Toddler Classroom Assistant

With sixty years of educating Bay Area children and teens and located on two bustling, beautiful campuses in Corte Madera and San Rafael, Marin Montessori School seeks an outstanding assistant guide to support our Toddler program.

This is an especially thrilling time to join Marin Montessori, a school with recognized accreditations from AMI (Association Montessori International) and CAIS (California Association of Independent Schools). With recent articles in the Wall Street Journal and Harvard Business Review touting the benefits of a Montessori education, Bay Area families are increasingly interested in making MMS their long-term school.

Position Summary:

Our Toddler Classroom Assistant works closely with the Lead Teacher/Guide to support the classroom's needs; 12 toddler-aged children (ages 18 months to 36 months) are in our classroom community. The children experience a nurturing, safe, calm, and stimulating authentic Montessori learning environment daily.

This opening is in the half-day Toddler program with children present from 7:30 am until 11:40 am. You will work with your co-workers to transform the space for Primary Additional School Care once children have left for the day. You will spend your afternoons from 1:00 pm until 3:30 pm supporting clerical office needs, supporting other classrooms, and assisting with student dismissal (i.e., may help with afternoon carline).

Hours and Salary: This is a non-exempt, full-time position. This is for the 2023-2024 school year. The start date is immediate; Hours are 7:30 am - 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Marin Montessori School offers a comprehensive benefits package. You will receive a hiring bonus of $1,000, payable in two equal installments: after three months of employment and after six months of employment.

Required Experience, Qualifications, and Attributes:

A minimum of six Early Childhood Education (ECE) units, ability to enroll in and take classes to complete 12 ECE units as soon as possible
Successful criminal background check
Successful employment verification and three reference checks
A collaborative and flexible approach to working with colleagues
Organized with strong attention to detail
Joyful and positive attitude
Genuine interest in and respect for young children
Desire to learn on the job and apply yourself in a dynamic environment

Preferred Experience, Qualifications, and Attributes:

Bilingual (English and Spanish)
Fluent Spanish speaker
12 ECE credits or more
Bachelor's Degree or more
Experience in Montessori Toddler environments
Experience working with young children and knowledge of Montessori education

Physical requirements for the position:

The ability to lift to 40 pounds
Ability to sit on the floor
Ability to get up and down from the floor with ease

Key Responsibilities and tasks in the Toddler classroom include the following:

Observation, supervision, and support of children
Preparing and maintaining the classroom environment
Material making (cutting, laminating, sewing)
Prioritizing classroom needs during the classroom time
Supporting toilet learning
Daily cleaning
Preparing ingredients for food prep and snack prep snack
Gardening
Initiating small group activities, including reading a book and singing, and movement games