Montessori ESE Specialist: Resource & Inclusion (PreK-2nd Grade) in Lakeland, Florida at MI ESCUELA MONTESSORI INC

Location: Mi Escuela Montessori | Polk County, FL

Language Requirement: Fluent in English (Bilingual Spanish/English preferred)

Training: Montessori Trained OR Willingness to Train (Primary or Elementary)

Mi Escuela Montessori is seeking an ESE Specialist who thrives at the intersection of Resource (targeted support) and Inclusion (in-classroom support). This role is designed for a teacher who believes with scaffolds and supports, most children can be served in the Montessori environment.

You will manage a caseload of learners from PreK through 2nd Grade, ensuring their IEP goals are met through a combination of specialized pull-out sessions and side-by-side support within the Montessori environment. You will serve as the primary liaison between the school and outside specialists and will supervise a dedicated ESE Paraprofessional to ensure high-quality support is delivered across all classrooms.

• The Inclusion Model: Work directly within the Montessori classrooms to adapt lessons and materials in real-time, ensuring students with disabilities can participate fully in a specially prepared environment.

• Team Supervision: Manage and mentor an ESE Paraprofessional. You will provide daily direction, schedule their support across classrooms, and ensure they are effectively implementing accommodations and behavioral supports.

• Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Serve as the point of contact for Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs), OTs, and PTs. Coordinate twith them on scheduling and ensure their therapeutic strategies are integrated into the child’s daily Montessori work.

• IEP Leadership: Write, implement, and monitor high-quality IEPs. Facilitate IEP meetings with a focus on family engagement and child-centered goals.

• Resource Support: Provide targeted, small-group intervention for students requiring intensive academic or behavioral support outside of the main classroom flow in a morning work cycle.

• Guided Mentorship: Assist classroom Guides (teachers) in understanding neurodiversity and implementing accommodations that maintain the integrity of the Montessori environment, and assist them in the process of supporting students in MTSS and record keeping.

Required:

• Certification: Florida Professional Educator Certificate in Exceptional Student Education (ESE) K-12 (or ability to obtain)

• Leadership Ability: Proven ability to supervise, schedule, and mentor support staff (Paraprofessionals).

• Language: Full professional fluency in English.

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education or a related field.

Preferred:

• Bilingualism: Proficiency in Spanish to support our dual-language families.

• Montessori Training: MACTE-accredited training in Primary (3–6) or Elementary (6–9) (or a willingness to complete school-sponsored training).

• Collaborative Ecosystem: Work as part of a team that includes the Director of Education, Instructional Coaches, and specialized therapists.

• Sponsored Training: Access to subsidized Montessori certification through our on-site MACTE-accredited training center.

• New Facility: Join us in our brand-new, state-of-the-art building for the 2026-2027 school year, featuring dedicated therapy and resource spaces.