Year-Round Ecology Educator and Schoolyard Gardener

Charlottesville, Va

Mountaintop Montessori  

Beginning August 2026

Mountaintop Montessori has an opening for a year-round, full-time, benefit-eligible co-curricular teacher in one of our most beloved programs. The person in this position oversees the Summer SEED Camp, the school year Ecology program, and the schoolyard gardens and animals. This is a hands-on position in which the educator works in the schoolyard garden to create educational opportunities for the students. This position works closely with the garden-to-table cooking instructor. Our school has a well-established vegetable and fruit garden, chicken coop, and fruit trees on a 9-acre campus. We are looking for a passionate, knowledgeable, and creative teacher who will continue to inspire our students to be responsible stewards of the planet.

Our school fosters a highly collaborative teaching environment among the Montessori credentialed teachers and our co-curricular faculty. We envision children who live with enduring curiosity, joy, and responsibility. A community where each member is cherished and challenged. A world enriched by these young leaders, creators, problem-solvers, and peace-makers.

This position is scheduled to work year-round, Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4:00 pm, with some meetings and occasional work outside of this schedule. Hours include time to work on the garden/manage chickens and rabbits, lesson prep, and provide instruction to students.

Mountaintop offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision benefits, short- and long-term disability, and life insurance. The position includes paid time off and 2 weeks of vacation.

Preparation & Maintenance

• The Educator works hands-on in the schoolyard garden and creates outdoor classrooms with the necessary plants, tools, and educational opportunities for ecology lessons.

• The Educator organizes and implements the planting and maintenance of crops in the schoolyard garden, which are used in the Garden to Table cooking program and in summer SEED Camp.

• The Educator works with the Middle School Coordinator to implement permaculture program elements such as the orchard and apiary.

• The Educator is responsible for caring for the chickens, bunnies, and other animals, and for maintaining their living environment.

• The Educator is familiar with the school’s safety protocols and implements these in the garden/outdoor experience design for children.

• Curriculum Development/Lesson Planning; Preparation

• The Educator is the lead instructor for the SEED (Summer of Ecological Exploration and Discovery) Camp program, which involves preparing classroom materials, maintaining and using the garden during the summer months, planning and scheduling daily activities, managing and mentoring camp assistants, and organizing field trips to natural and educational sites.

• The Educator will also work with the Director of Camps and Afterschool programs to help promote the SEED Program.

• The Educator develops and implements an ecology-based, outdoor, and experiential curriculum for Kindergarten through 6th-grade students that aligns with Montessori pedagogy.

• The Educator coordinates with the Middle School Educators to deliver the permaculture program, including mentoring permaculture student managers, organizing and co-planning the annual plant sale, and coordinating with the science and permaculture Educator to support learning objectives.

• The Educator creates opportunities for students to conduct research, implement projects, take field trips, and work with local experts to deepen their knowledge and skill sets in the environmental field.

• The Educator creates a week-long, intensive program for Middle School Students to provide an immersive experience related to the curriculum.

• The Educator will chaperone the 3-day-long Middle School camping trip at the start of the school year and may be asked to join other trips as needed.

Instruction

• The Educator prepares daily lessons and activities for classes from Kindergarten through 6th grade.

• The Educator delivers curricular instruction aligned with Mountaintop’s Ecology curriculum.

Communication/Collaboration/Professional Community

• The Educator reports to the Director of Camps and Afterschool programs

• The Educator coordinates with the Garden to Table Guide to ensure that the garden yields sufficient fresh products for the cooking program.

• The Educator collaborates with the facilities staff member when repairs are needed.

• The Educator highlights the program for parents on a rotating basis with other co-curricular Educators via posts to Parent Square.

• The Educator attends staff, planning, and collaborative meetings as described in the contract.

Qualifications

• Willingness to engage in, and a love of, hands-on gardening work

• Degree in ecology, field biology, education, or related field

• Preferred minimum of 3 years managing a productive garden

• Preferred minimum of 3 years of experience working with children in outdoor settings such as summer camps, school gardens, etc.

• Familiarity with Montessori principles or willingness to learn

• Ability to complete general computer-based tasks such as word processing, email, and online collaboration (via Google Docs), etc.

• Must clear a criminal background check

Pay: $50,000 - $60,000.00 per year (based on education and experience), plus a comprehensive benefits package

Note: Position is FLSA exempt

Please send a cover letter and resume to Mary Reitsma, Director of Camps and Afterschool Programs at mreitsma@mountaintopmontessori.org. Applications will be reviewed as received.

Mountaintop is committed to offering equal opportunities in all of its enrollment and employment practices. Mountaintop does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, family makeup, marital status, age, socio-economic level, disability, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, learning style, or any other protected category. Mountaintop is committed to ensuring that non-discrimination applies to all areas of enrollment and employment.