Upper Elementary Assistant Teacher

About the Opportunity MCS seeks an experienced educator to work collaboratively under a Lead Teacher in our Upper Elementary program. This is an opportunity to join a talented and committed staffulty and a vibrant community of students during the formative Upper Elementary years (grades 4-6) of their Montessori learning journey. Working in close partnership with the classroom's Lead Teacher, the Co-teacher and the broader Upper Elementary team, the Assistant Teacher helps curate a welcoming, orderly, beautiful, and resource-rich environment and supports a high-fidelity Montessori experience each day. In this role, you will foster students' independence, curiosity, social development, and love of learning while contributing to a collaborative, reflective, and joyful classroom culture. Roles & Responsibilities An Elementary Assistant Teacher at MCS performs the following duties: Classroom Environment & Curriculum Support the Lead Teacher in maintaining a beautiful, orderly, and well-prepared Montessori Upper Elementary environment that reflects high standards of care, organization, and intentionality. Assist in the daily work cycle, including preparing materials, supporting lessons with strong overview, reinforcing Montessori routines and expectations, and implementing the school's progressive discipline ladder. Deliver small-group and individual lessons as directed by the Lead Teacher, grounded in the Montessori curriculum and aligned with the school's curriculum maps and pacing guides. Build warm, respectful, and trusting relationships with students, supporting a classroom culture that fosters equity, agency, confidence, community, and belonging. Reinforce age-appropriate social-emotional learning, helping students practice regulation, collaboration, and problem-solving throughout the day. Support students in developing executive functioning skills, independence, and conflict-resolution strategies consistent with Montessori practices; support the management of individual students' behavior support plans in partnership with the Student Support team. Help maintain a classroom environment that ensures safety, consistency, and predictability; uphold school-wide behavioral expectations and support the implementation of progressive discipline. Participate in required supervision duties (recess, lunch, arrival/dismissal) in compliance with California labor regulations regarding rest and meal breaks. Partner with the Lead Teacher and Director of Operations to prepare, organize, and manage classroom materials and supplies within established budgets and procurement guidelines. Observation & Record-Keeping Under the direction of the Lead Teacher, monitor students' academic and developmental progress through observation and documentation, utilizing observations, assessment data (e.g., NWEA MAP Growth), and daily classroom insights to inform instructional support and student scaffolding. Assist with conference preparation and documentation for family conference cycles as needed. Family Engagement Support a culture of positive, respectful, and professional communication with parents and caregivers. Follow school-wide communication protocols when sharing student information. Greet families warmly during arrival, dismissal, and school events, helping foster strong home-school partnerships. Assist with classroom communications, family events, and visitations as requested by the Lead Teacher. Participate in the broader life of the school community, including occasional evening events and occasional weekend commitments (e.g. Back-to-School Night, Elementary Info Night, MCS Town Hall). Support and chaperone classroom field trips, overnight outdoor education experiences (include annual week-long overnight trips to Yosemite NatureBridge, CIMI, AstroCamp, etc.), and family events as assigned, including assisting with supervision and logistics. Teamwork & Professional Learning Embody MCS's core values in daily interactions with students, families, and colleagues. Work collaboratively with the Lead Teacher and classroom team, contributing to a positive, reflective, and growth-oriented environment. Seek and embrace opportunities for professional growth, including learning from feedback, observation, and collaboration with colleagues. Communicate openly and professionally with supervisors regarding classroom needs, student support, and personal development goals. Complete all assigned administrative and operational responsibilities accurately and in a timely manner. Qualifications Successful candidates for this role will evidence the following qualifications: Experience & Professional Qualifications A bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university (required) At least three years of experience working in an elementary or middle school classroom (required) Excellent command of spoken and written English (required) Strong command of classroom management techniques that align to the positive discipline philosophy (required) Prior experience working in a Montessori classroom a plus (preferred, not required) Special education credential or RBT certification a plus (preferred, not required) Mindsets & Skills Commitment to MCS' mission, vision and core values Demonstrated capacity to collaborate effectively as a member of a results-oriented, high-performing team, including monthly whole-staffulty meetings and professional development days throughout the school year Passion for serving children with diverse learning needs Commitment to living out principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging Sound professional judgment and decision-making skills Capacity to share and receive and implement feedback with grace and agility High level of emotional intelligence, integrity and humor High level of personal organization, planning and follow-through Essential Job Functions The physical demands described here represent essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. The role is performed primarily in a school setting and requires the physical stamina necessary to engage with elementary-aged children throughout the day. Duties include frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, crouching, stooping, reaching, and sitting at children's level, including teaching full lessons while seated on the classroom floor. The position requires the ability to lift, carry, push, or pull items weighing up to 50 pounds, such as classroom materials or emergency supplies, and to assist a child if needed for safety purposes. The employee must be able to use hands and fingers to handle or manipulate materials, including Montessori materials of various sizes, shapes, and textures. The employee must be able to move quickly and safely in response to student behaviors or emergency situations, both indoors and outdoors. Vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus, necessary for observing children, reading instructional materials, and using a computer. Hearing and speaking abilities are required to communicate clearly with students, staff, and parents; give instructions; participate in meetings; and respond to safety concerns or emergencies. The employee is regularly exposed to indoor and outdoor environmental conditions, including varying weather, moderate noise levels, and the typical hazards associated with supervising active children. The role requires daily direct interaction with students, including close physical proximity, to provide instruction, guidance, redirection, and classroom management. The position requires the ability to lead, participate in and supervise day and overnight field trips, including camping trips, as part of the educational program. Regular in-person communication and collaboration with parents, colleagues, administrators, and other members of the school community is required. All MCS employees must clear a DOJ/FBI background check (LiveScan), must provide a negative TB test, must know the school emergency procedures, and must perform other duties not specifically stated as directed by the Head of School.