The Montessori Public Policy Initiative (MPPI) represents a collaborative effort of the Association Montessori Internationale/USA (AMI/USA) and the American Montessori Society (AMS). MPPI is dedicated to providing resources and support to advocates at the state and federal levels on policy issues that impact the Montessori community.

The mission of the MPPI is to promote policies to protect authentic Montessori implementation. MPPI's vision statement is for a policy landscape that ensures children of all ages an access to authentic Montessori education.

The scope of the initial work of the Executive Director is exceptionally broad and encompasses those skills required when building the airplane while flying at 40,000 feet. Concrete but complicated tasks such as creating a legal entity, establishing policy and protocol, formalizing partnerships, hiring staff, budgeting, reports, etc. will compete for time and attention with the very real and urgent needs of the states’ advocacy work.

Developing QRIS programs are or could be open to influence from the Montessori community; licensing issues continue to present perpetual challenges to authentic Montessori implementation; as federal oversight and focus on early childhood increases, new interest in K-12 education abounds; public Montessori programs will continue to need support with challenges of implementation of authentic Montessori practice.  The Executive Director may need to take active roles in these or other areas that directly affect Montessori implementation. The Executive Director will have to balance a great deal between developing the organization, building partnerships, and supporting state work.

The ideal Executive Director will have training, experience, and or familiarity with the following:

●      Fluent in Montessori principles and pedagogy

●      Communications (speaking, adult education, writing, social media)

●      Organization development and/or grassroots organizing

●      Legislative advocacy (legislation review, development, lobbying, etc.)

●      Montessori as it relates to issues with licensing, QRIS, K-12 regulations, teacher credentials, testing, curriculum, etc.

●      Non-profit membership organizations and operations

●      Governance

●      Collaboration (being collaborative, guiding collaboration, coalition building)

●      Fundraising

●      Grant-writing

●      Systems thinking

●      Marketing

●      Education research (conducting, analyzing, applying, etc.)

●      Data management

●      Budgeting

●      Supervision

●      Software savvy

●      Willingness to travel to assorted conferences (AMS, AMI/USA, MACTE, ASCD, BUILD, etc.) and states as needed

●      Advanced degree(s) in education, public policy, leadership, or related field

●      Familiarity with Early Childhood or K-12 education

Applications need to be completed through SmartRecruiters by April 15, 2018. Completed applications include a cover letter and resume. No phone calls, please.

Location of offices: TBD

The position will begin on July 1, 2019.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.