Montessori Assistant Teacher: Centralia, WA Centralia, Washington

Centralia, Washington, United States

As Montessori Assistant Teacher (internally titled Assistant Teacher II) for Bezos Academy, you share our passion for early childhood education and the Montessori method, drawing your energy from working in a child-initiated learning process. Your responsibilities will include assisting lead teachers in developing and implementing a program that promotes the cognitive, language, emotional, social, and physical development of each child. Drawing on your previous experience working with young children, you will support lead teachers in high-quality, tuition-free, Montessori-inspired programs in our growing network of preschools in under–resourced communities.

• School schedules vary depending on community needs but generally range from 8 am‑5:30 pm, with teachers staggered across these hours with varying start and end times totaling no more than 8 hours per day. Your specific schedule will be determined with your school leader when considering all staff, classroom, and community needs.
• This is a full-time (40 hours per week), benefits‑eligible, non‑exempt/hourly position.
• Compensation for this position is $26‑$36 per hour (~$54,000 - $74,000 annually). The upper third of the compensation range is typically reserved for existing employees who have been in the role for multiple years and demonstrate strong performance over time.
  Starting compensation will vary with prior experience and qualifications but is estimated at $29‑$32 per hour.
• This role includes 32 paid days of scheduled breaks, 3 paid days of personal time off, 9 paid days of sick (care) time, 10 paid holidays, and additional time off if required by applicable law. Benefits for this role include medical, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, a 401(k) plan with a 4% employer contribution match, paid parental leave, an employer‑matched flexible spending account for dependent care, and more.

• Meet one of the following criteria:
  • Four years of professional experience as an aide, assistant, or lead teacher of children from infancy to third grade
  • Two years of professional experience as an aide, assistant, or lead teacher of children from infancy to third grade AND an associate’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., child development, early childhood education)
  • Bachelor’s degree
• Primary Montessori teaching credential from a MACTE‑accredited institution or on track to obtain one within two years of hire
  • If you do not hold a Primary Montessori teaching credential from a MACTE‑accredited institution, you will be eligible to complete the Bezos Academy Montessori Primary teacher coursework, provided at no cost
• Ability to pass background checks, tuberculosis screenings, and trainings required by the state of Washington to supervise children independently
• Ability to independently supervise, communicate effectively with, and care for young children safely, including ability to lift a minimum of 40 lbs
• Access to reliable transportation to and from work and ability to consistently attend work as scheduled to ensure proper staff‑to‑child classroom ratios and support smooth school operations

• Associate’s degree or higher in education or related field
• Experience teaching in a Montessori preschool
• Professional experience working with young children with special needs
• Experience working with children and families in low‑income areas

* NOTE:

The combination of responsibilities may vary based on the needs of the school site, students, and prior experiences of the Montessori Assistant Teacher. Some Montessori ATs will provide support across an entire school rather than be assigned to a single classroom.

Instructional

• Support the lead teacher in preparing and delivering instructional activities that facilitate active Montessori learning experiences
• Assist in presenting individual and small‑group Montessori lessons, adapting activities to meet each child’s developmental stage and interests
• Observe each child daily to assess skills, interests, and needs and use this information to facilitate learning and growth
• Encourage the development of early literacy, math,…