Montessori Floating Assistant

Job Description

Salary: Salary starts at $38,500 and will be commensurate with degree and years of experience

Job Opportunity: Floating Assistant

Location: Washington, DC

Department: Academics

Application Deadline: Until filled

Employment Type: Full-time

Reports to: Principal

Compensation: Salary starts at $38,500 and will be commensurate with degree and years of experience

FLSA Status: Exempt

About Breakthrough Montessori Public Charter School

Breakthrough Montessori Public Charter School's mission is to enable children to develop within themselves the power to shape their lives and the world around them.

Founded in 2016, Breakthrough Montessori is a public charter school in Washington, DC. In the 2024-25 school year, we will serve over 388 students in PK3 through grade 6. At Breakthrough Montessori PCS, 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 in an institutional commitment to development, prevention, and community. We support human development through a strict application of the time-tested Montessori instructional model. We support prevention through early learning, support, and intervention, enabling us to quickly and effectively address learning challenges. Finally, we support the community through an intensive approach to family engagement.

Breakthrough Montessori PCS is committed to equity in all areas of our school's work. We believe in the unbounded potential of all children. Therefore, we are a supportive environment that seeks to employ a diverse staff reflective of all genders, races, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, and backgrounds.

Breakthrough Montessori PCS is a coaching school; all team members receive and give coaching to support professional growth.

Position Summary:

Under the direction of the Principal, the Floating Assistant works with the classroom team on an as-needed basis to cover for others who cannot be in their classes due to absences and other needs as (s)he plans and provides appropriate learning experiences for students. They assist the team in preparing a structured, student-centered learning environment conducive to the intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development of all children; monitor and evaluate student development and outcomes; communicate and interact with students, parents, staff, and community; work 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. When not covering for others, he or she follows a system of tasks created by the Principal to support classrooms and individual students around the school.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

This is a 10-month position. Typical working hours are Mondays from 8:00am-4:30 pm and Tuesday-Friday 8:00am-4:00pm. Responsibilities include the following:

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

Oversee before care

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

Observe student activity and base level of support on observed needs and interests

Communicate effectively with colleagues and the 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

Other duties as assigned

Required Competencies and Qualifications:

Have a firm commitment to upholding the school’s mission and anti-bias/anti-racist pedagogy.

Commitment to upholding the confidentiality of students and parents

Proven ability to work as a member of a diverse team of educators

Enthusiasm and commitment to our vision and mission

Creative, energetic, and nurturing personality

Organizational and interpersonal skills

Excellent oral and written communication skills

Fluency in a language other than English is a plus

Education and Experience

Experience working with diverse populations of students, parents, and families.

Bachelor‘s degree in applicable field preferred

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

Experience collaborating and working as an assistant

Benefits:

We provide employees with a robust leave policy that includes:

Paid personal time off

Paid COVID sick leave

Paid family leave (in addition to DC paid family leave)

Paid bereavement leave

Paid leave for the observation of a religious holiday

Breakthrough invests heavily in the professional development (PD) of our faculty through:

A weekly early release schedule with professional development and collaborative planning time from 1:30-4:30 pm every Monday;

An individual professional development budget of $250/year to pursue additional PD opportunities;

Conference participation and

A Continuing Education grant program that provides grantees up to $20,000 to complete Montessori teacher training, an advanced degree or other license.

Other benefits include:

Health, dental, vision

Retirement (Vanguard Retirement)

AFLAC

Educator wellness groups, facilitated by a clinical psychologist.

For information on Breakthrough Montessori PCS, including more information on employee benefits and our company culture, visit our website at

Breakthrough Montessori PCS is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.