Montessori Classroom Assistants / Instructional Assistants (All Levels)
AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY TO BE PART OF AN ACCREDITED PUBLIC CHARTER MONTESSORI SCHOOL AND PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY IN WASHINGTON, DC
JOB POSTING
MONTESSORI CLASSROOM ASSISTANT/INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT(ALL LEVELS)
Levels: Kindergarten (3-6 year old), Lower Elementary (6-9 year old)
School Year: 2024-2025
Levels: Kindergarten (3-6 year old), Lower Elementary (6-9 year old)
School Year: 2024-2025
Job Opportunity: Classroom Teaching /Instructional Assistant
Location: Washington, DC
Report to: Montessori Primary or Elementary Coordinator
Application Deadline: August 2024
Location: Washington, DC
Report to: Montessori Primary or Elementary Coordinator
Application Deadline: August 2024
About Shining Stars Montessori Academy Public Charter School
Shining Stars Montessori Academy Public Charter School’s mission is to offer a quality Montessori education infused with culturally inclusive principles to guide children to develop to their fullest potential.
Classroom Assistant Position Summary:
Shining Stars Montessori Academy PCS is seeking Classroom Teaching Assistants for out Primary through Upper Elementary grade levels . Levels at SSMA are: The Children’s House /Primary (3-6 year old), Lower Elementary (6-9 year old) and Upper Elementary (9-12 year old), This position provides integral support to the Lead Guide to ensure that children have an authentic Montessori teaching and learning experience. Individuals working on their Montessori Guide certification, seeking a mentored internship opportunity under a SSMA Lead Guide are encouraged to apply.
Shining Stars Montessori Academy PCS is seeking Classroom Teaching Assistants for out Primary through Upper Elementary grade levels . Levels at SSMA are: The Children’s House /Primary (3-6 year old), Lower Elementary (6-9 year old) and Upper Elementary (9-12 year old), This position provides integral support to the Lead Guide to ensure that children have an authentic Montessori teaching and learning experience. Individuals working on their Montessori Guide certification, seeking a mentored internship opportunity under a SSMA Lead Guide are encouraged to apply.
This position requires love, patience and respect for children. The Classroom Assistant will encourage the children to be independent and model for them appropriate manners and behaviors and help the lead guide teacher facilitate a classroom environment designed to promote social, physical, intellectual growth and learning excellence by following the
philosophies of Dr. Maria Montessori.
philosophies of Dr. Maria Montessori.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
Provide Support to the Lead Classroom Teacher
Provide Support to the Lead Classroom Teacher
- Manage the classroom in such a way that protects that lessons that the lead teacher is giving.
- Encourage the children to be independent and model for them appropriate manners and behaviors.
- Work with individual children or small groups as directed by the lead guide/teacher.
- Preparing the Montessori classroom environment to meet the students’ needs and interests.
- Take attendance daily for the Guide.
- Provide instruction or serve as Co-Teacher under supervision of the Lead Guide.
Assist in the Maintenance of the Prepared Montessori Classroom Environment
- Clean the classroom and replenish materials and supplies in the morning and afternoon.
- Move throughout the classroom during work periods to make sure the classroom continues to be clean, lively, and inviting.
- Make materials as required by the lead guide/ teacher.
Assist in Data Collection and Record Keeping
- Participate in all training related to data collection and assessment. This includes taking daily attendance in PowerSchool .
- Gather written observations and input them in SSMA SIS and any other data keeping systems as directed by the lead guide/teacher.
- Discuss observations with the lead guide/teacher and other teaching staff as appropriate.
- Assist with the administration of Teacher developed or standardized assessments as directed. To include EC, LE and UE assessments.
Provide Primary Supervision During Non-Academic Times
- Provide supervision and enriching activities during nonacademic times including arrival, lunch, recess, dismissal, before and after care.
- Provide communication about students’ development during these times to the lead teacher.
Requirements and Experience
- Possess a minimum of an Associate’s (required) or Bachelor’s degree (preferred)
- At least 3 years of prior working experience, preferably in a Montessori school and/or a diverse public,
private , or charter elementary school required - Prior classroom assistant and/or lead teaching experience preferred,
- Possess a current First Aid and CPR Certificate,
- Bilingualism in Spanish , French, Amharic a plus (though not required),
- Must be eligible to work in the U.S.,
- Willingness to attend and complete classroom assistant training provided in August and during school year, and/or willingness to become a Guide after one year of successful employment
- Have a sense of humor and a love of children.
Compensation:
Salary for this position is competitive and commensurate with prior experience and education. This is a 10-month position. In addition, a comprehensive benefits package is included.
Salary for this position is competitive and commensurate with prior experience and education. This is a 10-month position. In addition, a comprehensive benefits package is included.
Benefits
Shining Stars Montessori Academy PCS offers the following benefits to all full-time employees. See for salaries https://www.shiningstarspcs.org/apps/pages/Transparency
Shining Stars Montessori Academy PCS offers the following benefits to all full-time employees. See for salaries https://www.shiningstarspcs.org/apps/pages/Transparency
- Medical, Dental and Vision insurance premiums subsidized by employer
- 401k Retirement Plan with employer match
- Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts
- Life and Disability Insurance
- Paid sick and personal time off
Effective SY 24-25 all candidates for this position must comply with the Federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 ("NCLB") which requires that all instructional assistants or paraprofessionals working in Title I schools must be "highly qualified." In order to be "highly qualified" under Section 1119 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, instructional paraprofessionals must have a high school diploma or General
Educational Development ("GED"), and must meet one of the following requirements: a. Complete two years of full-time study (minimum 48 credit hours) at an accredited college/university; b. Successfully complete the ETS ParaPro Assessment with a passing score of at least 461.
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees may be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties as requested, subject to all applicable state and federal laws. Certain job functions described herein may be subject to possible modification in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.
Shining Stars Montessori Academy Public Charter School does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital
status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.
Educational Development ("GED"), and must meet one of the following requirements: a. Complete two years of full-time study (minimum 48 credit hours) at an accredited college/university; b. Successfully complete the ETS ParaPro Assessment with a passing score of at least 461.
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees may be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties as requested, subject to all applicable state and federal laws. Certain job functions described herein may be subject to possible modification in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.
Shining Stars Montessori Academy Public Charter School does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital
status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.