Founding Teacher Leader

Are you a dedicated educator who dreams of having more autonomy and creative freedom to foster a vibrant, child-centered learning environment within your classroom? DC Wildflower PCS (DCWPCS) invites you to reimagine the possibilities through its teacher-led tuition free microschool model. We’re seeking passionate and entrepreneurial educators to join us in founding your own microschool site where you’ll lead at the front of the classroom and behind the scenes too.

Whether you're already Montessori-trained or aspiring to be, this is a great opportunity to make a lasting impact on your local community and create a classroom where you, your students, and their families truly thrive. Currently there are two microschools operating within DC Wildflower PCS: The Riverseed School (in Ward 7) & blue montessori (in Ward 8).

We expect educators will create additional microschools in Wards 4, 5, 7 & 8 over the next three years. The Opportunity: As a Teacher Leader, you’ll have the opportunity to bring your school vision to life and receive access to support and resources throughout your School Startup Journey - from school planning, opening, and beyond.

You’ll have the flexibility to provide instruction and lead day-to-day school operations, offering a unique blend of teaching and leadership. This role provides the autonomy to shape the educational experiences offered within your school and local community, ensuring a nurturing, responsive, and effective learning environment.

You’ll also have the support of a robust network dedicated to your professional growth and leadership development. The School Startup Journey typically spans 12-18 months, involving phases where you define your school’s vision, secure a facility, and obtain funding in partnership with the DC charter team. About DC Wildflower PCS: The mission of DC Wildflower Public Charter School is to serve a larger, universal purpose in eliminating racial and social discrimination and hierarchy – and offer an intimate liberatory educational experience.

We believe intentionally small, community embedded, teacher-led Montessori learning environments will accelerate the journey for students of the global majority to be and feel safe, seen and heard. DCWPCS is where students’ identities are affirmed and their genius unleashed! Each Wildflower school is small in scale, serving 1-2 classrooms of mixed-age students, and focuses on personalized learning and community involvement.

DCWPCS is a member of the Wildflower Schools Network, a national network of over 60 decentralized, teacher-led microschools that provides an intimate and community-driven alternative to traditional education models. All members operate authentic Montessori schools, serving toddler to adolescent students, emphasizing teacher autonomy, hands-on learning, and respect for each child's unique developmental pace.

Wildflower Schools seeks to create environments where all children can flourish academically, socially, and emotionally.

What We Offer

Flexibility : Serve as a teacher and leader of your school, and tailor the learning experience to meet your community’s needs. Impact : Directly influence the educational and personal growth of your students. Bring Montessori pedagogy, for free, to communities that historically have not had access. Innovation : Be at the forefront of redefining public pedagogy by embracing Montessori’s principles of child independence within scaffolded limits, and small-scale growth of a charter network.

Support : Access to a community of mentors, ongoing professional development, and administrative resources. Access to Montessori credential training: Grants, like the Black Wildflowers Fund , are available in select states for aspiring Montessori teachers to support your pursuit of Montessori certification. Who Should Express Interest: Seasoned and licensed educators who are already Montessori-trained OR interested in undergoing Montessori training aligned with Wildflower Schools values, community norms, and principles , and looking for a blended teaching and leadership role within Washington, DC (Wards 4, 5, 7 & 8. Express Interest: To express interest or have someone reach out to answer your questions, please fill out this form and submit your resume on our Gusto platform. Salary $95,000 - $120,000 per year