Spruce Pine Montessori School
Job Description
Job Title: Elementary Assistant Teacher
Reports To: Elementary Lead Teacher
Status: exempt
EXPECTATIONS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES: Promotes the image of the school and supports its mission, vision, and goals by exhibiting the following behavior: excellence, competence, innovation, collaboration, respect, resourcefulness, flexibility, and accountability. Uses positive and professional language and exhibits loyalty to the school at all times. All employees must be punctual and ready to greet children when they arrive. Tardiness and absenteeism is not acceptable.
SUMMARY: Assistant Teachers
Assistant teachers assist the lead teacher in providing a warm, nurturing and safe environment where self-direction is enhanced, independence encouraged and individuality respected. Assistant teachers meet the emotional, physical, intellectual and social needs of both the individual and the group in the following areas: classroom environment, management, and professionalism. Assistant teachers follow the direction of the lead teacher and report to the lead teacher. In the Elementary program, assistant teachers must support lessons that include the Big Bang Theory and Evolution.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES include the following; others may be assigned:
- Implements curriculum set forth by lead teacher
- Is responsible for the safety and physical well-being of the children at all times
- Adheres to professional standards as an educator for the purpose of maintaining quality and excellence
- Follows all policies and procedures of the school as written in the employment and family handbooks
- Helps to prepare and maintain a classroom environment in which the furnishings and materials create an imaginative, nurturing, learning environment and correspond to the needs of the group
- Provides for the learning needs of the individual children
- Protects the privacy and working atmosphere of the class at all times
- Supervises children in the classroom, on the playground, and on field trips at all times
- Supervises children in monthly fire drills
- Helps to maintain current, accurate, individual progress notes, attendance records, incidental notes and weekly overview of class work
- Assists in holding at least two conferences per year with parents
- Assists in on-going communication with parents regarding children’s specific needs and school operational needs
- Participates in meetings with parents and guardians and any other meetings deemed necessary by the Head of School
- Takes responsibility for the care and maintenance of the classroom and teaching materials and equipment. Organize storage of supplies, materials, and activities
- Makes classroom materials as needed
- Reports all accidents or unusual situations to the Head of School and writes a dated report.
- Notifies the Head of School immediately of personal difficulties with children, parents/guardians, or staff members
- Assists with developing other projects, programs, and planning as requested by Head of School
- Supports all school related fundraising projects.
- Coordinates with lead teacher to oversee volunteers and substitute teacher responsibilities.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: At least one year of classroom experience or equivalent such as student teaching. Bachelor's degree preferred. Red Cross training in first aid and CPR, valid NC driver’s license, criminal background check, medical exam and TB test. Basic computer skills required, some knowledge of Montessori philosophy and methodology preferred.
QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The successful candidate must love and respect children and have some experience assisting a dysregulated child; exhibit leadership qualities; have a sense of humor, be friendly and work cooperatively with teams; must be self motivated and have the personality to motivate others, and must be able to set priorities and meet deadlines. This position requires a high level of interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations with a continual need for tact and diplomacy, must be able to manage a wide variety of personalities. Must have excellent decision-making skills. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential tasks.
LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write articles, business correspondence, reports, and procedure manuals. Must have the ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of parents, and the general public; ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints; ability to make effective presentations to public groups.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to assist children with math concepts for Lower Elementary level.
REASONING ABILITY: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out job description. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk. The employee is regularly required to stand, and sit. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $28,586.40 - $38,046.40 per year
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
Work Location: In person
