The Assistant Teacher position at Ithaca Montessori School (IMS) requires love, patience, and respect for children. Assistant Teachers must have the ability to encourage children to be independent and model appropriate manners and behaviors while supporting the programming being executed by their Lead Teacher. Assistant Teachers support children in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth following the philosophies of Maria Montessori by performing the duties described below. Assistant Teachers support their Lead Teachers in modeling the IMS Mission and Values and Montessori principles for the children and families of the children in their classroom.

Basic Qualifications:

• Education and Experience to meet the New York State Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) Assistant Teacher Requirements as follows:
• High School Diploma or Equivalent OR
• One year of experience working with children less than 13 years old
• Educational background in Early Childhood, Child Development or related field is preferred
• Pass all background checks required by OCFS
• Meets school / state health requirements, including TB test, immunizations, and physical.
• Able to lift 50 pounds.
• Able to squat, stand, and sit for 2 hours or more at a time.

Duties and Responsibilities:

General:

• Arrive promptly on a daily basis to prepare the classroom for children’s arrival.
• Be responsible for any school keys assigned, reporting their loss immediately to administration.
• Understand and promote the school’s mission, purposes, objectives, and policies to families in a positive and supportive manner.
• Be responsible for the welfare, safety and educational achievements of students.
• Attend appropriate Staff, Level, and Classroom Meetings, Professional Development Sessions, Community Events, and Parent Education Nights.
• Maintaining an ongoing 30 hours of professional development every two years in accordance with OCFS regulations.
• Assist in the completion and maintenance of all records, reports, evaluations and student records.
• Other duties as assigned.

Safety:

• Understand and ensure compliance of all OCFS regulations, including ensuring that children are supervised at all times, that proper ratios of staff to children are maintained at all times, and that children are signed in and out of the school program as they arrive and depart.
• Ensure children are released only to individuals designated as authorized transporters.
• Assist in maintaining a clean, orderly and attractive Montessori environment.
• Perform cleaning tasks as required.

Curriculum:

• Assist in preparation of the classroom environment throughout the year, ensuring shelves are appropriately stocked with materials and supplies to allow children to choose various activities.
• Support the classroom Lead Teacher in classroom maintenance and curriculum presentation to students.
• Support the classroom by assisting in tone-keeping and child management.
• Assist in supporting the children in material and behavioral choices.

Communications:

• Communicate any concerns regarding children to the Program Director and be prepared to meet and discuss openly with the family.
• Communicate professionally and in a timely manner with parents.
• Communicate professionally and in a timely manner with Administration.