Environmental & Physical Education Guide

Job Opportunity: Environmental & Physical Education Guide
Location: Washington DC
Department: Academics
Application Deadline: Until filled
Employment Type: Full-time
Expected Start Date of Position: August 10 2026
Reports to: Principal
Compensation: Salary starts at $59995 - $81156 and will be commensurate with degree and years of experience
FLSA Status: Exempt

About Breakthrough Montessori Public Charter School

Breakthrough Montessori Public Charter Schools mission is to provide diverse families in Washington DC a public Montessori education designed to enable children to develop within themselves the power to shape their lives and the world around them.

Founded in 2016 Breakthrough Montessori is a public charter school in Washington DC. We will serve 388 students in PK3 through grade 6. At Breakthrough Montessori PCS we believe in the unbounded potential of all children. Students of all races classes genders sexual orientations abilities and backgrounds deserve a personalized education.

Our school is grounded in an institutional commitment to development prevention and community. We support humandevelopment through an uncompromising application of the time-tested Montessori instructional model. We support prevention through early learning support and intervention enabling us to quickly and effectively address learning challenges. Finally we support the community through an intensive approach to family engagement.

Breakthrough Montessori PCS is committed to equity in all areas of our schools work. We are a supportive environment that seeks to employ a diverse staff reflective of all genders races ethnicities religions sexual orientations and backgrounds.

Breakthrough Montessori PCS is a coaching school; all team members receive and give coaching to support professional growth.

Position Summary:

The Environmental & Physical Education Guide implements Breakthrough Montessoris environmental education school gardening and physical education programs for students in grades PK36. They are responsible for planning and teaching lessons in accordance with DC Science Standards the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Educations (OSSE) physical education standards and the developmental needs of the students.

The Guide is also responsible for supporting and implementing the vision of the Principal through effective curriculum design cross-curricular collaboration and stewardship of the schools outdoor learning environment and conservation infrastructure. This role ensures that environmental education and physical education align with Montessori values meet DC Healthy Schools Act requirements and foster strong communication with staff families and community partners.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

The Environmental & Physical Education Guide is a 10-month position. Working hours are MondayFriday 10:45am6:45pm.

Responsibilities include the following:

Curriculum Instruction & Physical Education

• Plan develop and deliver engaging environmental education and gardening lessons for students in grades PK36 with intentional connections to nature and the scientific world.
• Align lesson content with DC Science Standards (with emphasis on Earth Sciences & Human Activity Weather & Climate Earths Place in the Universe Ecosystems the Solar System and Energy) the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) the Montessori Scope & Sequence and Common Core State Standards as applicable to science literacy and observation.
• Plan and facilitate standards-based physical education instruction that meets DC Healthy Schools Amendment Act (2018) minimum requirements: 90 minutes per week for grades K5 and 135 minutes per week for grade 6.
• For Pre-Kindergarten 3 and Pre-Kindergarten 4 students support an average of 60 minutes per day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) including at least two 20-minute sessions of outdoor physical activity in collaboration with Childrens House Guides.
• Ensure at least 50% of physical education instruction time is devoted to moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per DC Healthy Schools Act requirements and address the five OSSE PE standard strands (motor skills movement concepts health-enhancing fitness personal and social behavior and value of physical activity).
• Design differentiated curriculum that meets individualized student needs including accommodations and modifications for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) Section 504 plans and diverse learning needs.
• Support and facilitate Montessori Going Outs in Elementary classes centered on Environmental Education and Science.
• During inclement weather or indoor recess facilitate in-class movement activities that require minimal space (e.g. yoga sequences jumping and hopping patterns body-weight exercises movement games) while maintaining alignment with OSSE PE standards.
• Maintain a consistent lesson planning cycle; document plans and outcomes using Transparent Classroom and other school-designated platforms.

Learning Environment & Materials Management

• Organize maintain and replenish lesson spaces and instructional materials for environmental education; the majority of lessons occur in small groups and outdoors.
• Collaborate with the Operations Team and classroom Guides to steward the schools conservation infrastructure including school garden maintenance and seasonal planting cycles composting and recycling programs the rainwater catchment system the insect hotel and the watershed system.
• Manage transitions between indoor and outdoor learning environments with appropriate safety protocols; plan indoor alternatives for inclement weather.
• Order and manage inventory of materials ensuring items are available in advance of scheduled lessons and seasonal activities.

Collaboration Community & Family Engagement

• Collaborate with the Principal and Montessori Coaches to create and maintain a schedule that ensures equitable student access to environmental education and physical education.
• Attend and actively participate in weekly all-staff faculty meetings professional development sessions biweekly level meetings and relevant Child Study Meetings to support individualized student planning.
• Contribute to cross-curricular planning with classroom Guides ensuring environmental education and PE content reinforce and extend classroom learning.
• Uphold Breakthroughs grace-and-courtesy practices and community standards during all lessons transitions and outdoor activities; observe and manage student behavior in alignment with the schools Montessori approach partnering with classroom Guides and school leadership on students who need additional support.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships within the DC urban gardening and school garden community to enrich programming and source resources.
• Communicate regularly and effectively with students families classroom Guides and school leadership regarding student progress curriculum updates and environmental education programming through newsletters phone calls and other communications as directed by Coaches and administration.
• Attend and contribute to school events outside regular school hours (including Teacher-Parent Conferences and Lesson Share Days) and provide a spirit of hospitality at school gatherings public events and ongoing family engagement events.

Assessment Documentation & Additional Responsibilities

• In collaboration with classroom Guides and Montessori Coaches plan monitor and evaluate student development and learning outcomes using observational data gathered during lessons Transparent Classroom documentation and formative and summative assessment data as appropriate.
• Use data to inform lesson planning curriculum adjustments and differentiation for diverse learners.
• Maintain accurate records of behavior incidents and minor injury reports per school protocol.
• Contribute to the schools compliance with Healthy Schools Act reporting requirements including the annual OSSE School Health Profile submission.
• Contribute to schoolwide events and initiatives such as Field Day Earth Day and cross-grade projects and perform other duties as assigned by the Principal or school leadership team to support the mission and smooth operation of the school.
  
  

Required Competencies and Qualifications:

• Have a firm commitment to upholding the schools mission and anti-bias/anti-racist pedagogy.
• Commitment to upholding the confidentiality of students and parents.
• Proven ability to work as a member of a diverse team of educators .
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build meaningful relationships.
• Excellent verbal and written skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Openness to feedback desire to continue development as a professional and willingness to take responsibility for student outcomes.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelors degree required.
• Experience working with diverse populations of students parents and families.
• Experience managing aftercare or enrichment programs.
• Montessori experience preferred. Without previous Montessori experience demonstrate an eagerness to learn about the method and support its implementation.

Benefits:

We provide employees with a robust leave policy that includes:

• Paid personal time off
• Paid COVID sick leave
• Paid family leave (in addition to DC paid family leave)
• Paid bereavement leave
• Paid leave for the observation of a religious holiday

Breakthrough invests heavily in the professional development (PD) of our faculty through:

• An individual professional development budget of $250/year to pursue additional PD opportunities;
• Conference participation and
• A Continuing Education grant program that provides grantees up to $20000 to complete Montessori teacher training an advanced degree or other license.

Other benefits include:

• Health dental vision (Carefirst Blue Cross)
• Retirement (Vanguard Retirement)
• AFLAC
  
• Long-term disability
  

For information on Breakthrough Montessori PCS including more information on employee benefits and our company culture visit our website at .

Breakthrough Montessori PCS is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion age sex national origin disability status genetics protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws.

Required Experience:

Senior IC