Teacher Assistant for Early Childhood (Ages 2.5 - 6)

The Montessori School of Durham seeks an Early Childhood Assistant Teacher for children ages 2.5 to 6 years to work with a credentialed Montessori teacher. Experience working with children is required, and previous Montessori experience is preferred. Applicants must be responsible, willing to learn Montessori methods, and dedicated to working in a faculty-responsible school. This is a full-time, 10-month, salaried position, with a full benefit package. Hours are approximately 7:50 a.m. to approximately 3:30 p.m. weekdays, beginning in August 2025. References, and a background check are required. Minimum salary starts at $38,000.

Daily Duties of an Early Childhood Assistant Teacher

There is so much involved in having a prepared classroom. While the tasks below are primarily the duties of the Assistant Teacher, the Teacher is aware of and generally participates in them as well. Optimally the Assistant Teacher and Teacher form a partnership and develop a flow for maintaining a truly prepared environment.

Many of these tasks can be performed instead by the children, as part of their care of the environment, and the listing here of those tasks is not meant to take away the joy of that responsibility from the students.

BEFORE CLASS (7:50-8:15am)

Floors swept, including bathroom; carpets vacuumed
Sponges dampened, water work refreshed
Trays cleaned
Shelves straightened
Sources checked
∙paper in various areas
∙pencils
∙refillables (soap, cups, snack shelf, paper supplies, art materials, etc.)

DROP OFF (8:15-8:30am)

Assist children from their car into the playground area or classroom

SNACK (varies among classrooms)

Peruse snack to plan appropriate portion size
Include host/ess in preparation
Choose functional serving utensils for each food
General procedure is to send extra snack home with host/ess
Clean all snack dishes
Wipe down snack table
Wash out compost bucket
Regularly empty drain racks and put away dry dishes
Leave sinks clean and ready for the next person
Leave kitchen area clean and ready for the next person

GROUP TIMES

Be conscious of children’s needs, including: dressing/undressing, behavior at group, readying for group
Model appropriate group behavior (sitting quietly and attentively, participating as appropriate)
Remain aware of dynamics and quietly intervene as is determined to be appropriate by lead

WORK TIME

Stay conscious of children in regards to care and respect/grace and courtesy
General classroom management -- remind children to . . .
- work quietly
- push in chairs
- roll up rugs
- get work ready for the next person
- clean up spills

Observe & take notes
Give lessons as directed by lead
Remain mentally engaged in classroom process
Take responsibility for increasing understanding of materials and lessons – Exploring and practicing are necessary and lovely ways to further this

DISMISSAL – tasks to be shared among all 3 Assistants - (12-12:10pm)

Ensure children are getting to and staying seated at picnic tables
Stay near picnic tables to help children move promptly to the gate when car arrives

AFTER CLASS (after 12:10)

Straighten shelves
Wipe down tables
Empty wastebaskets
Check in with lead to review morning as necessary

REGULARLY

Dust all shelves, windowsills, racks, etc. every 2-3 weeks.
Wash art mats
Vacuum shoe cubbies
Scrub kitchen sinks
Check through the refrigerator