Position : Montessori Early Childhood Instructional Aide (6 hour/10 month), 1 Year Appointment

Description:
The Cambridge Public Schools Montessori Program is housed in the Tobin School building with a multi-aged, multi-grade, heterogeneous group of students aged 3 to 7 years old. The program is a full day for all students except the half-day for 3 year olds. The aim of Montessori education is to foster competent, responsible, adaptive learners who are lifelong learners and problem solvers. Montessori classrooms are equipped with a diverse set of materials, which are designed to foster physical, intellectual, creative, and social independence. The classroom atmosphere encourages social interaction for cooperative learning, peer teaching and emotional development. Learning occurs in an inquiring, cooperative, nurturing atmosphere, where students increase their own knowledge through self-initiated experiences.

The Montessori Early Childhood Instructional Aide will report to the Principal and is responsible for assisting the classroom teacher in the implementation of the Massachusetts state frameworks and the American Montessori Society curriculum.

Toileting of students is a duty that an individual may be expected and required to perform as a paraprofessional employed by the Cambridge Public Schools.

This position is available through no later than June 30, 2021.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Experience working with a diverse population of students and parents.
• Be sensitive to the needs of a socio-economically, racially, and linguistically diverse population of students and parents.
• Be able to take directions from classroom teacher, Resource teacher and other support personnel.
• Have an overview of the Montessori philosophy and methodology and/or experience assisting in a Montessori classroom at the appropriate age level or experience working with students ages 3 to 6 years old.
• Must have the physical ability to work on the floor and move around the room to support students and teachers in curriculum implementation, use of manipulatives and other instructional methods and materials.

Education and Training:
Associates degree or 48 college credits. Candidates must have previous Montessori experience or commit to a 5 day training, which consists of the Montessori philosophy and material and curriculum overview and engage in additional professional development throughout the following school year.