Staff Opening: Principal

Principal
Beginning July 2026

About GSCM
The Good Shepherd Catholic Montessori (GSCM) is located in the Madison Place neighborhood of Columbia Township, Ohio, on a 13-acre campus. Serving over 200 students from Preschool through 8th Grade, GSCM provides an education that is both deeply Catholic and authentically Montessori. Our mission is simple: Always Catholic. Authentically Montessori. Helping children grow in wisdom, age, and grace. We are the only school in the area to offer both a fully implemented Montessori program and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS), integrating faith formation into the daily life of the child. With approximately 50 dedicated faculty and staff members, GSCM fosters a collaborative professional culture within a supportive and engaged school community.

Position Overview
GSCM is seeking a Principal to begin in July 2026. If you thrive in supporting others and enjoy working as part of a collaborative team, this position may be an excellent fit.

The Principal serves as the spiritual, academic, and operational leader of the school, responsible for advancing its Catholic mission and Montessori identity. This leader fosters a vibrant culture of faith, intellectual curiosity, and human formation, ensuring excellence in teaching and learning while building a unified, mission-driven faculty.

The Principal works in close partnership with the Executive Director and is charged with the day-to-day leadership of the school, including faculty development, student life, curriculum implementation, and community engagement.

The ideal candidate will possess a strong, active, and vibrant Catholic faith life, fully aligned with the teachings of the Catholic Church. Prior Montessori experience is preferred; however, candidates without Montessori experience will also be considered. Candidates should be willing to learn and support the Montessori method.

Mission Alignment
The Principal must actively witness to and promote the teachings of the Catholic Church while faithfully implementing the Montessori philosophy. Practically, the Principal:

• Models a deep, lived commitment to the Catholic faith
• Promotes a culture of virtue, reverence, and service
• Ensures integration of faith and learning across all subject areas

Work Environment
The principal maintains a consistent presence throughout the school day, building relationships and remaining actively engaged with students, staff, and families. This role includes participation in school events, liturgies, and community gatherings, as well as occasional evening and weekend responsibilities to support the life of the school community. 

Key Responsibilities

Spiritual & Cultural Leadership 

• Foster a strong Catholic identity rooted in prayer, sacraments, and virtue formation
• Collaborate with clergy to support liturgical life and sacramental preparation
• Build a joyful, respectful, and orderly school culture aligned with Montessori principles

Academic & Montessori Leadership

• Ensure fidelity to authentic Montessori practice across all levels
• Lead curriculum development that integrates Catholic teaching with Montessori pedagogy
• Observe classrooms regularly and provide actionable instructional feedback
• Champion student-centered, differentiated learning environments
• Champion the Good Shepherd System of Support (Multi-Tiered System of Support) in collaboration with Intervention staff, teachers, assistants and parents

Faculty Leadership & Development

• Recruit, hire, and retain mission-aligned faculty and staff
• Provide ongoing coaching, evaluation, and professional development
• Cultivate a collaborative faculty culture rooted in trust and accountability
• Support teachers in obtaining Montessori certification and ongoing formation

Student Formation & Discipline

• Oversee student life, ensuring development of the whole child: spiritual, intellectual, social, and emotional
• Implement discipline practices consistent with Montessori philosophy and Catholic anthropology
• Partner with parents to support student growth and well-being

Operations & School Management

• Oversee daily school operations, scheduling, and policies
• Ensure compliance with accreditation and regulatory requirements
• Collaborate with executive director on budgeting and resource allocation
• Manage enrollment processes and student retention efforts

Family & Community Engagement

• Build strong relationships with parents as partners in education 
• Communicate clearly, consistently, and transparently
• Promote the school within the broader community
• Support advancement efforts including admissions, marketing, and fundraising

Qualifications
Required

• Practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church
• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree preferred in Education, Leadership, or related field)
• Minimum 5 years of teaching and/or school leadership experience
• Commitment to Montessori education (certification or willingness to obtain)
• Ability to meet Archdiocese of Cincinnati SafeParish requirements
• Successful completion of a background check prior to employment

Preferred

• Montessori certification (AMI, AMS, or equivalent)
• Experience in Catholic school leadership
• Strong background in faculty development and instructional coaching

Core Competencies

• Faith-filled leadership and witness
• Deep understanding of child development and Montessori philosophy
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Strategic thinking with operational effectiveness
• Courageous, clear, and compassionate decision-making

Key Performance Indicators

• Strength of Catholic culture and spiritual life
• Faculty engagement, retention, and development
• Student academic growth and character formation
• Parent satisfaction and community trust
• Enrollment stability and growth

Benefits
This position is eligible for tuition discount for dependent children and full employee benefits.

Join Our Mission
If you feel called to support children in a faith-filled Montessori environment, we invite you to submit your resume to Deacon Nathan Beiersdorfer, Executive Director at nbeiersdorfer@gscmontessori.org.

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