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• Resume
• Cover letter
• Three references
• Three most recent employers
• Certifications (If applicable) 

Job Title: Elementary Assistant Teacher              

Supervisor’s Title: Director of Elementary Education  

Employee Classification: Exempt 

General Daily Schedule: Monday-Friday, Hours: 8:00 am - 3:30 pm

Position Summary

Assistant teachers value the Montessori philosophy and foster a high-fidelity

Montessori classroom. Building meaningful relationships with each student is paramount, as is utilizing strong communication skills with children and adults alike. The assistant and lead teacher collaborate daily to ensure each child is progressing toward their academic, social, and personal goals. The assistant teacher is responsible for delivering and documenting lessons and follow-up work in collaboration with the lead teacher. Assistants are critical members of the elementary team in concert with fellow assistant teachers, lead teachers, and the Director of Elementary Education. 

Successful RMS employees continually demonstrate both the ability to execute their job duties effectively, as well as to positively impact school culture.

Required Duties for Elementary Assistants

• Work with the lead teacher to normalize the classroom and ensure each child is engaged throughout the day in meaningful, individualized work at their level. Indicators of normalization include deep student concentration and sustained engagement; self-discipline and independence in work choice and time management; an authentic love of learning; a calm, respectful classroom community grounded in grace and courtesy; purposeful, orderly movement within the environment; and a joyful, peaceful, and highly productive classroom atmosphere
• Design and deliver curriculum collaboratively with the lead teacher for content beyond the Montessori albums 
• Conduct individual, small group, and whole group learning experiences 
• Partner with the lead teacher in organizing and creating a beautiful, clean, and inviting prepared environment that promotes student autonomy and independent functioning
• Collaborate with the lead teacher during planning time and use observations to align classroom experiences, materials, and guidance with each child’s developmental stage and emerging interests
• Help implement strategies and recommendations to support children with learning differences
• Support the development of independent social skills and manage classroom behavior by modeling and implementing Montessori philosophy and Positive Discipline approaches that uphold dignity, mutual respect, and self-regulation
• Help foster positive partnerships with families by collaborating with the lead teacher on communications and treating all information about each child’s growth with care, discretion, and confidentiality
• Work together with the lead teacher to coordinate observations and documentation for conferences and progress reports
• Ensure the safety, attentive supervision, and well-being of all students at all times (indoors, during transitions, and outdoors). In partnership with the other adults, maintain consistent awareness of every child’s location and engagement. Outdoor transitions, work, and play are supported within designated, age-appropriate spaces to promote safety and purposeful exploration
• Maintain timely and accurate completion of all required documentation, including but not limited to accident reports, paid time off requests, professional development requests, and self-evaluations. Communicate promptly with the lead teacher and Director of Elementary Education regarding absences and secure a substitute from the approved Substitute List when needed 
• Adhere consistently to all RMS policies and procedures, recognizing that professionalism, reliability, and clear communication support a stable and respectful environment for children
• Maintain a positive work environment among all staff that is professional, kind, and inclusive
• Extends the assistant teacher duties described above to the specialty classes as scheduled or as needed, determined by the Director of Elementary Education. Assumes the role of lead teacher in the classroom when the lead teacher is absent. 
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Elementary Education or Head of School

Professional Expectations

• Demonstrates professionalism, reliability, and discretion
• Maintains confidentiality
• Engages respectfully with students, families, and colleagues
• Contributes positively to school culture
• Demonstrates sound judgment and accountability
• Commits to ongoing professional growth

Physical Factors and Work Environment

Primarily a classroom environment, with the exception of moving students around our outdoor campus, carpool duties, supervising students outside, field trip chaperoning, and other needs as assigned. This is an active position requiring adults to sit on the floor and bend down to the child’s level. Assistant teachers will be asked to supervise students playing outside for 30 to 60 minutes per day. The ability to lift 35 pounds is required.   

Additional Responsibilities

On an as-needed basis, employees are needed to attend classroom-specific and after-school functions, community meetings, parent meetings, and other times outside the normal schedule.  

Employment Disclaimer

This job description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of Richmond Montessori School.  Since no job description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties, and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the jobholder’s responsibility.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree 
• Two years of experience working with elementary children (6-12 years old), Montessori experience preferred
• Deep respect for children, their families, and the Montessori pedagogy
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build respectful, positive relationships within a school community
• Sound judgment with the ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team
• Ability to recognize challenging classroom dynamics and seek appropriate support or collaboration when needed
• Ability to commit to the position for a minimum of three years
• Exemplary work ethic with dependable follow-through and accountability
• Consistent energy and steady presence in a classroom environment

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