Sussex Montessori hires Peter McClure as director of teaching and learning

Amid rising unemployment and layoffs statewide, a new public charter school is expanding its team of new hires for the coming school year. 

Sussex Montessori School recently hired 10 new staff with plans to bring on 12 additional employees, including associate teachers, nurse and counselor by Wednesday, July 1. Among them is Peter McClure, an Ivy League graduate and experienced educator, who accepted the position of director of teaching and learning at the elementary school in Seaford.

McClure brings 20 years of classroom experience in public charter and private Montessori schools in Massachusetts. A graduate of Yale University with a master of arts in teaching degree from Boston University, McClure is credentialed by the American Montessori Society.

Over his teaching career, McClure has been a team coordinator, a board member and a faculty leader. He has led teams to create school-wide curriculum goals, progress reports, peer counseling programs and whole-school curriculum initiatives.

“Peter will ensure the integrity of our K-6 Montessori curriculum through the ongoing training and development of excellent teachers,” said Linda Zankowsky, board chair. “His experience in the classroom has proven to him the benefits of a Montessori education.”

Having seen his daughter flourish in the Montessori programs that she attended, as well as her success in her subsequent schools, McClure says he knows firsthand how a Montessori education builds confident and capable students.

“I believe that a child, given the proper prepared environment, can empower themselves as lifelong learners and maximize their full learning potential,” he said.

McClure will join Sussex Montessori July 1 and plans to reside in Seaford.

For more information, go to www.sussexmontessoricharter.com.