Thinking About a Career as a Montessori Teacher? Start Here.

Montessori teacher working with students in the caregiver program.

Maybe you’ve always known you’re meant to work with children.

Maybe there’s something about watching confidence grow - academically, emotionally, socially - that feels deeply meaningful to you.

Maybe you’ve been in education… or adjacent to it… and quietly wondered:

Is there a place where this work feels more aligned?

At Sandwich Montessori School, many of our Montessori teachers didn’t start out thinking, I’m going to be a Montessori educator.

What they felt first was something deeper - a pull toward meaningful work with children.

If you’re exploring whether Montessori could be the right path for you, here’s what our teachers’ journeys reveal at Sandwich Montessori School.

It Often Starts with a Feeling

Jeanine originally became a state-certified elementary teacher. But during student teaching, she realized something didn’t sit right.

“I remember thinking, ‘I can’t do this for 30 years.’”

She didn’t want to leave education. She just knew she needed a different environment.

Then she walked into a small Montessori classroom for the first time.

“It was calm. Organized. Welcoming. I went home and researched Montessori. Then I went to the principal and said, ‘Here’s my resume. I want to be your teacher.’”

That decision led to 15 years in Montessori classrooms - and her own children attending Montessori as well.

Sarena (SMS Teaching Partner, ages 2.9 - 6) didn’t come from traditional education at all. She left a tech career before joining SMS.

What drew her in?

“The respect of the child and freedom within limits. Children are so capable.”

For some, it’s a classroom visit.
For others, it’s a career pivot.
For many, it’s simply recognizing that being around children - guiding them, supporting them - feels meaningful.

What Keeps Them Here

Ask our teachers what they love most, and you won’t hear scripted answers.

You’ll hear stories.

Amanda (SMS Teacher Leader, ages 0 - 3) speaks about guiding not only students, but teachers and families - helping everyone grow into their best selves.

Isabella (SMS Teaching Partner, ages 0 - 3) remembers being amazed by toddlers confidently setting their own places at the table. “So careful and confident,” she says.

Jasmine (SMS Teaching Partner, ages 2.9 - 5) talks about watching young children navigate conflict with kindness and emotional regulation. “It blows my mind every single time.”

Sarabeth (SMS Lead Teacher, ages 2.9 - 6) appreciates that SMS is “constantly striving to serve the children in our care in the best possible way,” with professional development that supports growth.

Monika (SMS Lead Teacher, ages 2.9 - 6) values watching children grow through the full three-year cycle - seeing transformation over time.

And over and over again, one theme surfaces:

Growth. For the children, for the teachers, and for the community.

Why They Chose This Work

There are many paths that lead teachers to Sandwich Montessori School - but what keeps them here is simple: the work matters.

They choose this work because they believe children deserve dignity. Because they want to guide rather than control. Because they value building real relationships over years - not just months.

As Jeanine once shared, Montessori offers a “built-in sense of fulfillment.” You don’t rush children through a system; you journey with them. And along the way, they surprise you constantly.

If you feel energized by being around children, value independence and long-term relationships, and want to continue growing professionally rather than plateauing, this path may be worth exploring. Curiosity and a willingness to keep learning are often where it begins.

Is Sandwich Montessori School the Right Fit for You?

A career at SMS isn’t just about credentials - though education and training are certainly valuable. It’s about disposition: curiosity, patience, humility, and a deep respect for children. Those qualities shape the culture of our classrooms far more than any single résumé line.

Our teachers arrived here in different ways. Some came through traditional education programs. Others found us through an online search, by driving past the school, or after changing careers entirely. What they share is a desire to do meaningful work in a community that supports growth. If you’ve been wondering whether there’s a version of education that feels more aligned, this might be the moment to explore that question.

What Exploration Could Look Like

You don’t have to commit to anything tomorrow. Start by visiting a classroom, asking questions, or reaching out to learn more about Montessori training pathways. Have a conversation with someone on our team. Sometimes clarity comes simply from being close to the work and seeing it for yourself.