Assistant Montessori Teacher

Reports to: Lead Teacher

Position Summary

The Assistant Teacher supports the Lead Teacher in delivering an authentic Montessori program for toddlers and Children's House students. This role helps maintain a calm, orderly, and prepared environment where children can work independently and with deep concentration, while ensuring constant supervision, safety, and warm communication with families. The Assistant Teacher is an essential part of the classroom team and contributes to both the educational experience and the daily care of the environment.

Key Responsibilities

Classroom & Curriculum Support

• Assist the Montessori Lead Teacher in implementing the Montessori curriculum, setting up and organizing the classroom, and ensuring the learning environment is conducive to exploration, discovery, and independent learning
• Protect the concentration of each child. Avoid interrupting a child's work cycle, redirect quietly, and model grace and courtesy at all times
• Assist with circle time and lessons as directed by the Lead Teacher
• Assist with potty training and diapering, following the school's posted diapering and hygiene procedures
• Assist during snack and lunch, serving food and supporting children's independence in self-feeding and table routines
• Supervise children during nap/rest time and support calm, consistent sleep routines
• Take photos of the work period and outdoor playtime and share them via Brightwheel
• Upload lessons to Montessori Compass directed by the Lead Guide

Family Communication

• Warmly welcome parents and children at arrival and dismissal
• Establish and maintain positive and effective communication with parents, directing curriculum and developmental questions to the Lead Teacher

Supervision, Health & Safety

• Supervise children by sight and sound at all times — in the classroom, on the playground, and on field trips and maintain required teacher-to-child ratios
• Maintain active supervision: continuous room and playground scanning, intentional positioning apart from other teachers for full coverage, and no phone use or side conversations while supervising children
• Follow all health and safety policies and procedures to ensure the well-being of students, including maintaining a clean and safe classroom environment, monitoring students' physical well-being, and responding to emergencies or incidents as needed
• Promptly report any injuries, incidents, or concerns to the Lead Teacher

Care of the Environment

• Take responsibility for the care and maintenance of the classroom, teaching materials, and equipment
• Set up nap cots each day; clean and store nap cots and sheets
• Organize supplies, materials, and activities, including the supplies storage room
• Clean snack and lunch tables (including floors) after every meal
• Vacuum the indoor classroom every evening; clean all shelves and works daily
• Take out trash (indoor small trash and outdoor trash)
• Maintain a clean, orderly environment throughout the day

Teamwork & Professional Growth

• Work collaboratively with the Lead and Assistant Teachers, Montessori consultants, and school staff
• Participate in team meetings, professional development, and school-wide events and activities
• Perform any other duties assigned by the Head of School and Lead Teacher
• Attend AMS conference yearly

Qualifications

Required

• At least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or equivalent (per California Title 22 requirements for teacher aides)
• Warmth, patience, and reliability working with young children
• Ability to follow the Lead Teacher's direction and the school's policies consistently
• Strong communication skills in English (additional languages a plus)

Preferred

• 12+ semester units in Early Childhood Education or Child Development, or willingness to enroll
• Prior experience in a licensed childcare or Montessori setting
• Familiarity with, or genuine interest in, Montessori philosophy

Health & Safety Clearances

• Criminal record clearance via DOJ/FBI Live Scan fingerprinting and Child Abuse Central Index check (required before first day of work)
• TB clearance within the year prior to hire
• Proof of immunization against measles and pertussis, and annual influenza vaccination (influenza may be declined in writing), per California SB 792
• Pediatric CPR/First Aid certification from an EMSA-approved provider, or willingness to obtain within [30] days of hire
• Completion of California mandated reporter training (all staff are m