Principal

The next Principal of Ridgeline Montessori Public Charter School has a rare opportunity to build on a strong foundation of inspired staff, a mission-driven culture, and a supportive
community and lead with clarity, authenticity, and vision to strengthen practice and sustain growth.
Ridgeline’s Principal will join a dedicated team of experienced Montessori educators committed to educating the whole child in a joyful, purposeful learning environment. The
ideal candidate is a Montessori-aligned instructional leader who fosters trust, models empathy and compassion, and supports an environment where students and adults can thrive.
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Principal’s primary focus is instructional leadership - strengthening teaching and learning, supporting student success, and partnering with
educators to ensure high-quality Montessori practice across classrooms. In close collaboration with the Executive Director and Operations Manager, the Principal works within
a shared leadership model that supports the overall health and sustainability of the school.

The ideal candidate will bring: A deep respect for and working knowledge of Montessori philosophy, with a credential or commitment to obtain one.
Oregon TSPC Principal or Administrator License (or eligibility).
Successful teaching and leadership experience in K–8 education, preferably in a Montessori or child-centered setting.
Expertise in Special Education, neurodiversity, and equitable service delivery.
Strong instructional leadership, systems thinking, and collaborative decision-making.
Experience in balancing public education compliance with Montessori pedagogy.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Any one position may not include all of the duties listed, nor do the listed examples include all of the
tasks which may be inherent in the responsibilities of this position.
Instructional Leadership & School Improvement
● Provide leadership for curriculum, instruction, and assessment grounded in Montessori
philosophy and aligned with Oregon state standards, including guiding curriculum updates,
monitoring implementation and fidelity, and ensuring staff receive adequate training for any new
practices or materials.
● Conduct classroom observations and provide instructional feedback that strengthens teaching
and learning; collaborate with the instructional leadership team in supporting classroom practice
and staff development.
● Lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of the School Improvement Plan,
ensuring alignment with our mission, vision, core values, and strategic goals.
● Analyze student data to guide continuous improvement and ensure accountability for student
outcomes.
● Facilitate collaborative team structures—including data review cycles, shared learning, and
cross-level planning—that build instructional capacity and promote shared ownership of student
success.
● Guide and ensure coherence and consistency across Montessori developmental levels through
collaborative planning and curriculum alignment.

January 6, 2026

Student Support, Equity & School Culture
● Provide oversight to ensure equitable access to high-quality instruction and services for
students with 504 Plans, TAG identification, English language learning needs, and other
academic or behavioral support needs.
● Guide and collaborate with the Mental Health Specialist, Academic RTI Coordinator, 504
Coordinator, TAG Coordinator and special education personnel to support sustainable,
coordinated student-services systems.
● Participate in Student Support Team (SST) processes when necessary, including intervention
planning, and problem-solving with families and service providers.
● Implement and maintain a schoolwide Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) grounded in
Montessori philosophy, restorative practices, and culturally responsive approaches.
● Ensure accurate MTSS-aligned documentation, shared staff roles for Tiered supports, and
sustainable, team-based behavior response rather than reliance on a single responder.
● Lead implementation of schoolwide routines, expectations, and supervision systems that
promote well-being and effective daily operations.
● Collaborate with the Executive Director on safety procedures, emergency preparedness, and
crisis response systems.
● Serve as Ridgeline’s Title IX and Civil Rights Coordinator, ensuring compliance with federal and
state requirements and supporting nondiscrimination practices across the school.
● Advocate for equitable access to high-quality instruction and services for students with IEPs,
and represent our instructional and student support programs when partnering with district staff,
external agencies, and community organizations.
Staff Leadership, Supervision & Professional Culture
● Supervise and support instructional staff, including teachers, instructional assistants, RTI staff,
specialists (art, PE, mental health), and the Montessori Coach (if designated) ensuring clarity of
roles, expectations and professional standards.
● Implement the instructional evaluation cycle for certified staff, including academic RTI, art, PE,
and mental health specialists, and oversee the evaluation cycle for instructional assistants.
● Participate in screening and interviewing instructional staff candidates and recommend hires to
the Executive Director, in coordination with the Operations Manager who oversees publicity and
recruitment.
● Lead onboarding and early-stage staff development for instructional staff to ensure alignment
with Montessori philosophy, Ridgeline’s expectations and schoolwide practices.
● Facilitate staff meetings, collaborative planning time, and professional development aligned with
instructional priorities and school improvement goals.
● Promote distributed leadership structures that empower teacher leaders, grade-level teams, and
specialists to support instruction, MTSS systems, and culture initiatives.
● Ensure staff receive timely feedback, clear expectations, and the support necessary to meet
high professional standards.
Family & Community Partnership
● Build strong, culturally responsive partnerships with families through proactive, clear, and
accessible communication.

January 6, 2026
● Participate in the enrollment process, including school tours, family information sessions,
classroom placements, conferences, and transition meetings; support the Executive Director’s
leadership role in enrollment.
● Support family engagement opportunities that strengthen home–school relationships including
participation in school events as appropriate.
● Represent Ridgeline at school, district, and community events to support enrollment, visibility,
and community connections.
Professionalism
● Collaborate effectively with students, families, staff, and community members while working
independently and as part of a team.
● Communicate respectfully and professionally with a diverse school community, and handle
conflicts with discretion and care.
● Uphold confidentiality standards.
● Maintain required certifications, demonstrate consistent attendance and punctuality, and engage
in ongoing professional growth and collaboration.
● Demonstrate sound judgment and ethical decision-making that reflects Ridgeline’s mission,
vision, and core values.
● Adhere to all federal and state laws, district charter agreement and requirements, and Ridgeline
policies and procedures in carrying out professional responsibilities.

Ridgeline seeks a leader who embodies both heart and vision - someone who connects deeply with people while thinking strategically
about systems and sustainability.
Values-Driven and Purpose- Grounded: Anchored in Montessori
philosophy and Ridgeline’s mission, vision and core values.
Relational and Trust-Centered: Builds authentic, transparent, and
compassionate relationships.
Courageous and Clear Communicator: Engages in honest, respectful conversations; navigates conflict skillfully; and holds individuals
and systems accountable in service of student learning, staff growth, and a
healthy school culture.
Equity-Minded and Inclusive: Advocates for all learners; demonstrates
cultural humility and fluency.
Reflective and Growth-Oriented: Learns continuously and fosters
reflection in others.
Joyful and Student-Centered: Brings warmth, humor, and a genuine love of
children and learning.
Strategic and Systems-Focused: Connects vision to action and builds
sustainable structures for success.