Duties
Expectations for all employees of The Montessori School of Champaign-Urbana
- Promotes the vision of the school-- “to be a thriving community that is passionate about learning, discovery, and making a positive impact in the world.”
- Promotes the mission of the school-- “The Montessori School of Champaign-Urbana stimulates the natural curiosity of children through hands-on prepared environments to be self-directed, compassionate, innovative thinkers.”
- Demonstrates positive and professional language and behavior.
- Is punctual and ready to greet children when they arrive. As a small school, we rely heavily on our staff to be on time and at work each day.
- To lead with the Montessori philosophy at all times when interacting with our school community. On the job training in Montessori philosophy and pedagogy will be provided.
Summary of Assistant Teacher Position
A Montessori teacher assistant works in a Montessori classroom led by a lead teacher trained in Montessori philosophy and pedagogy. They assist the lead teacher with activities and lessons for students and manage the classroom environment while the head teacher is giving direct instruction. Assistant teachers help to provide a warm, nurturing, and safe environment where self-directed learning is facilitated, independence encouraged, and individuality respected. Assistant teachers help meet the emotional, physical, intellectual and social needs of both the individual and the group.
Assistant teachers follow the direction of and report directly to the lead teacher. Assistant teachers may help to lead at least one afternoon “specials” class such as Drama, Spanish, Music, Art, and/or Physical Education (to be determined with the Elementary Program Director, depending on experience and skills).
The successful candidate must love and respect children, exhibit leadership qualities, have a sense of humor, be friendly and work cooperatively with teams, must be self motivated and have the personality to motivate others, demonstrate flexible thinking, and must be able to set priorities and meet deadlines. This position requires a high level of interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations with a continual need for tact and diplomacy, and must be able to manage a wide variety of personalities. Must have excellent decision-making and conflict resolution skills. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential tasks.
Essential duties
- Implements portions of the curriculum set forth by the lead teacher.
- Assumes responsibility for the safety and physical well-being of the children at all times.
- Adheres to professional standards as an educator for the purpose of maintaining quality and excellence.
- Follows all policies and procedures of the school as written in the employee and parent handbooks and confidentiality agreement.
- Helps to prepare and maintain a classroom environment in which the furnishings and materials create an imaginative, nurturing, learning environment and correspond to the needs of the group.
- Provides for the learning needs of the individual children on a daily basis.
- Protects the calm, peaceful, and imaginative working atmosphere of the class at all times.
- Supervises children in the classroom, on the playground, and on field trips at all times.
- Greets children and assists them in and out of their cars safely during morning and afternoon carline.
- Helps to maintain current, accurate, individual progress notes, attendance records, incidental notes and weekly overview of class work completed by students.
- Keeps weekly observations of student academic and social/emotional behavior and reports these to the lead teacher.
- Reports points of interest or concern to the lead teacher so they may communicate with parents regarding children’s specific needs.
- Participates in parent/teacher meetings and any other meetings deemed necessary by the lead teacher or Elementary Program Director.
- Attends and participates in monthly staff meetings which occur the second Tuesday of each month at 6:00 PM.
- Takes responsibility for the care and maintenance of the classroom and teaching materials (dusting, straightening, wiping surfaces, sweeping, vacuuming).
- Checks and replenishes consumable classroom items at the beginning and end of each day.
- Creates classroom materials as directed by the lead teacher.
- Reports all accidents or unusual situations to the lead teacher and writes dated reports to be sent home.
- Assists with developing other projects, programs, and planning as requested by the lead teacher or Elementary Program Director.
- Coordinates with the lead teacher to oversee a substitute teacher’s responsibilities in the event the lead teacher is absent.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk or otherwise ambulate. The position regularly requires the candidate to stand and sit on the floor. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and will be exposed to outside weather conditions within a range from 15 degrees to 99 degrees fahrenheit on a daily basis. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Salary/Benefits
Hourly rate starting at $15.00, commensurate with education and experience
- Sick/personal leave days per year
- Paid holidays
- Paid time off (PTO)
- Tuition reduction for qualified child
How to Apply
Please send resume and cover letter to Elementary Program Director at bday@montessorischoolofcu.org.