The school mission is to create an authentic and equitably-accessed Montessori early learning community in the Binghamton, NY region. At Meadowsweet Montessori, we are committed to nurturing the holistic growth of each child—mind, body, and spirit—in alignment with their natural stages of development. Through a thoughtfully prepared environment and a supportive community, we foster a lifelong love of learning for our children, caregivers, and educators alike. Our mission is to cultivate a space where curiosity flourishes, individuality is celebrated, and each member of our community grows together in harmony with the rhythms of nature.
Meadowsweet Montessori is an emerging child care program planning to become a member of the Wildflower Foundation network of teacher-led micro-schools.Â
At Wildflower Schools we are working to create beautiful learning environments that support children, teachers, and families as they follow life’s unfolding journey. Our aim is to serve racially and socioeconomically diverse communities with exceptional Montessori education, to support and work with families through parent engagement, to build community across racial and socioeconomic lines, and to support local communities through access to Montessori early childhood education. We nurture the development of new Wildflower micro-schools and provide essential tools, supports, and resources to schools as they grow.
Each Wildflower school is unique: designed and led by the teachers who bring their training and life experience, along with a deep commitment to meeting the specific needs of their children and families. Embedded within this beautiful diversity of experiences and perspectives, there are nine principles that unite our schools: Montessori, Teacher Led, Equity, Shopfront, Lab, Home, Beauty, Nature, and Network.
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Heather Frost of Meadowsweet Montessori, an emerging Wildflower School, is working on founding a Montessori Primary and Toddler program in the Binghamton, NY area. Meadowsweet Montessori is seeking a Montessori 0-3 Guide OR 3 - 6 Guide OR applicant with administrative experience with an interested in Montessori training, who would co-found and co-lead the school. The target school opening date is anticipated for Fall of 2025.
Essential ResponsibilitiesÂ
In collaboration with the school’s Co-Leader, the responsibilities of the role include, but are not limited to:
As a Co-Founder:
- Create a Wildflower school in the Greater Binghamton, NY community rooted in authentic and enduring relationships with children, families, stakeholders, and community members
- Participate in the facilities process and renovation for a school site
- Design a school website and marketing plan
- Engage with the community in community conversations, outreach, and recruitment efforts
- Hire and onboard staff
- Willingness to learn and grow new skills as needed to take on Roles and Responsibilities as a partner
As a Lead Guide:
- Leads an enriching and liberatory Montessori Toddler environment (or co-leads a Primary environment) that lives into the school mission and vision, the community’s needs, and New York State Licencing Regulations
- Supports all learners by employing inclusive, anti-racist teaching practices
- Supports families in adopting aligned practices at home, as desiredÂ
 As a Teacher Leader:
- Leads with cultural humility and actively works to disrupt oppressive systems and practices
- Operates in alignment with sound human resource and compliance practices
- Utilizes leadership and administrative skills to operate and communicate with transparency to all stakeholders, including the school’s Board of Directors
- Plans and leads staff professional development and family engagement programming
- Manages inclusive admissions and enrollment processes
- Bachelor’s degree
- Montessori Assistants to Infancy Credential OR Montessori Primary Certification OR Enrolled in a Montessori Training Program
- Experience as a Montessori Lead Guide (Preferred but not Mandatory)
- Would Consider an Applicant with Administrative Experience and Interest in Enrolling in a Montessori Training Program
- Minimum Education Level: Highschool Graduate or GED
- Preferred Education Level: Master's Degree
If you would like to explore co-founding a Wildflower school in the Greater Binghamton, NY area, please first email Heather Frost at heather@meadowsweetmontessori.org and then complete the Discovery Materials/Self Reflection and Google Form to indicate your interest (you will be asked to upload your Self Reflection and resume). Members of the Global Majority are strongly encouraged to inquire.
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Preferred Attitudes, Knowledge, and SkillsÂ
A deep commitment to authentic Montessori - Your expertise will position you to be a highly effective facilitator of children’s learning and to extend the values of Montessori to include the adults within your school community.
Entrepreneurial leadership - Your default mode is “yes.†You are flexible, open-minded, see opportunity in obstacles, and are energized by using creativity and resourcefulness to create solutions to problems.
Commitment to serving diverse and multifaceted communities - You are eager to increase access to Montessori to racially and socioeconomically diverse communities and are deeply committed to supporting the development of intersectional communities.Â
Generosity of spirit - You live with kindness, work gently with others, practice gratitude, and lead with love. You seek advice openly and are comfortable working in a non-hierarchical organization.
Willingness to work hard - You have the aptitude, stamina, time, and appetite to raise yourself to the challenge of starting and leading your own school. You will not be alone, but you will be busy.
A desire to learn and grow - You are eager to stretch beyond your current experience, to develop new skills and expertise and to more deeply explore your purpose and potential.Â
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