Primary Guide (Ages 5–7) – Spark Studio

Overview

Primary Guide (Ages 5–7) – Spark Studio

A Montessori-based, learner-driven classroom for ages 5–7

About the Role

Acton Academy Lake Oswego is a Christian school opening our first Spark Studio for ages 5 to 7 in Fall 2026. We are seeking a full-time Primary Guide (or “Spark Guide”) who loves young children, believes they are far more capable than most people assume, and wants to help build something meaningful from the ground up

Spark Studio blends the prepared environment and respect for the child found in Montessori with Acton’s culture of ownership, accountability, and Socratic reasoning. Children move between meaningful work, outdoor exploration, collaborative games, creative projects, and fun challenges that stretch their thinking.

Our goal is to help young learners grow into confident, capable heroes who are ready for the Discovery Studio.

This is not a traditional teaching role.

You will guide rather than instruct, ask questions rather than give answers, and support children as they learn to take responsibility for themselves and their work. You will help establish simple routines, maintain a beautiful and organized environment, and create a culture of kindness, curiosity, and ownership.

We are hoping for an August 2026 start so we can use the month prior for onboarding, training, and building the studio together before learners arrive in early September.

If you value independence, creativity, and meaningful work with young children, and feel energized by helping build a new school community, we would love to meet you.

What You Will Do

The environment

• Prepare and maintain a calm, beautiful, well-ordered studio rooted in Montessori principles
• Protect extended, uninterrupted work cycles that allow for deep concentration
• Make space for hands-on projects and outdoor play throughout the day

Guiding learning

• Observe learners closely and respond with intentional presentations and questions
• Offer clear, thoughtful presentations and step back to allow for independent work
• Guide early literacy and math through Montessori materials while supporting learners in taking ownership of their progress
• Ask thoughtful questions that build reflection and responsibility

Studio culture

• Model grace, independence, respect, and healthy conflict resolution
• Lead daily Socratic launches and discussion circles that build critical thinking, moral reasoning, and studio culture
• Support moments of gratitude or prayer within our Christian school community

Ownership and collaboration

• Facilitate collaborative work, games, and short challenges that build teamwork and problem solving
• Introduce simple systems (badges, visual trackers) that support ownership and make progress visible over time

Communication and founding work

• Communicate clearly and respectfully with families
• Help shape studio systems, traditions, and culture during our founding year
• Participate in onboarding and ongoing professional development

Who You Are

• You genuinely love working with young children
• You feel comfortable in a Christian school environment
• You believe children can do hard things
• You are calm, observant, and patient
• You prefer asking questions over giving directions
• You value independence, responsibility, and character development
• You are excited by play, creative expression, outdoor time, hands-on learning, and purposeful skill building
• You are energized by helping build something new

Qualifications

• Montessori credential (AMS, AMI, or MACTE-accredited) strongly preferred; candidates currently in training are also encouraged to apply
• Experience working with children ages 5 to 7
• Comfort with Positive Discipline approach is a strong plus
• Strong understanding of the prepared environment and child development principles
• Ability to guide early reading, writing, and math with hands-on, materials-based learning
• Organized, observant, and consistent with routines
• Excited about working in a hybrid Montessori / learner-driven model
• Must pass a background check

Compensation

• Salary range: $45,000 to $55,000, depending on experience
• Annual performance bonus based on studio outcomes and family partnership
• Paid time off aligned with the school calendar, including Christmas break and standard school-year holidays
• Training and professional development in the Acton model
• Founding-year leadership and growth potential

About Acton Academy Lake Oswego

Our mission is to help children discover their calling, develop independence and character, and build a deep love for learning.

How to Get Started

Instead of a traditional application, we ask all interested candidates to begin with a short screening questionnaire. It takes about 10 minutes and helps us understand how you think about young children and learning.

Start here: https://form.jotform.com/Indi_Hampton/spark-guide-screening   

We’ll review responses thoughtfully and reach out if it feels like a strong fit to move forward.