required to ensure student safety and accurate record-keeping.

Accommodations: Riverbend School is committed to diversity and inclusion. We provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job, provided such accommodations do not impose an undue hardship on the school’s operations.

Commitment to DEIJ:

Riverbend School is committed to becoming an anti-bias and anti-racist community. All candidates must be committed to furthering this work by embracing differences; exploring and affirming the identities and intersections of all which include race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomics, social class, family structures, learning differences, and differences in ability. Candidates must be comfortable working in a culturally diverse environment.

We strongly encourage applications from people of color, LGBTQIA+ educators, or educators from communities that are historically underrepresented in independent schools.

EEO Statement:

Riverbend School is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment. Riverbend strictly prohibits discrimination or harassment of any kind based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic predisposition or carrier status, marital status, veteran status, or any other class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.