Montessori Assistant: Primary

Breakthrough Montessori PCS • Washington, DC

1d • $39,000 - $65,195

About The Position

Under the direction of the Assistant Principal, the Montessori Assistant- Primary works with the classroom Guide as they plan and provide appropriate learning experiences for students. They assist the Guide in preparing a structured, student-centered learning environment conducive to the intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development of all children; monitor and evaluate student development and outcomes; communicate and interact with students, parents, staff, and community; works within the Montessori pedagogical scheme to develop and modify instructional plans and materials to meet the needs of all students; maintains appropriate records; follows required procedures and practices and monitors appropriate use and care of equipment, materials and facilities.

Requirements

• Have a firm commitment to upholding the school’s mission and anti-bias/anti-racist pedagogy.
• Commitment to upholding the confidentiality of students and parents
• Proven ability to work as a member of a diverse team of educators
• Enthusiasm and commitment to our vision and mission
• Creative, energetic, and nurturing personality
• Organizational and interpersonal skills
• Timeliness and attention to detail
• Ability to communicate effectively with parents
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Experience working with diverse populations of students, parents, and families.
• Bachelor‘s degree required
• Classroom assisting experience, preferably in a Montessori environment and/or with young children
• Experience collaborating and working as an assistant

Nice To Haves

• Fluency in a language other than English is a plus

Responsibilities

• Assist in the planning, implementation, and coordination of the Montessori classroom
• Maintain a prepared learning environment according to the developmental and curricular specifications outlined in the Montessori Scope & Sequence
• Knowledge of the nomenclature associated with Montessori materials and an understanding of how to support children with their use
• Set limits and boundaries and maintain appropriately high standards for child behavior in the Montessori context
• Observe student activity and base lesson support on observed needs and interests as well as knowledge of previous lessons given
• Participate in weekly group coaching meetings
• Ability to complete record-keeping tasks for the needs of the individual child as well as the group
• Ability and openness to being trained by the Lead Guide to maintain consistent limits and freedoms for students according to the Montessori method
• Knowledge of literacy programming and the ability to support reading growth through multiple methods as needed, including working with students individually or in small groups, assessing the reading level, and reinforcing skills or concepts presented by the guide
• Communicate effectively with colleagues and the school leadership team
• Communicate effectively with parents/families, under the guidance of the classroom Guide, to help them understand the details and implementation of the Montessori approach
• Provide a spirit of hospitality at school gatherings, occasional public events, and ongoing family engagement events
• Participate in other school functions as requested by the Executive Director
• Exhibits: self-discipline independence responsibility grace and courtesy respect for others care of environment care of self community building

Benefits

• Paid personal time off
• Paid COVID sick leave
• Paid family leave (in addition to DC paid family leave)
• Paid bereavement leave
• Paid leave for the observation of a religious holiday
• A weekly early release schedule with professional development and collaborative planning time from 1:30-4:30 pm every Monday;
• An individual professional development budget of $250/year to pursue additional PD opportunities;
• Conference participation
• A Continuing Education grant program that provides grantees up to $20,000 to complete Montessori teacher training, an advanced degree or other license.
• Health, dental, vision
• Retirement (Vanguard Retirement)
• AFLAC
• Educator wellness groups, facilitated by a clinical psychologist.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level