Are you passionate about education? Looking to make a difference in a diverse community? Eager to learn more about the Montessori model? Magnolia Montessori For All, Austin’s first and only free public Montessori school, might be the right fit for you! MMFA is seeking a caring, nurturing and enthusiastic Assistant Teacher/Paraprofessional to work with our special education students in early childhood education (pre-k/kindergarten) .
About Us:
In Austin, there are dozens of private Montessori schools providing opportunities for children to reach their extraordinary potential within an environment that promotes innovation, creativity, critical thinking, academic rigor, and peace. These options tend to be in more affluent areas, and they are too expensive for the majority of families living in Austin.
Montessori For All seeks to change that. We endeavor to open and lead free, high-performing, authentic Montessori schools that partner with families to help children in diverse communities reach their extraordinary potential intellectually, emotionally, socially, creatively, culturally, and physically, so that they can pursue lives full of meaning and joy.
Magnolia Montessori For All, opened in East Austin in August 2014.
Our Pillars:
- Focus on Leadership:We strive to cultivate the leaders of tomorrow. We teach by example and constantly model living with integrity and courage, eagerly learning, appreciating and showing gratitude, demonstrating persistence, excelling, and respecting and helping others and the environment.
- Education for the Whole Child:We help children grow academically, intellectually, socially, emotionally, culturally, creatively, and physically by providing an authentic Montessori education that includes multi-age classrooms, engaging hands-on materials, an emphasis on intrinsic motivation, student-led projects, acquisition of a second language, rigor, and learning beyond the classroom that prepares children for high school, college, the 21stcentury and lives as leaders in their families and communities.
- Teachers as Leaders and Innovators:Our teachers are empowered to shape curriculum and school culture and contribute to ongoing developments in the field of education through research and the dissemination of knowledge.
- Families as Partners:We partner with families to provide the most nurturing environment to help children grow into their fullest potential, so that they can pursue lives full of meaning and joy.
- Continuous Improvement:We strive for continuous growth through a process of Assessing→Analyzing→Acting. We hold ourselves and others to high expectations, engage in self-reflection, and take personal responsibility for ensuring success for each and every child.
- Diversity and Teamwork:We believe that children learn best in racially, culturally, and socio-economically diverse environments, so that they are prepared to act as global citizens and leaders. As such, we commit to working together to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all members of our diverse community.
Our Ideal Candidate:
As a start-up charter organization that is serving a diverse group of children and families in an urban setting, we are looking for people who will thrive in our fast-paced, innovative, and often challenging environment. In order to succeed here, candidates must be:
- Able to persevere in the face of everyday challenges, both big and small
- Motivated to work in a social justice-oriented organization, which includes reflecting on our own racial biases and developing a culturally responsive curriculum for our classrooms
- Mission-driven and prepared to work urgently toward closing the opportunity gap and ending educational inequity through achievement of student outcomes
- Invested in the Montessori approach to education as truly transformational, both for the child and the world
- Comfortable interacting with diverse families and have experience with creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all
Requirements & Qualifications:
- High-school diploma
- Experience working with pre-k and kindergarten special education students
- Experience working with children with autism.
Preferred:
- Bilingual in English and Spanish
Benefits from Working with Our Team & Community:
- Participation in a growth and leadership program that uses goal-setting, reflection, and mentoring to cultivate the knowledge, skills, and mindsets necessary for success.
- A family-friendly work environment with onsite childcare (for a fee) and automatic enrollment for children of staff into the infant through 7th grade program (if a spot is available).
- Ample time for professional development that is built into the week and year.
- Vacation time spread out through the year, including a Fall Break, Winter Break, and Spring Break.
- Comprehensive benefits package.
- A collaborative, supportive, and joyful team and community.
- Hourly salary of $18/hr; $27/hr for any pre-approved overtime hours
Responsibilities:
- This role is in a self contained special education class
- Response to behaviors
- The work day is from 7:30am-4:00pm Monday through Friday with an unpaid 30-minute lunch break.
- The Assistant will help the lead guide prepare the environment, monitor students, support positive classroom behaviors, make copies, answer emails, complete documentation, support student learning, care for materials/supplies, attend professional development, attend parent conferences as needed, and complete other duties as requested.
- Monday through Thursday from 7:30am-4:00pm is spent with a classroom community. On Fridays, you are in your classroom community until 2pm and then you alternate between supporting our afterschool care program until 4pm or participating in professional development.
- Assistant Teachers are responsible for supervising lunch in the classrooms, in addition to leading activities during P.E./recess.
Our Schedule & Calendar:
- Assistants Teachers arrive by 7:30am. Once a week, they check-in with their lead guides from 7:30am-8am.
- Each day, family arrival time is from 7:45-8:00am. Children head directly to their classrooms to greet their community and begin the day.
- Departure time is from 3:15-3:45pm (Children’s House) and 3:30-3:45pm (Elementary). On Fridays, school departure is at 1:45pm, so staff can meet in Professional Learning Communities from 2:00-4:00pm.
- School starts approximately three weeks before the local school district. Professional development begins two weeks prior to that.
- We follow a modified schedule with 1-2 week breaks in October, November, December, and March, as well as 6-7 weeks of summer break for guides. Approximately 1-2 days of Fall Break and Spring Break will be devoted to Professional Development.
Application Process:
- Step One: Submit an application that includes the following components:
- Resume
- Step Two:Selected candidates will be invited to the semifinal round, which includes completing a performance task related to the roles and responsibilities of the position. Final details of what to expect during this round will be sent to selected participants.
- Step Three:Upon completion of the semifinal round, selected candidates will be invited to the final round. The final round will consist of an onsite interview with the leadership team, guides, and families.
- Final Verification:Reference check
Statement of Non-Discrimination:
Montessori For All is committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of its relations with its applicants, staff members, and families, without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, military status, pregnancy, or parenthood. People of diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $18.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
