Breakthrough Montessori PCS Hiring for Montessori Primary Assistant at Washington, DC Full Time

Reports to: Montessori Guide/Director of Curriculum & Instruction

About Breakthrough Montessori Public Charter School:
Breakthrough Montessori is a public charter school in Washington, DC serving children ages 3 to 13. Our mission is to enable children to develop within themselves the power to shape their lives and the world around them. At Breakthrough, we believe in the unbounded potential of all children. Students of all races, classes, genders, sexual orientations, abilities and backgrounds deserve a personalized education.

Our school is grounded by an institutional commitment to development, prevention and community. We support human development through an uncompromising application of the time-tested Montessori instructional model. We support prevention through our commitment to early learning, support and intervention that enables us to address learning challenges quickly and effectively. Finally, we support community through an intensive approach to family engagement that fosters support, connection and life-long learning.

In addition to providing public Montessori education to greater numbers of DC families, we are committed to closing the opportunity gap in the District. By focusing on development, prevention and engagement, our school seeks to produce transformative outcomes for all students.

Breakthrough Montessori is a supportive environment that seeks to employ a diverse staff reflective of all genders, races, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations and backgrounds. Breakthrough is a coaching school, and all employees receive and give coaching in order to support professional growth. Guides and assistants participate in weekly differentiated professional development, and other staff members attend professional development opportunities within and outside the school.

Website: www.breakthroughmontessori.org

About Montessori Education

As a Montessori school, we offer a highly-structured, student-centered education, characterized by personalized, hands-on learning. Students receive lessons individually or in small groups and work independently with hands-on learning materials that enable them to master concepts in language, mathematics, science, and more. Materials are sequenced progressively, supporting students as they move toward increasingly complex work. Guides (our word for teachers) carefully observe students, track progress, and invite them to receive new lessons when they are ready. Students move through the curriculum at their own pace. The presentation of new concepts follows the child’s personal growth, rather than a predetermined timetable. The method is a response to a universal plea among children: “I want to learn, but help me to do it myself.”

Position Summary:
Breakthrough Montessori PCS seeks Montessori Primary assistants who are dedicated to public Montessori and excited to help shape this transformational school. Our founding team will operationalize our breakthrough model of all-day, fully-implemented public Montessori.

Under the direction of the Director of Curriculum & Instruction, the Assistant works with the classroom Guide as (s)he plans and provides appropriate learning experiences for students. (S)he assists the Guide in preparing a structured, student-centered learning environment conducive to the intellectual, physical, social and emotional development of all children; monitors and evaluates student development and outcomes; communicates and interacts with students, parents, staff and community; works within the Montessori pedagogical scheme to develop and modify instructional plans and materials to meet the needs of all students; maintains appropriate records; follows required procedures and practices and monitors appropriate use and care of equipment, materials and facilities.

Responsibilities

Assist in the planning, implementation and coordination of the Montessori classroom

Maintain a prepared learning environment according to the developmental and curricular specifications outlined in the Montessori Scope & Sequence

Knowledge of the nomenclature associated with Montessori materials and an understanding of how to support children with their use

Set limits and boundaries and maintain appropriately high standards for child behavior in the Montessori context

Observe student activity and base lesson support on observed needs and interests as well as knowledge of previous lessons given

Participate in weekly group coaching meetings

Ability to complete record keeping tasks for needs of the individual child as well as the group

Knowledge of literacy programming and ability to support reading growth through multiple methods as needed, including working with students individually or in small groups, assessing reading level and reinforcing skills or concepts presented by guide

Communicate effectively with colleagues and school leadership team

Communicate effectively with parents/families, under the guidance of the classroom Guide, to help them understand the details and implementation of the Montessori approach

Provide a spirit of hospitality at school gatherings, occasional public events, and ongoing family engagement events

Participate in other school functions as requested by the Executive Director

Exhibits:
self-discipline

independence

responsibility

grace and courtesy

respect for others

care of environment

care of self

community building

Requirements

Bachelor‘s degree required

Classroom assisting experience, preferably in a Montessori environment and/or with young children

Experience collaborating and working as an assistant

Enthusiasm and commitment to our vision and mission

Creative, energetic and nurturing personality

Organizational and interpersonal skills

Excellent oral and written communication skills

Experience with families from diverse backgrounds

Fluency in a language other than English is a plus

Please submit application material as either a Word document or a PDF. References upon request.