Harmony Montessori is seeking a Primary assistant for the 2026-27 school year! This person would join an established classroom of 20 children ages 2.5 through Kindergarten. This position involves working collaboratively with the lead guide to provide a thoughtful and joyful environment for all children, embracing inclusion with cultural and social diversity.
Our school proudly participates in Preschool for All and Preschool Promise ensuring that quality preschool is accessible to all children including neurodivergent learners. Our classroom assistants are an integral part of creating a joyful and curious community. Assistants support the Lead Guides and children in the daily flow of the classroom. This can include co-regulating with children, offering sensory breaks, classroom tidiness and regular cleaning, diapering/bathroom support, material making, and engagement with the outdoor environment.
This Job starts August 19th. Preference for candidate who can work 9am to 5:30pm. Possible Summer employment also available.
Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities Necessary:
Communication: Ease in communicating with individuals from diverse educational and cultural backgrounds, including those who are English language learners. Fluency or emerging fluency in languages such as Spanish, Vietnamese, Cantonese, or Somali is advantageous
Classroom Collaboration: Ability to follow guidance from classroom lead while also demonstrating capability to be independent in day-to-day tasks.
Classroom Flexibility: Willingness to be a support to an adaptable and fluid prepared environment that meets the variable day-to-day needs of the children
Sensory Tolerance: Ability to tolerate children's frequent noises (variable volume/decibels), various odors, and diaper changes. Some children in our environment can be unpredictable in their need for movement and in sensory seeking activities, confidence and flexibility to make accommodations and/or modifications to meet these needs of children is necessary.
Classroom Presence: Maintain a positive, consistent, and calm presence in the classroom in any scenario
Reliability and Dependability: Demonstrates reliability, consistency, and dependability.
Professional Growth: Passion and excitement for professional development. 24 hours of continuing education, paid for by HMS, is required.
Physical Abilities: Significant physical abilities include mobility in the classroom: lifting/carrying up to 80lbs.
Required Qualifications and Trainings:
- Current registration in the Central Background Registry (CBR). Number will be required for interview
- Please be prepared to share your ORO step level and Central Background Registry number
- Required Child Care Trainings via Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC):
- Introduction to Child Care Health & Safety
- Recognizing & Reporting Child Abuse & Neglect
- Current Pediatric First Aid & CPR
- Current Food Handlers Certificate
- Foundations for Learning
- Enrollment in the Oregon Registry - my.oregonregistryonline.org
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience in a preschool environment / licensed child care: Teacher Qualified preferred
- Fluency or proficiency in any of the following languages is a benefit: Spanish, Vietnamese, Cantonese, Ukrainian, or an Eastern African language, such as Tigrinya or Somali
- Knowledge of Montessori, or other Early Childhood philosophy (Reggio Emilio, RIE, Waldorf, Constructivist Education, etc)
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $23.20 - $30.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
License/Certification:
- Central Background Registry (CBR) number (Required)
Shift availability:
Ability to Commute:
- Portland, OR 97233 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Portland, OR 97233: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
