Resource Room (Self-Contained Classroom) Guide
About The Position
As part of our continuum of services for students with disabilities, Breakthrough Montessori provides a self-contained classroom known within our school community as the Resource Room. The Resource Room is a structured and supportive learning environment designed for students with disabilities who require significant levels of specialized instruction and support. This setting is grounded in our commitment to academic, social, and emotional success for all learners and includes strategies to integrate students within both the Resource Room and their general education classrooms when appropriate. The Resource Room Guide plays a vital role in supporting our highest-needs students as they develop the skills necessary to thrive in their Montessori classrooms. This position is designed for a credentialed special education professional who will serve as the lead instructor in this specialized setting, with a focus on academic, functional, and social-emotional growth. Under the direction of the Special Education Coordinator, the Resource Room Guide will implement research-based interventions and strategies to help students access Montessori materials and build the skills needed for success in inclusive learning environments. Responsibilities include delivering both individualized and small-group instruction (two or more students), tailored to each student’s specific needs. Students are generally grouped by age or skill level, in alignment with Montessori classroom age bands (ages 3–6, 6–9, and 9–12). Flexibility, responsiveness to student needs, and strong collaboration with the broader instructional team are essential for success in this role.
Requirements
- Experience working with students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), including implementation of individualized supports and strategies
- Strong commitment to the school’s mission and to anti-bias/anti-racist pedagogy
- Ability to maintain confidentiality of student and family information
- Proven ability to work collaboratively within a diverse team of educators
- Self-starter with the ability to manage responsibilities independently
- Willingness to learn and incorporate Montessori materials and philosophy into practice
- Experience collaborating with classroom teachers and instructional assistants
- Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and time management skills
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Experience engaging with families from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds
- Experience working with diverse populations of students, parents, and families.
- Bachelor‘s degree in applicable field required
- Special Education certification and/or degree required
Nice To Haves
- Montessori experience preferred
- Experience in the field of special education and with academic interventions
Responsibilities
- Demonstrate consistent attendance and punctuality to ensure continuity of instruction and student support.
- Manage a caseload of students with IEPs, providing specialized, small group, and individualized instruction aligned with IEP goals and lesson plans.
- Attend and actively participate in IEP meetings; develop and update IEP goals based on student needs.
- Maintain accurate records, including service logs, goal progress, benchmark assessments, and behavior documentation in compliance with IEP requirements and Special Programs.
- Coordinate with related service providers and collaborate with general education teachers to support student progress, particularly for part-time Resource Room attendees.
- Conduct ongoing assessment of student needs alongside service providers.
- Maintain a safe, clean, and developmentally appropriate learning environment, adhering to Montessori guidelines and established cleaning schedules.
- Support students’ physical, personal care, and safety needs, including feeding, toileting, hygiene, and escorting students as required.
- Foster students’ social behaviors, self-help skills, and independence in accordance with their individual needs.
- Participate in staff development, meetings, special events, and in-person professional learning opportunities.
- Maintain prompt and regular in-person attendance.
- Perform other duties as assigned by school leadership.
- Maintain the confidentiality of student and family information.
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)
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
