Board Member - Grove Montessori

Our Charter At-A-Glance

Founded in 2025, Grove Montessori is a free, public Montessori charter school part of the Wildflower Network. It is located at 1575 Jefferson Ave SE and currently serves grades 1-4, with the goal of expanding to K-6. What makes this school unique is its small size and community focus, creating an environment where every child is known as an individual and valued as a member of the community.

Our charter’s mission is to welcome racially, culturally, and economically-diverse families into a caring school where every child is seen, known, and inspired to learn. With Montessori principles, we are helping children grow with confidence, think for themselves, and positively influence their community.

Our Board’s Purpose

The Board of Trustees has a fiduciary responsibility to ensure that Grove Montessori fully lives into its mission. This includes providing governance, oversight, and support so that the school thrives academically, operationally, and financially while staying rooted in its values and community.

Essential Mindsets

We are looking for board members who:

• Believe in and align with the mission and vision of Grove Montessori and the Wildflower Beliefs
• Are committed to equity, inclusion, and the success of all children
• Enjoy working collaboratively and productively with others
• Embrace innovation and reimagining traditional governance roles
• Believe in an innovative teacher-led charter model

Responsibilities

All board members are expected to:

• Attend regular board meetings (typically once per month)
• Serve on at least one committee and contribute actively to its work
• Support the board’s fiduciary duties (oversight of budget, compliance, strategic direction)
• Contribute time, expertise, and networks to advance the school’s mission
• Participate in fundraising and community engagement efforts
• Serve as ambassadors for Grove Montessori in the community

Eligibility

• Be a US Citizen and reside in Michigan
• Successfully pass a personal background check
• Not have a conflict of interest that would compromise Grove, such as being a member of another school board, or having a business relationship with the school

Target Areas of Expertise

We seek candidates who has knowledge in the following areas:

• Finance
• Nonprofit Governance
• Fundraising
• Legal
• Facilities Management
• Montessori pedagogy
• Non-hierarchical organization management
• Community relations

As our school is located in the 49507 area of Grand Rapids, we would love to fill these board positions from within the surrounding community, but encourage anyone to apply.

Why Join the Board?

Board service is an opportunity to:

• Contribute to a liberatory model of education
• Partner with dedicated educators, families, and community members
• Bring your voice and expertise to a mission-driven effort that benefits children and families
• Develop as a leader while supporting meaningful social change

Term & Commitment

• 1 to 5 year renewable term (as outlined in bylaws)
• Approximate time commitment: 6-8 hours per month (board meetings, committee work, events)

To Apply

To learn more or express interest, please complete the board candidate application at https://forms.gle/ojgwNjMFspMbz8h49. A current board member will follow up to schedule a conversation.