Montessori Teaching Assistant

Purpose Statement

The job of Montessori Teaching Assistant is done for the purpose/s of working directly with the Lead Montessori teacher to assist in establishing and maintaining a peaceful classroom environment. The teaching assistant will work to prepare and maintain the Montessori prepared environment which is orderly and appealing to the young children. Models grace and courtesy while observing behaviors, preserving and protecting lessons, and supporting student growth in independence.

Essential Functions

Assists children in meeting their physical needs (e.g. escorting children to the bathroom, helping find clean clothes, and assisting with changing clothes, as needed, etc.) for the purpose of providing appropriate care and/or developing student's daily living activities and behavioral skills.

Collaborates with the Montessori Teacher around daily routines (e.g. snack preparation, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring the well-being of the students.

Communicates effectively about assigned observations to the Lead Montessori teacher for the purpose of ensuring student academic success.

Follows classroom routines and procedures for the purpose of supporting student success.

Helps children learn to care for the classroom materials, as well as the classroom environment, for the purpose of creating and maintaining a safe, supportive, and well-cared for classroom environment.

Implements behavior strategies and plans, as assigned, for the purpose of assisting student needs, developing new skill and providing a consistent and safe environment.

Maintains accurate and current electronic and paper documentation for each student on caseload for the purpose of complying with any district, state and/or federal reporting requirements.

Maintains classroom equipment, work area, students files/records for the purpose of ensuring availability of items and/or providing reliable information.

Participates in meetings, workshops, inservice presentations and seminars for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information, developing knowledge required to perform job functions and meet district objectives.

Prepares documents in standardized formats for the purpose of providing written documentation and/or conveying information.

Responds to stress and conflict with professionalism for the purpose of maintaining an environment conducive to student learning.

Supervises the classroom when necessary and works with individual children and small groups of children as directed by the Lead Teacher for the purpose of developing new skills, reinforcing learning concepts, and providing a consistent and safe environment.

Other Functions

Assists other personnel as may be required for the purpose of supporting them in the completion of their work activities.

Performs other duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the Montessori program.

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

SKILLS are required to perform multiple, technical tasks with a need to occasionally upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: operating standard office equipment, computer and technology, including using pertinent software applications; multiple platforms; preparing and maintaining accurate records.

KNOWLEDGE is required to perform basic math, including calculations using fractions, percents, and/or ratios; read a variety of manuals, write documents following prescribed formats, and/or present information to others; and understand complex, multi-step written and oral instructions.  Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: stages of child development and learning styles; and age appropriate activities.; concepts of grammar, spelling and punctuation; concepts of grammar, spelling and punctuation.

ABILITY is required to schedule activities, meetings, and/or events; gather and/or collate data; and use basic, job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to work with others in a variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing defined and similar processes; and operate equipment using defined methods. Ability is also required to work with a wide diversity of individuals; work with similar types of data; and utilize specific, job-related equipment. Problem solving is required to identify issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data may require independent interpretation; and problem solving with equipment is limited. Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: communicating with diverse groups including individuals with limited English fluency; motivating students, being patient, maintaining confidentiality; setting priorities; working as part of a team; and working in an instructional environment with frequent interruptions; high level of organization; multi-tasking; maintains professional and ethical standards; adhering to district policies; and regular attendance except when taking approved leave.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include: working under limited supervision following standardized practices and/or methods; providing information and/or advising others; operating within a defined budget. Utilization of some resources from other work units is often required to perform the job's functions. There is some opportunity to effect the organization’s services.

Work Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling,  some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 33% sitting, 33% walking, and 34% standing.  The job is performed in a generally hazard free environment.

Experience:          Job related experience within a specialized field is required.

Education:            Targeted, job related education with study in job-related area.

Equivalency:         Paraeducators working in a Title I building (or district wide), REQUIRE a

                             minimum of 48 college credit hours, OR the successful completion of a

                             state approved Paraeducator Assessment.

Required Testing                                       Certificates and Licenses

                                                                  Valid Driver’s License & Evidence of Insurability

Continuing Educ. / Training                      Clearances

10 - 20 hours of staff development annually   Kansas Bureau of Investigation

                                                                  Kansas Department of Children and Families

                                                                  Physical Exam/TB Screening

FLSA Status                     Approval Date            Salary Grade 

Non Exempt                           06/28/22                         07