Montessori Assistant: Elementary

Job Opportunity: Montessori Assistant- Elementary

Location: Washington, DC 

Department: Academics 

Application Deadline: Until filled 

Employment Type: Full-time

Expected Start Date of Position: August 2026

Reports to: Assistant Principal (Primary or Elementary)

Compensation: Salary starts at $39,000 - $65,195 and will be commensurate with degree and years of experience 

FLSA Status: Exempt 

About Breakthrough Montessori Public Charter School

Breakthrough Montessori Public Charter School’s mission is to provide diverse families in Washington, DC, a public Montessori education designed to enable children to develop within themselves the power to shape their lives and the world around them.  

Founded in 2016, Breakthrough Montessori is a public charter school in Washington, DC. We will serve 388 students in PK3 through grade 6. At Breakthrough Montessori PCS, we believe in the unbounded potential of all children. Students of all races, classes, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and backgrounds deserve a personalized education. 

Our school is grounded in an institutional commitment to development, prevention, and community. We support human development through an uncompromising application of the time-tested Montessori instructional model. We support prevention through early learning, support and intervention, enabling us to quickly and effectively address learning challenges. Finally, we support the community through an intensive approach to family engagement. 

Breakthrough Montessori PCS is committed to equity in all areas of our school’s work. We are a supportive environment that seeks to employ a diverse staff reflective of all genders, races, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, and backgrounds. 

Breakthrough Montessori PCS is a coaching school; all team members receive and give coaching to support professional growth.

Position Summary:

Under the direction of the Assistant Principal, the Montessori Assistant- Elementary  works with the classroom Guide as they plan and provide appropriate learning experiences for students. They assist the Guide in preparing a structured, student-centered learning environment conducive to the intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development of all children; monitor and evaluate student development and outcomes; communicate and interact with students, parents, staff, and community; works within the Montessori pedagogical scheme to develop and modify instructional plans and materials to meet the needs of all students; maintains appropriate records; follows required procedures and practices and monitors appropriate use and care of equipment, materials and facilities.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

The Montessori Assistant- Elementary is a 10-month position. Typical working hours are Mondays from 8:00am-4:30 pm and Tuesday-Friday 8:00am-4:00pm. Responsibilities include the following:

• Assist in the planning, implementation, and coordination of the Montessori classroom 


• Maintain a prepared learning environment according to the developmental and curricular specifications outlined in the Montessori Scope & Sequence


• Knowledge of the nomenclature associated with Montessori materials and an understanding of how to support children with their use


• Set limits and boundaries and maintain appropriately high standards for child behavior in the Montessori context 


• Observe student activity and base lesson support on observed needs and interests as well as knowledge of previous lessons given 


• Participate in weekly group coaching meetings


• Ability to complete record-keeping tasks for the needs of the individual child as well as the group

• Ability and openness to being trained by the Lead Guide to maintain consistent limits and freedoms for students according to the Montessori method

• Knowledge of literacy programming and the ability to support reading growth through multiple methods as needed, including working with students individually or in small groups, assessing the reading level, and reinforcing skills or concepts presented by the guide


• Communicate effectively with colleagues and the school leadership team


• Communicate effectively with parents/families, under the guidance of the classroom Guide, to help them understand the details and implementation of the Montessori approach


• Provide a spirit of hospitality at school gatherings, occasional public events, and ongoing family engagement events


• Participate in other school functions as requested by the Executive Director


• Exhibits: 
  
  
  
  • self-discipline
  
  
  • independence
  
  
  • responsibility
  
  
  • grace and courtesy
  
  
  • respect for others
  
  
  • care of environment
  
  
  • care of self
  
  
  • community building
  
  
  
  

Required Competencies and Qualifications:

• Have a firm commitment to upholding the school’s mission and anti-bias/anti-racist pedagogy.


• Commitment to upholding the confidentiality of students and parents


• Proven ability to work as a member of a diverse team of educators 


• Enthusiasm and commitment to our vision and mission


• Creative, energetic, and nurturing personality


• Organizational and interpersonal skills


• Timeliness and attention to detail


• Ability to communicate effectively with parents 


• Excellent oral and written communication skills


• Fluency in a language other than English is a plus

Education and Experience:

• Experience working with diverse populations of students, parents, and families. 


• Bachelor‘s degree required


• Classroom assisting experience, preferably in a Montessori environment and/or with young children


• Experience collaborating and working as an assistant

Benefits: 

We provide employees with a robust leave policy that includes:

• Paid personal time off


• Paid COVID sick leave


• Paid family leave (in addition to DC paid family leave)


• Paid bereavement leave


• Paid leave for the observation of a religious holiday 

Breakthrough invests heavily in the professional development (PD) of our faculty through:

• A weekly early release schedule with professional development and collaborative planning time from 1:30-4:30 pm every Monday;


• An individual professional development budget of $250/year to pursue additional PD opportunities;


• Conference participation and 


• A Continuing Education grant program that provides grantees up to $20,000 to complete Montessori teacher training, an advanced degree or other license. 

Other benefits include:

• Health, dental, vision


• Retirement (Vanguard Retirement)


• AFLAC


• Educator wellness groups, facilitated by a clinical psychologist.

For information on Breakthrough Montessori PCS, including more information on employee benefits and our company culture, visit our website at www.breakthroughmontessori.org. 

Breakthrough Montessori PCS is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.