STUDENT-FWS -Ithaca Montessori School

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Position: Assistant Guide

Reports To: Education Director

Summary:

The Assistant Guide position at Ithaca Montessori School (IMS) requires love, patience, and respect for children. Assistant Guides support and guide children in activities designed to promote social, emotional, physical, and intellectual growth following the philosophy of Maria Montessori by performing the duties described below. 

 

Basic Qualifications:

Education and Experience to meet the New York State Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) Assistant Teacher Requirements as follows:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent 
• One year of experience working with children less than 13 years old
• Educational background in Early Childhood, Child Development, or a related field is preferred
• Pass all background checks required by OCFS
• Meets school/state health requirements: Including TB tests, immunizations, and a physical.
• Able to lift 50 pounds.
• Able to squat, stand, and sit for 2 hours or more at a time.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Montessori Philosophy:

• Gain an understanding of Montessori philosophy through training, mentoring, and the application of skills and knowledge acquired through this process.
• Promote the school’s mission, vision, and values to the IMS community in a positive and supportive manner.
• Be responsible for the welfare, safety, and educational achievements of each child.
• Care for the classroom environment in a way that leaves it clean, organized, well stocked, prepared, and inviting for the children.
• Meet monthly with the classroom team and lead guide to ensure a strong team dynamic and effective communication.
• Observe and record pertinent information regarding the areas of development for each child and share with the classroom team and lead guide promptly.
• Support the classroom Lead Guide in classroom maintenance and curriculum presentations to the children.
• Support the classroom by assisting in tone-keeping and classroom management.
• Assist in supporting the children in material and behavioral choices.
• Assist in the annual classroom material inventory.

Professionalism:

• Arrive on time, ready to work each day.
• Adhere to the guidelines of attendance and time off policies.
• Be committed to fulfilling the obligations of the offer of employment per the dates on the offer letter.
• Adhere to and follow the guidelines regarding the dress code per the IMS Employee Handbook
• Read, review, and comply with all policies of the IMS Employee Handbook.
• Engage with children, families, and staff as an early childhood professional committed to respect, integrity, and kindness toward others.
• Adhere to IMS policies regarding confidentiality.

Safety:

• Read, review, and ensure compliance with all OCFS Day Care Center Regulations. 
• Supervise children at all times. 
• Maintain proper ratios of staff to children at all times.
• Ensure that children are signed in and out of the school program as they arrive and depart.
• Assist in the daily health and wellness checks and form completion in the morning and afternoon.
• Ensure children are released only to individuals designated as authorized transporters.
• Be responsible for any school keys assigned, reporting their loss immediately to the administration.
• Read, review, and comply with all plans and procedures in the IMS Emergency Plan.
• Adhere to all policies and guidance provided in the IMS Health Care Plan regarding health and wellness.
• Serve as a Mandated Reporter if you suspect child abuse or maltreatment.

Training:

• Complete 15 hours of professional development in the first six months of employment.
• Maintaining an ongoing 30 hours of professional development every two years per OCFS regulations.
• Create and follow an individualized professional development plan.
• Obtain and maintain CPR/First Aid Training.
• Participate in all professional development training on and off campus per the direction of the Education Director.
• Attend monthly meetings with the Education Director to check in.

Communication:

• Communicate any concerns regarding children with the Program Director and be prepared to meet and discuss openly with the family.
• Establish and maintain effective, consistent, and timely communication with parents, guardians, and caregivers.
• Establish and maintain effective, consistent, and timely communication with the Administration team.
• Assist in completing the daily reports for children to be shared with families.
• Assist in taking photographs of children to be shared with families.

Other:

• Other duties as assigned.

Pay Rate: 16.50/hour

Hiring Manager: Student Employment (studentemployment@ithaca.edu)