Job Description Overview
Desert Montessori School is hiring multiple Facilitating (Assistant) Teachers in various classroom. DMS serves ages 2-12. Job requirements vary depending on the ages served in a particular classroom. We are looking for proactive and kind candidates who are passionate about working with children and are looking to be part of a collaborative team of educators.
The Facilitating Teacher supports the students and Lead Teacher to ensure that all students are being cared for, are kept safe, and have enriching experiences throughout the day. In the Montessori Classroom, we practice “one up, one down,” meaning that if the Lead Teacher is engaged in a lesson (focus being down), the Facilitating Teacher has eyes up and is tending to general classroom management. Each Teaching Team will find their own culture and way of sharing responsibilities, but it is important to note that the Facilitating and Lead positions have distinct roles, and boundaries should be maintained to ensure fair sharing of duties. All staff working with children must have a clear Background Check and completed required forms on file.
Duties (include but are not limited to)
Classroom, Materials, and Academics
- Assists in planning and carrying out all directives of the Lead Teacher.
- Take charge of the classroom if the lead teacher is called away.
- Perform tasks necessary to maintain a clean, orderly and attractive Montessori environment including upkeep and inventory of materials.
- Refill supplies as needed, i.e. paper supplies, cleaning supplies, art supplies, etc.
- Maintain an inventory of the classroom and send orders to Facilitating Administrator.
- Take the lead in caring for the environment:
- Wipe surfaces
- Sweep and mop floor - when needed
- Vacuum rug - when needed
- Take out the trash - when needed
- Clean, disinfect and straighten shelves daily
- Assist/take lead on setting up classroom for rest time.
- If teacher produces materials for use in class without school funds, they are the possession of the teacher.
- Demonstrates the shared value of limiting computer and cell phone use to school purposes only and away from children as much as is possible.
Students
- Be responsible for the welfare, safety and educational achievements of students.
- Model quiet voice, calm manner and consistent redirection.
- Assist children in organizing materials, completing a task and returning materials properly.
- For younger classrooms: Change diapers and assist with toilet training and/or toileting.
- Be alert to interruptions and guide children away from the lead teacher giving lessons to other children.
- Train and supervise children in the execution of Fire Drills and Emergency Preparedness Drills.
- Call to the attention of the lead teacher any students with special difficulties or needs, taking care to never offer a diagnosis.
- Work with students of various abilities including those with learning differences.
- Familiarize yourself with the Allergy list to know which students have allergies.
- Demonstrate respect for the students.
- Create and implement appropriate learning pathways with the Lead Teacher for each student.
- Foster a safe, welcoming and culturally responsive learning environment for all students.
- Supervision during recess periods.
- Complete and maintain student records in a timely manner.
Parents
- Communicate with parents per agreement with Lead Teacher. Some communication may be best coming from the Lead, whereas general check-ins may be suitable for either position.
- Inform the Leadership Team of any concerns of the parents.
- Establish a positive relationship with parents.
- Engage with Transparent Classroom. This is shared with the Lead Teacher.
- Support two Parent-Teacher conferences yearly to discuss progress and specific needs.
- Help with and submit newsletter articles monthly.
- Ensure students have enough personal material, communicating with parents if missing/need more.
Work Environment and Requirements
- Attend all staff meetings and in-service days.
- Arrive promptly daily to prepare for class.
- For Toddler and Primary: Have or Obtain 45 Hour Course Credentials or equivalent approved training as established by ECECD.
- For Toddler and Primary: Maintain 24 hours of ECECD approved training yearly.
- Maintain CPR certification every two years.
- Sign the Current Abuse Statement yearly.
- Report all accidents/incidents at once. File an “Accident/Incident” Report Form as appropriate.
- Read, work and conduct oneself within the guidelines of the Employee handbook.
- Attend and participate in school functions that relate to position or teaching level and attend parent functions in support of the school community.
- Conduct oneself professionally by: respecting student confidentiality, cooperating with staff members, committing to the consensus process, working out differences in a mature and reasonable manner and communicating unresolved concerns in accordance with the HR Protocols.
- Fill out and discuss self-evaluation and develop yearly professional goals.
- As necessary, work with the whole staff to solve problems that relate to school, families or staff.
- Self awareness with respect to opportunities for growth and reflection.
- Support DMS mission and policies.
- Sign in and out daily.
- Demonstrate commitment to participating in a teacher-led school, which means enthusiastically choosing to collaborate with each other, to value everyone’s voice, and to commit to the process of improving the school.
- Works to create a safe work environment for all co-workers.
- Makes an effort to curb gossip and work towards solving problems.
- Makes an effort to assume the best intent of all coworkers.
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references.