Toddler Assistant Teacher (Georgetown, KY)
Children’s Montessori School of Georgetown
Children’s Montessori School is a state-licensed program for Montessori students, ages 18 months-Kindergarten. Our school provides a supportive Montessori preschool education for children in the community. Our school strives to guide each student on their path of development by providing a carefully prepared environment that nurtures the mind, body, and spirit of each individual.
Position Description
We are looking for a qualified individual to fill the role of an Toddler Assistant in our Montessori Toddler Program, Monday through Friday, in our 12-month program.
The position of Toddler Assistant requires appreciation, patience, and respect for children, coupled with an optimistic outlook.
Encouragement of the child’s independence while modeling appropriate manners and behaviors is necessary. Within the Montessori philosophy, the Toddler Assistant will also contribute by supporting the lead teachers and students through activities promoting the child’s social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development.
In addition to academic enrichment, guiding social, and emotional growth of students is of primary importance. The lessons, activities, and classroom environment should encourage creativity, teamwork, empathy, a sense of community, and respect for oneself and others.
Core Values
Respect, Honesty, Responsibility, Compassion, Awareness, Kindness
Toddler Assistant Responsibilities
The Toddler Assistant will be responsible for:
- Supporting the lead teachers/assistant teachers with general classroom duties (preparation of snack, set up of classroom, providing staff with work breaks, and clerical duties)
- Assisting in the supervision of children in the classroom, during meals, on the playground, in the bathroom (diapering and toileting assistance is required)
- Maintaining a safe, healthy, and caring environment for toddlers
- Assisting with housekeeping duties (laundry, dishes, sweeping, mopping, sanitizing of furniture and materials)
The Toddler Assistant is required to maintain consistent communication with the Lead Teacher, and Director of the Children’s Montessori School of Georgetown.
Toddler Montessori Philosophy
The toddler classroom requires an adult presence that can allow children to explore with the materials in creative and varied ways.
Each material may inspire something unique for each of the children. It is crucial for the development of the children to allow unlimited exploration (unless the child is in danger or disrespecting (damaging) a work or other classmates). In the toddler classroom, all adults aim to protect the concentration of the children whenever engaged with a material/activity. Part of the purpose of the work in the classroom is to aid children in their ability to problem solve on their own all adults work together to encourage and support this idea. When intervening or working with a child, all adults calmly join the child at his/her level and guide the child by giving them the words or tools necessary to solve the problem. Toddlers are always present in the moment and all adults must work to be fully present in the moment with them. The ability to observe the children without biases or preconceived ideas and to respond to the needs of the children based on these observations is an important tool to be used each day. Supporting the classroom routine and encouraging the children through the challenges of self-care, care of environment, and following through with developmentally appropriate responsibilities are each important parts of the toddler curriculum. This position requires flexibility, a willingness to learn, and the ability to adjust and adapt as circumstances change to fit the needs of the children and the program.
Desired Skills & Attributes
- Passion for working with and for children 18 months-36 months and have a commitment to developing family and community relationships/partnerships
- Must be able to work in a team setting and do well with taking direction from all Teachers
- Understanding of the importance of the Montessori method
- Experience and an openness to modeling appropriate behavior and lessons non-verbally and verbally and to introducing activities to infant/toddler children
- Experience with lesson planning and project development
Toddler Assistant Teacher (Georgetown, KY)
- An encouraging presence that instills a ‘can-do’ feeling within the child; a desire to help the children to do it for themselves
- Patience for both children and adults alike
- Strong leadership, classroom management, behavior management, and respect and care for young children and their families
- Montessori Training and/or Certification or interest in pursuing
- Associate degree, CDA, or higher preferred
Essential Duties and Responsibilities (includes the following w/other duties as assigned)
- Adhere to Children’s Montessori School of Georgetown, Inc. policies and procedures o Every staff member must implement school and classroom procedures, as well as comply with state regulations and
American Montessori Society expectations.
- Provide a safe, healthy environment
- Supporting the Head Teacher in providing the children with a prepared environment and in maintaining a clean and inviting classroom
- General supervision and management of students
- Become knowledgeable with Montessori methods and terminology
- Encourage exploration, creativity, teamwork, understanding, a sense of community, and respect for oneself and others
- Assist with areas to ensure the efficient running of the school and classroom and other duties as assigned
- Support and stimulate the cognitive, social, emotional, physical, and behavioral growth of the students in individual and/or group activities o Teach individual and small group lessons, with guidance of the Head Teacher
- Promote independence through individual work choices and socialization with group work o Prepare and serve snack and lunch while encouraging children to help themselves o Assist students with appropriate toileting processes
- Attend Parent/Teacher conferences as needed
- Establish and maintain consistent communication and cooperative working relationships with Students, Parents, and Co-
Workers—in order to promote partnerships between CMS, its staff, and the community it is serving—and to ensure that CMS staff and families are collaborating to aid each student in her/his development
- Participate in all school open houses, school programs, and staff/team meetings
- This position reports to the Head Teacher and Head of School
Qualifications
- Must have the ability to work with children which includes, but is not limited to: bend, lift, stand, kneel, work on the floor and get up safely from the floor (reasonable assistance if necessary)
- High School Diploma or General Education Development Certificate
- Negative TB certificate
- Infant and Child CPR/ First Aid Certification
- Clear record through Child Abuse and Neglect Check
- Clear record through State Required Background Checks
- Willingness to learn
- Excellent work ethic and attendance
Compensation and Benefits
- Compensation commiserates with education and experience
- CMS is an Initiate AMS Member
- Paid professional Development
- Paid Time Off, accrued over time worked
Job Types: Contract, Full-time
Pay: From $15.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
Application Question(s):
- Willing to undergo a national background check.
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Required)
Experience:
- Childcare: 2 years (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
