Assistant Toddler/Preschool Teacher Floater

Nia House is a Montessori program serving families of diverse backgrounds in the Berkeley area. This school is an equity opportunity employer. The school is committed to a diverse workforce. Bilingual/bicultural, BIPOC folks, queer individuals and people that reflect our community are strongly encouraged to apply.

Job Description

The assistant teacher will provide support to the head teachers, helping to implement the Montessori philosophy and curriculum. This job starts immediately with training and observation and beginning as soon as possible. This job will include work with children as young as 18 months through 3 years and occasionally as old as 6 years.

We are seeking full time support, between the hours of 9:30-5:30 (may change depending on programmatic needs). We are seeking an individual who has energy to commit to their classroom/ the school, during work hours. Your interest and application for this position indicates that you are willing to meet all major responsibilities and that you acknowledge all qualifications as well as compensation. School life is SO ENJOYABLE when we work as a team. If you’re interested in being part of our team, please complete the application in full. See the bottom section: TO APPLY.

Major Responsibilities

-Uphold workplace professionalism including- arrive at work on time

-Develop and implement outdoor activities

-Supervise lunch, nap, outdoor play and indoor activities as needed

-Willing to learn about and implement the tenets of positive discipline

-Assist with children’s toileting and diaper changing (willingness to learn more about Montessori toileting procedures)

-Manage both small and large groups of children through transition times

-Implement music/ dance/ finger plays/ games in small and large group circles (skills can be learned on the job, must be willing to learn)

-Assist with the creation of new Montessori materials (again, skills can be learned on the job, must be willing to learn)

-Maintain an orderly, safe and clean environment

-Wash the indoor environment as needed, tidy outdoor environment as needed (includes garden/animal work)

-Contribute to the observation and evaluation of individual children’s progress

-Assist with the implementation of independent conflict resolution between children and creatively use logical consequences as needed

Qualifications

12 units of early childhood education, or currently enrolled

Availability from 9:30-5:30

Willingness to study and learn Montessori philosophy independently, and from current teachers, and to participate in staff meetings and community events

Ability to stand for a significant portion of the work day, squat, sit on the floor and to lift 40 pounds regularly

Willingness to be creative, accepting, respectful, and honor the independence and capabilities of young children

Compensation

-Starting salary $50,000

-28 Paid School Holidays + 12 Personal Vacation Days (=40 paid days off each year) + 12 Paid Sick Days

-Hourly pay depends on level of education, and experience, with 3%+ increase after 1 year, pending evaluation

-Full employer paid benefit packages ranging from $7,000-$13,000 including employee health and dental coverage, effective immediately for all employees working 36 hours per week or more

-Life insurance and retirement contributions after 1 year for all employees working 36 hours per week or more

-Employer paid continuing education opportunities + Professional development

-An added bonus- we have a strong staff of committed, loving, friendly and skilled teachers. If you join our school, you will have the added benefit of enjoying a welcoming community of working teachers, children and parents! We are looking for like-minded, open-hearted individuals who truly share our Montessori values of peace and liberty through early education.

Start Date of: 2025

To Apply:

Please do NOT call about the job.

Email cover letters and resumes directly to the Craigslist posting.

Please include phone numbers and possibly emails of: 2 professional references from supervisors and 1 personal reference. We will consult with you prior to calling your references.

If you don’t hear from us, please assume we’ve filled our position. Thanks for your interest and understanding. We will hold onto all eligible candidates’ resumes and may call/ email you back for a different position or opening, depending on programmatic needs.

The teachers and community members often participate in the school’s hiring process.

Thank you so much for taking the time to review our job postings.