Assistant Teacher Job Opening- posted November 24, 2022
Do you delight in watching young children learn and grow? Do you experience joy and wonder when you see a child master a new skill, begin to use new words, and develop new relationships with peers and adults? If so, this might be the job for you!
Sunnyside Mennonite Montessori School is hiring an Assistant Teacher. This half-time position is integral to the day-to-day functioning of the school and plays a key role in building the classroom community.
The ideal candidate will delight in and be energized through supporting the growth and development of young children. This person will be both flexible and organized; someone willing to take the initiative and be creative, but also willing to ask questions and accept direction from the Lead Teacher. This person should have good problem-solving skills, as well as basic math and geometry skills. We prefer someone who is Montessori trained but will consider a person who is open to learning the Montessori Method.
Duties
Duties of this position include assisting in maintaining a prepared classroom environment, collaborating with the Lead Teacher to ensure the smooth functioning of the classroom, and encouraging children to engage in individual work time to promote independence as well a cooperative work to support socialization. Under the guidance of the Lead Teacher, the Assistant Teacher will support children's growth and development through individual and/or group activities, including modifications to meet the needs of individual children. The Assistant Teacher helps organize snack and lunch times and assists with toileting (as needed). For additional details, please review the full job description below.
Do you delight in watching young children learn and grow? Do you experience joy and wonder when you see a child master a new skill, begin to use new words, and develop new relationships with peers and adults? If so, this might be the job for you!
Sunnyside Mennonite Montessori School is hiring an Assistant Teacher. This half-time position is integral to the day-to-day functioning of the school and plays a key role in building the classroom community.
The ideal candidate will delight in and be energized through supporting the growth and development of young children. This person will be both flexible and organized; someone willing to take the initiative and be creative, but also willing to ask questions and accept direction from the Lead Teacher. This person should have good problem-solving skills, as well as basic math and geometry skills. We prefer someone who is Montessori trained but will consider a person who is open to learning the Montessori Method.
Duties
Duties of this position include assisting in maintaining a prepared classroom environment, collaborating with the Lead Teacher to ensure the smooth functioning of the classroom, and encouraging children to engage in individual work time to promote independence as well a cooperative work to support socialization. Under the guidance of the Lead Teacher, the Assistant Teacher will support children's growth and development through individual and/or group activities, including modifications to meet the needs of individual children. The Assistant Teacher helps organize snack and lunch times and assists with toileting (as needed). For additional details, please review the full job description below.
Job Description
- SUNNYSIDE MENNONITE MONTESSORI SCHOOL
Job Title: Assistant Teacher Reports To: Chair of SMMS Board & Lead Teacher
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt (Hourly)
Sunnyside Mennonite Montessori School (SMMS) provides high quality, affordable Montessori education to children ages 3 – 6. It is a program of Portland Mennonite Church (PMC) and is informed by Mennonite/Anabaptist principles of peace, nonviolence, and social justice. SMMS operates 4 mornings per week during the school year in the lower level of PMC.
Hours
The school operates Tuesday through Friday mornings, with children present from 9:00 - 12:30 p.m. The Assistant Teacher typically works 4 days per week, 5 hours per day. Typical hours are generally 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Summary
The Assistant Teacher is responsible for supporting key aspects of school operations and is an integral part of fulfilling the mission and vision of the school. Working with a Lead Teacher, the Assistant Teacher ensures that children receive an educational experience steeped in the methods and philosophies of Maria Montessori that demonstrates love, patience and respect for all children. The Assistant Teacher models appropriate manners and behaviors and encourages the children to be independent. Methods of conflict resolution are taught and practiced with an emphasis on understanding others’ points of view.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Assist in maintaining a prepared classroom environment for the children.
- Support individual and/or group activities to stimulate growth of the children in social, emotional and academic areas.
- With the guidance of the Lead Teacher, assist in the instruction of children in each area of the Montessori classroom, giving lessons on each type of work. This includes areas of Practical Life, Sensorial, Language and Writing, Math, Sciences, Geography and Cultural Studies and Art.
- Encourage individual work time to promote independence as well as cooperative work to promote socialization.
- Support identified modifications by the Lead Teacher that meet the needs of children with varying backgrounds, learning styles and special needs.
- Monitor and encourage the progress of each child through individual lessons.
- Assist in organizing snack and lunch times while helping children to learn independence and social manners.
- Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, parents, co-workers and board chair.
- Participate in all open houses and school programs.
- As needed, be responsible for assisting with toileting while demonstrating respect for the child.
- Adhere to the “Safe Child Policy” of Portland Mennonite Church.
- Work with parents on Friday afternoons to assure classroom space is ready for weekend use by Portland Mennonite Church. This includes cleaning and moving SMMS’s classroom materials and furniture to the storeroom.
- Other duties as assigned by the Lead Teacher and/or SMMS Board.
Relationship with Portland Mennonite Church (PMC)
- The Assistant Teacher's personal beliefs or ideals should be consistent with the beliefs and values of Portland Mennonite Church, including “Peace, Respect, and Grace” offered to all.
- Develop a collaborative working relationship with the Church Administrator, the Pastor of Children and Youth and the Associate Pastor of Community Life and Outreach to assure the shared use space meets the needs of all users.
Education and/or Experience
- AA degree; or one to two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- One or more years of teaching experience in a Montessori classroom. Montessori training is preferred or openness to learning Montessori methods.
Length of Position/Contract Period
- Approximately 20 hours per week
- From the last two weeks in August to the middle of June
- Paid monthly
Compensation
- Competitive Wage ( $15-18/hr. starting range commensurate with qualifications and experience)
- Personal and Sick Leave
- Continuing Education
- 10% contribution to retirement plan after one year of employment
- 50% Tuition Discount for Enrolled Child
***If you would like to be considered for this position, send a cover letter along with your resume to Paula Brunk Kuhns, Board Chair, at smms.pdx@gmail.com.***
Sunnyside Mennonite Montessori School provides high-quality, affordable Montessori education to children ages 3-6, informed by spiritual principles of peace, respect and grace.