Primary Classroom Assistant —

Job Description Position:

Primary Classroom Assistant Program:

Primary — approximately ages 3-6, including

Kindergarten Reports To:

Lead Teacher, Primary Coordinator, and School Administration Location:

Hudson Country Montessori School, Danbury, Connecticut Status:

Full-Time Position Summary The Primary Classroom Assistant works collaboratively with the Lead Teacher to create and maintain a warm, peaceful, orderly, and developmentally appropriate Montessori environment for children approximately 3 through 6 years of age . The Assistant supports the daily functioning of the classroom while helping children develop independence, concentration, coordination, responsibility, social skills, and confidence. The Assistant understands that the Montessori Primary classroom is a mixed-age community in which children are working at different developmental and academic levels and are encouraged to progress at their individual pace. The Assistant works under the direction of the Lead Teacher while developing the ability to recognize classroom needs and respond appropriately without requiring continual direction. Essential Responsibilities Supporting Children & Montessori Practice Treat every child with warmth, patience, dignity, and respect. Support the Lead Teacher in maintaining a calm, orderly, beautiful, and purposeful Montessori environment. Encourage children to do for themselves what they are developmentally capable of doing. Allow children time to attempt, practice, problem-solve, and correct their own work before stepping in. Protect children's concentration and the classroom work cycle by avoiding unnecessary interruptions. Redirect children respectfully when their behavior interferes with another child's work or the classroom community. Model appropriate language, movement, Grace and Courtesy, and respectful social interactions. Support children's increasing responsibility for their belongings, materials, classroom environment, and personal care. Observe children and communicate meaningful academic, developmental, behavioral, social, or emotional observations to the Lead Teacher. Follow the Lead Teacher's direction regarding lessons, materials, classroom routines, individual children, and the Montessori sequence. Recognize that presenting Montessori materials and determining a child's readiness for new lessons are primarily the responsibility of the Montessori Lead Teacher unless otherwise directed. Supporting the Montessori Work Cycle The uninterrupted work cycle is an essential part of the Primary environment. During this time, the Assistant helps protect the conditions that allow children to choose meaningful work, concentrate, repeat activities, receive individual or small-group lessons, and develop independence.

The Assistant will:

Help children select appropriate work when guidance is needed. Encourage children to complete the full work cycle: choose → carry → use → complete → restore . Help maintain quiet, purposeful movement throughout the classroom. Avoid unnecessarily interrupting children who are concentrating. Redirect wandering or disruptive behavior respectfully. Support children who need help getting started without creating dependence on the adult. Restore shelves and materials discreetly throughout the day. Help ensure materials remain complete and ready for the next child. Support the Lead Teacher during individual and small-group presentations by helping maintain the overall classroom environment. Classroom Responsibilities The Assistant shares responsibility for the care and functioning of the classroom and will: Prepare and restore classroom materials and work areas. Maintain orderly and attractive Montessori shelves. Check materials for missing pieces, damage, cleanliness, and completeness. Clean and sanitize classroom materials and surfaces according to school procedures. Assist with preparation of classroom activities and materials. Help maintain art, Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Mathematics, Cultural, Science, Geography, and other classroom areas. Assist with snack and meal routines. Support children in cleaning spills, returning materials, caring for plants, organizing belongings, and maintaining their classroom community. Assist with bathroom and toileting needs when necessary while promoting privacy and independence. Supervise children actively indoors, outdoors, during transitions, and at special activities. Participate in opening and closing classroom responsibilities. Maintain required staff-to-child ratios and appropriate supervision at all times. Independence & Practical Life A central responsibility of a Primary Assistant is to help children become less dependent on adults—not more dependent on them . Before doing something for a child, the Assistant should consider: Can this child do this independently? Can I show them how rather than do it for them? Can I give them a little more time? Assistants should encourage children to independently manage age-appropriate responsibilities such as dressing and undressing, putting on coats and shoes, toileting and handwashing, opening and managing lunch containers, cleaning spills, carrying materials appropriately, rolling and unrolling work mats, returning work to the shelf, managing personal belongings, and caring for the classroom environment. Adults provide assistance when needed but should avoid routinely completing tasks children can reasonably learn to complete themselves. Language, Academics & Learning The Assistant supports the academic environment without replacing the instructional role of the Lead Teacher. Assistants may reinforce skills or work with children as directed by the Lead Teacher but should not independently move children ahead in a Montessori sequence or introduce materials for which they have not been trained or authorized. The Assistant should use rich, accurate language throughout the day and support children's natural curiosity about reading, writing, mathematics, science, geography, culture, and the world around them. Questions such as "What are you working on?" , "What do you notice?" , or "Would you like me to help you get started?" are generally more useful than constantly quizzing children or providing answers for them. Grace, Courtesy & Behavior Support The Primary Assistant models the behavior we expect children to develop.

The Assistant will:

Speak calmly and respectfully. Model appropriate greetings, manners, conflict resolution, and care for others. Help children use words to communicate needs and solve disagreements. Set clear, consistent limits. Redirect behavior respectfully. Help children understand natural and logical consequences. Support children in repairing harm when appropriate. Recognize the difference between developmentally typical behavior, a skill that has not yet developed, and behavior requiring additional intervention. Intervene immediately when necessary for safety. Seek support from the Lead Teacher when behavior is persistent or requires additional intervention. Physical punishment, humiliation, intimidation, threats, shaming, withholding food, or other prohibited disciplinary practices are never permitted. Team Expectations The Primary Classroom Assistant is an active member of the classroom team and should not require the Lead Teacher to continually identify the next task. Hudson staff follow the basic classroom priority: CHILD →

ENVIRONMENT

→ TEAM First, look at the children. Does someone need assistance, redirection, comfort, supervision, or help becoming engaged? Next, look at the environment. Is a material incomplete? Does a shelf need restoring? Is something waiting to be cleaned, prepared, stocked, or put away? Then, look at the team. Is another adult managing several needs? Is there something you can take off their plate? The Assistant is expected to accept direction from the Lead Teacher, communicate respectfully, offer help to coworkers, and contribute positively to the classroom culture. Disagreements or frustrations among adults must be addressed privately and never discussed in front of children or families. Family Relationships The Assistant helps create a welcoming and professional relationship with Hudson families. Assistants should greet families warmly and may share appropriate routine information about a child's day. Questions or concerns involving academic progress, development, behavior patterns, Montessori curriculum, classroom placement, incidents, school policy, or other significant matters should be referred to or discussed with the Lead Teacher or administration before being communicated to families. Confidential information regarding children, families, or staff must never be shared with other families or unauthorized individuals. Professional Expectations Primary Classroom Assistants are expected to maintain reliable attendance and punctuality; participate in required meetings, training, professional development, and school events; maintain required certifications and documentation; follow Hudson policies and applicable Connecticut requirements; maintain confidentiality; use personal cell phones only according to school policy; accept feedback professionally; and demonstrate a willingness to continually learn about Montessori philosophy and child development. Assistants should understand that how adults behave is part of the prepared environment . Our voices, movements, interactions, organization, and relationships with one another provide a daily model for the children. Qualifications Candidates should have a genuine interest in working with children approximately 3-6 years old and an understanding of, or willingness to learn, Montessori philosophy and practice. Experience in Montessori, early childhood education, childcare, preschool, Kindergarten, or a related educational setting is preferred. Coursework or credentials in early childhood education or child development are also preferred. Candidates must meet all applicable Hudson and Connecticut requirements for their position, including required background checks, health and safety training, mandated reporter training, CPR/First Aid requirements, and other required professional development. Physical Requirements Because Primary education is active and hands-on, employees must be able to perform the essential responsibilities of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. These may include sitting and working on the floor, standing and walking for extended periods, bending and kneeling, assisting children when necessary, carrying classroom materials, supervising outdoor play, and responding quickly in an emergency. What Success Looks Like at Hudson A successful Primary Classroom Assistant understands that their job is not simply to watch children or help the teacher . They are an important part of maintaining the conditions in which Montessori education can happen. They notice what needs attention without constantly waiting to be told. They know when to step in—and when to step back. They protect concentration. They help children solve problems rather than immediately solving problems for them. They maintain the beauty and order of the environment. They support the Lead Teacher's lessons and observations. They know the children well and contribute positively to the classroom team. Most importantly, their work helps Hudson's Primary children become increasingly independent, capable, curious, respectful, confident, and responsible members of their classroom community.

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$18.00 - $24.00 per hour

Work Location:

In person