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Job Title: Montessori Classroom Assistant
Reports To: Montessori Guide and Head of School
Hours: 40 hours per week Monday-Friday

Purpose of the Position:
The Montessori Classroom Assistant (Assistant) assists the Montessori Guide (Guide) in preparing and maintaining the environment in which the Montessori approach to education is implemented. The Assistant offers classroom management and oversight per the direction of the Guide ensuring safety and independence of the children within the environment.

General duties: The general duties of the Assistant shall include, but shall not necessarily be limited to, the following:

  • Perform their services faithfully, enthusiastically, and satisfactorily at the TTMS during normal working hours on regularly scheduled school days.
  • Perform their duties subject to the general supervision and direction of the Guide, Montessori Coach, and Head of School.
  • Abide by all reasonable rules, regulations, and policies promulgated by the Head of School and shall comply with all relevant statutes, regulations, and ordinances of the State of Washington.
  • Adhere to the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) guidelines and TTMS’ guidelines and professional standards, for the purpose of maintaining excellence.
  • Maintains punctual, regular, and consistent attendance.
  • Works collaboratively in a team environment.
  • Prioritizes a focus on the child’s experience at all times.
  • Work with the Guide to ensure students are socially, emotionally, and academically on track to the best of their ability.
  • Assist children in their conflict resolution process.
  • Maintain age-appropriate and consistent boundaries for the children.
  • Maintain a positive work environment among all staff that is professional, kind, and inclusive.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through continuous self-reflection and development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing bias.
  • Report suspected abuse or neglect to the Head of School immediately.
  • Be comfortable handling bloodborne pathogens/bodily fluids (urine, feces, vomit, blood, etc.).
  • Performs other duties as needed and/or assigned.

Other duties include:

  1. Maintain Environment and Records
    1. Support the Guide in preparing an environment in which the furnishings and materials are complete and correspond to the needs of the group.
    2. Be responsible for the care and maintenance of classroom materials, i.e. maintain an orderly environment, keep it clean, and in like-new condition. The children are to be brought into this responsibility.
    3. Help maintain current attendance records.
  2. Communicate and Act with Grace and Courtesy
    1. With parents:
      1. Maintain relationships with parents by greeting them each day upon arrival and departure
      2. If a parent brings a concern about a student, respectfully redirect them to the Guide
      3. If a parent brings a concern about school policy or procedure, respectfully redirect them to the administration
    2. With Guide, Classroom Assistant(s) and/or Support Staff:
      1. Share questions and observations of children and/or the environment
      2. Provide constructive and respectful feedback to those you work with and be willing to receive constructive and respectful feedback yourself
      3. Support adults within your environment by providing important need to know information and offer suggestions
    3. With Colleagues
      1. Work through conflicts with grace and courtesy and in a timely manner.
      2. Have respectful communication with colleagues.
    4. With Children
      1. Regard each child without prejudice or favoritism.
      2. Speak and listen to children with respect.
  3. Uphold Professional Responsibilities
    1. Attend planned professional in-school workshops planned by TTMS.
    2. Initiate growth and change in own intellectual and professional development, seeking out conferences, courses, and other opportunities to learn.
    3. Be self-aware and self-monitoring in identifying and solving child, curricular, and school problems when appropriate.
    4. Complete evaluations for students as directed by the Guide, Head of School and/or Montessori Coach.
    5. Protect the privacy and working atmosphere of the group at all times.
    6. Communicate and cooperate with the Head of School on program changes.
    7. Be in compliance with the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction rules and regulations.
    8. Read and adhere to the guidelines as established in the TTMS Employee Handbook and adhere to all school policies.
    9. Notify the Guide immediately of personal difficulties with children, parents, or staff.
    10. Have a professional appearance and demeanor.
  4. Ensure Safety
    1. Be responsible, with the Guide, for the safety and physical well being of the children at all times. The children are not to be left unattended.
    2. Report any and all accidents at once. Prepare a written report stating date, time, nature of accident, and action taken.
    3. Supervise children in the execution of safety drills and evacuations. The routine is to be clearly established and the building exited with dispatch and order.
    4. Maintain a current WA Food Worker Card, DCYF Portable Background Check, and CPR, First Aid, and Bloodborne Pathogens training.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may or may not be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Classroom activities require frequent shifts between sitting, walking, standing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling.
  • Must be able to run with children or run to them quickly as needed.
  • Frequent reaching and use of hands, including to lift items under 10 pounds.
  • Occasionally need to lift a child who is under 75 pounds (in case of safety or medical injury) and assist with moving classroom furniture or materials.
  • Close, distance, and peripheral vision are required for observing the children and ensuring their safety.

Minimum Requirements

  • Authorized to work in the United States
  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Solid written and verbal communication skills
  • Complete and maintain a current DCYF Portable Background Check
  • Complete Food Worker Card
  • Supply a tuberculosis test or chest x-ray dated no more than 12 months from first day of employment
  • Submit proof of MMR immunization or exemption
  • Complete and maintain current infant/child/adult CPR, First Aid, and Bloodborne Pathogens training that is approved by DCYF
  • Have current Driver License and submit a 3 year driving record (elementary level only)
  • Complete the 30 hour Child Care Basics training and maintain 10 hours of STARS training each year after. There may be additional training requirements as dictated by DCYF. All program staff must submit hours to MERIT.