Elementary Classroom Assistant

MN Association of Charter Schools; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Great River School in Minnesota seeks an Elementary Classroom Assistant to support a Montessori-trained lead guide in an elementary classroom of about 32 students. You will help prepare and maintain the environment, support daily routines, and assist students to become independent under the Guide's supervision.

The role emphasizes collaborative teamwork, materials making, parent/teacher conferences attendance, and ongoing professional development in a school committed to equity and community.

Qualifications

• Experience with children
• Interest or experience with Montessori education
• Commitment to equity and anti-racism in education
• Desire to assist students with a variety of needs
• Calm demeanor under emotional moments
• Growth mindset and flexibility
• Excellent communication with students and adults
• Minnesota substitute teacher license pursued

Responsibilities

• Prepare and maintain the Montessori classroom environment.
• Support daily, weekly, and yearly class flow per the Guide’s plan.
• Assist students in developing independence and following routines.
• Make Montessori materials as directed by the Guide.
• Attend conferences, meetings, and school events as needed.
• Observe classroom community and support operational needs.
• Communicate regularly with the Guide and elementary team.
• Participate in workshops and professional development.

Skills

Experience with children

Montessori education interest

Anti-racist equity work

Growth mindset

Excellent communication

Job description

Submitted: August 13
Closing: September 30

Job Description

Job Title: Elementary Classroom Assistant
Classification: Full-time, 1.0 FTE
Grade Level: Elementary (grades 1-6)
Benefits Eligible: Yes
Compensation: Commensurate with experience and education
Reports To: Elementary Program Director
Start Date: School Year 2026-2027, Starting in August 2026

SUMMARY:
This position supports the Montessori trained lead guide in an elementary classroom of around 32 students. Primary responsibilities include preparing and maintaining the classroom environment, supporting the daily schedule and routines, supporting students in being independent, material making, and contributing to the elementary team.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (include the following and other duties may be assigned)

Preparing the Environment

• The Classroom Assistant helps to prepare the classroom environment during the opening week of school and maintains this throughout the year according to Great River School norms.
• The Classroom Assistant takes time everyday for the maintenance and preparation of the environment in the morning and after dismissal.
• The Classroom Assistant helps to maintain the complete Montessori environment. Materials should be complete, in good repair, and maintained in accordance with Montessori principles of beauty, order, and simplicity.
• The Classroom Assistant works with students to ensure the environment outside the class—hallway, outdoor environment, and other common areas — is well maintained with the assistance of students.
• The Classroom Assistant works with students to uphold community norms

Operations

• Safety. The Classroom Assistant works with the Guide, who is responsible for the safety and welfare of the students. The Classroom Assistant documents and reports any and all accidents and incidents at once to the lead Guide and keeps current CPR, First Aid and Blood Borne Pathogen training as required.
• Daily Flow. The Classroom Assistant supports the Guide’s plan of the daily, weekly, and yearly flow of the class, according to the Guide’s Montessori training. The Classroom Assistant supports routines and rituals around leaving the classroom and transition times such as arrival and departure, lunch and recess.
• Conflict Resolution. The Classroom Assistant supports students’ independence in conflict resolution with peers.
• Assessment. The Classroom Assistant will support the assessment of each child’s growth towards developmental goals as directed by the Guide.
• Material Making. The Classroom Assistant will make Montessori materials according to Montessori principles as directed by the Guide.
• Parent Conferences and Meetings. Classroom Assistants will attend parent/student/teacher conferences. They will support conferences by taking notes and helping keep time. Classroom assistants will attend parent meetings during regular school hours when appropriate.
• Observation: The Classroom Assistant will support the classroom community by observing as directed by the Guide. They will also support the classroom’s operation when the guide is observing the students.

Other Responsibilities

• Communication Classroom Assistants will communicate regularly with the classroom Guide and the elementary team.
• Workshops. The Classroom Assistants support workshop activities, such as Art, Outdoor Education and Music
• Key Experiences Interest and willingness to engage in trips and expeditionary and experiential learning with students, desire to be part of a team of professional educators who collaborate and create an environment that serves students holistically.
• Staff Meetings. The Classroom Assistants are expected to attend staff meetings.
• Professional Development. We expect all staff to participate in professional growth opportunities.
• Administrative Responsibilities. Classroom Assistants are expected to support the school and its leadership and be knowledgeable of and follow the school policies.
• Duty Day. The duty day is 8:30-4:30 each scheduled school and professional development day.
• Breaks and Prep-time. Classroom Assistants are present for 8 hours/day with a half hour break, the timing of which is to be decided upon in communication with the Lead Guide and the Elementary Program Director.
• Licensure. The Classroom Assistant shall pursue a Minnesota substitute teacher license.
• The Classroom Assistant will substitute when Guide is on PTO, professional development, or is otherwise unable to be on site.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 1. Experience with children
• 2. Interest or experience with Montessori education
• 3. Prioritize status breaking, anti-racist, equity work
• 4. Desire to assist students who have a variety of needs in a learning environment.
• 5. Consistently maintain calm demeanor during emotionally challenging moments.
• 6. The ability to be flexible and approach the work with a growth mindset.
• 7. Excellent communication skills with both students and adults.

• Licensure. The Classroom Assistant shall pursue a Minnesota substitute teacher license.

Institution Description

Great River School is a public Montessori institution servicing students ages 6 through 18. Our community is committed to an engaging environment which prepares students for their unique roles as responsible and engaged citizens of the world. Our vision is world peace through education. We specifically seek to deconstruct systems of bias and oppression that interrupt relationships and access to education. We welcome applications from all backgrounds - racial justice, gender inclusion, and accessibility of education is central to our core values as a school community.

Great River School provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and or expression, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Great River School will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. Applications will be reviewed and interviews conducted on a rolling basis until successful candidate(s) are hired.