Elementary Program Assistant/Float

American Montessori Society Inc; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 48,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance (BCBS Illinois)

Dental insurance (PPO/HMO)

Vision insurance (PPO/HMO)

401(k) with 50% match up to 3%

Paid sick/personal/development days

Tuition discount for children

Life insurance & disability

AFLAC option

Job summary

Rogers Park Montessori School in Chicago, IL seeks an Elementary Assistant for the Full Day Program. The role is a floating support across Lower and Upper Elementary rooms, with afterschool support for the Explorers program (ages 6–14). Hours are 10:00am–6:00pm, Monday through Friday.

The position begins late October/early November 2026 and is fully in-person, union bargaining. Responsibilities include supervising lunch/recess, supporting teachers, and maintaining a safe, orderly classroom.

Qualifications

• Experience in a Montessori environment or daycare setting.
• Ability to meet state and local licensing requirements for the school.
• Bachelor's degree required.

Responsibilities

• Supervise children during lunch, recess, and aftercare.
• Float across Lower and Upper Elementary rooms to support teachers.
• Cover absences for teaching assistants/co-head teachers.
• Model positive behavior and treat all children with dignity and respect.
• Develop positive rapport with children and ensure safety at all times.
• Maintain classroom materials and a tidy, sanitary environment.
• Keep an inventory of classroom supplies annually.

Skills

Strong communication

Ethical standards

Professional & courteous

Organizational skills

Team collaboration

Flexibility to adapt

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Position Summary

We are seeking a motivated Elementary Assistant to work in our Full Day Program with strong organization and communication skills who values working as part of a dynamic, creative, and diverse team to join our school community. During the school day, this position is an assistant/float for our Lower and Upper Elementary Classrooms and after school this position supports our Explorers program for elementary age students (ages 6-14). Hours are 10:00am-6:00pm, Monday through Friday. This position is a union bargaining member position.

This position will begin as soon as possible in late October/early November 2026.

About Rogers Park Montessori School:

Nestled in the Bowmanville neighborhood just 10 miles north of Downtown Chicago, Rogers Park Montessori School, established in 1966, serves children ages 2-14. We have a proud tradition of teacher collaboration and support. The students, teaching faculty, and parents of our toddler classrooms, 3-6 classrooms, 6-9 classrooms, 9-12 classrooms, and Middle School classrooms comprise a close-knit school community.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities:

• Supervise children during lunch, recess, and aftercare activities.
• Support elementary teachers and teaching assistants in the classroom in a floating capacity that shifts daily depending on need and activities.
• Cover absences for teaching assistants/co-head teachers.
• Provide a positive role model for the children in attitude, speech and attire, treating all children with dignity and respect.
• Develop a positive rapport with children.
• Oversee the safety and physical well-being of the children at all times.
• Assist in the care and maintenance of classroom materials.
• Assist in maintaining an orderly environment, keeping it clean and sanitary, and in good aesthetic shape, allowing the children to share this responsibility when possible.
• Assist in maintaining an inventory of the classroom yearly.
• Protect the privacy, confidentiality, and working atmosphere of the class at all times for students and families.

Position Requirements:

Competencies

• Strong communication skills.
• High ethical standards.
• Professional and courteous.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a diverse team.
• Flexibility and openness to new ideas.

Qualifications

• Experience working in a Montessori School, daycare program, or other work experience with children.
• Ability to fulfill requirements of all state and local licensing agencies affecting the school.
• A bachelor’s degree is required.

Position Details:

• Position is full-time and hourly.
• Position is fully in-person.

Position Compensation and Benefits:

• Starting hourly rate range is $23.35 to $32.65 based on years of experience using pre-determined salary bands in alignment with our Union’s Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• Medical insurance is provided by BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois with both PPO and HMO plan options. RPMS pays 65% of the employee’s individual premium. Plans for spouses/partners and families are also available.
• Dental and vision insurance is provided with both PPO and HMO plan options. RPMS pays 65% of the employee’s individual dental premium and 100% of the employee’s individual vision premium. Plans for spouses/partners and families are also available.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance are offered as full 12-month coverage even for 10-month employees with payroll deductions being adjusted accordingly.
• RPMS offers life insurance and Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance at no charge to the employee. These policies have a 90 day waiting period after start date to take effect.
• AFLAC insurance policies are available if interested.
• RPMS is dedicated to following compliance with federal FMLA laws and Illinois’s VESSA law.
• RPMS offers a 401(k) retirement saving option managed by Vanguard that employees are eligible to contribute to after 30 days. RPMS will match $0.50 for every dollar contributed up to 3% of your pay. Employee contributions are always 100% vested and employer contributions are 100% vested after 3 years of service.
• Teaching faculty have 10 paid sick leave days, 2 personal leave days, and 1 professional development leave day.
• In addition to federally observed holidays, the RPMS calendar includes a 3-day Thanksgiving Break, a 2-week Winter Break, and a 1-week Spring Break.
• All faculty and staff receive a 50% tuition discount for any children attending RPMS.

RPMS is committed to ensuring our employees represent our diverse school community and to creating an inclusive workplace environment welcoming to people of all backgrounds. RPMS strongly encourages applications from people of color, people of all genders and sexual orientations, people with disabilities, and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. RPMS prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.