Montessori Assistant Teacher

Uhalumni; Lahaina (HI); On-site; USD 39,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan with employer contribution

Paid parental leave

Flexible spending account for dependent care

Job summary

Uhalumni is seeking qualified Montessori Assistant Teachers for our new preschool in Lahaina, Hawaii. This full-time position offers a supportive environment for professional growth while working closely with young children to foster their development.

Candidates will assist lead teachers, engage in active learning processes, and are expected to obtain a Primary Montessori teaching credential within two years if they do not possess one already. Competitive hourly compensation ranges from $19 to $27, with additional benefits available. Experience in early childhood education is essential.

Qualifications

• Four years of professional experience as an aide, assistant, or lead teacher of children from infancy through third grade.
• Primary Montessori teaching credential from a MACTE-accredited institution or on track to obtain one.

Responsibilities

• Support the lead teacher in preparing and delivering instructional activities that facilitate active Montessori learning experiences.
• Assist in presenting individual and small-group Montessori lessons.
• Observe each child daily to assess skills, interests, and needs.

Skills

Communication

Child supervision

Montessori instructional support

Cultural responsiveness

Education

Bachelor’s degree or relevant field

Primary Montessori teaching credential

Job description

Maui – Lahaina

We are actively hiring for Montessori Assistant Teachers for the launch of our new preschool in Maui – Lahaina (127 Kukuia St, Lahaina, HI 96761).

There are two start date options for the Montessori Assistant Teacher position:

• May 19, 2026, for those who wish to enter our full-time training program to become Montessori certified before the fall. Please note this summer training program involves travel to Seattle from July 13th - July 24th for in-person training (BA will cover your travel expenses).
• July 21, 2026, for those who elect to participate in an external training program, who are already credentialed, or who wish to enter our part-time training program to become Montessori certified on a later timeline. Please note this option will require some coursework to be completed outside of normal working hours.

SCHEDULES, BENEFITS, AND COMPENSATION

• School schedules vary depending on community needs but generally range from 8am-5:30pm, with teachers staggered across these hours with varying start and end times totaling no more than 8 hours per day. Your specific schedule will be determined with your school leader when considering all staff, classroom, and community needs.
• This is a full-time (40 hours per week), benefits-eligible, non-exempt/hourly position.
• Compensation for this position is $19-$27 per hour (~$39,000-$56,000 annually). The upper third of the compensation range is typically reserved for existing employees who have been in the role for multiple years and demonstrate strong performance over time. Starting compensation will vary with prior experience and qualification but is estimated to be $22-$25 per hour.
• This role includes 32 paid days of scheduled breaks, 3 paid days of personal time off, 9 paid days of sick (care) time, 10 paid holidays, and additional time off if required by applicable law. Benefits for this role include medical, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, a 401(k) plan with a 4% employer contribution match, paid parental leave, an employer-matched flexible spending account for dependent care, and more. Pleasesee herefor details.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Meet one of the following criteria:
  • Four years of professional experience as an aide, assistant, or lead teacher of children from infancy through third grade
  • Two years of professional experience as an aide, assistant, or lead teacher of children from infancy through third grade AND an associate’s degree in a relevant field (i.e., child development, early childhood education etc.)
  • Bachelor’s degree
• Primary Montessori teaching credential from a MACTE-accredited institution or on track to obtain one within two years of hire
  • If you do not hold a Primary Montessori teaching credential from a MACTE-accredited institution, you will be eligible to complete the Bezos Academy Montessori Primary teacher coursework, provided at no cost
• Ability to pass background checks, tuberculosis screenings, and trainings required by the state of Hawaii required to supervise children independently
• Ability to independently supervise, communicate effectively with, and care for young children safely, including ability to lift a minimum of 40 lbs
• Access to reliable transportation to and from work and ability to consistently attend work as scheduled to ensure proper staff-to-child classroom ratios and support smooth school operations
• Familiarity with Hawaii and Hawaiian culture

This role requires a Primary Montessori teaching credential from a MACTE-accredited institution. If you do not currently have this credential, your employment in this role is provisional until you successfully obtain one. You must obtain this credential within two years of your start date to remain in this role. Upon hire, you may elect to obtain a credential through the Bezos Academy Montessori Credential Program (MCP), offered at no cost, or through any other MACTE-accredited program at your own expense.

Participation in MCP is voluntary and unpaid. MCP activities may occur during periods that overlap with scheduled working hours or scheduled breaks, including summer break. To the extent that participation in MCP overlaps with your regular working hours, those working hours will be paid. To the extent participation overlaps with scheduled breaks for which you are eligible, those scheduled breaks will remain paid.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Associates degree or higher in education or related field
• Experience teaching in a Montessori preschool
• Professional experience working with young children with special needs
• Experience working with children and families in low-income areas
• Experience in culturally responsive & trauma-informed teaching practices
• Proficiency in Hawaiian language

RESPONSIBILITIES

*NOTE: The combination of responsibilities may vary based on the needs of the school site, students, and prior experiences of the Montessori Assistant Teacher. Some Montessori ATs will provide support across an entire school rather than be assigned to a single classroom.

Instructional

• Support the lead teacher in preparing and delivering instructional activities that facilitate active Montessori learning experiences
• Assist in presenting individual and small-group Montessori lessons, adapting activities to meet each child’s developmental stage and interests
• Observe each child daily to assess skills, interests, and needs and use this information to facilitate learning and growth
• Encourage the development of early literacy, math, and problem‑solving skills through hands‑on, purposeful work that supports kindergarten readiness
• Prepare and maintain a well‑organized, safe, and attractive classroom environment conducive to the optimal growth and development of children
• Organize materials and clean the workspace to facilitate the learning process for each child
• Support children’s increasing independence with daily living skills (i.e., washing hands, using the bathroom, eating meals and snacks, cleaning up, etc.)
• Assist teachers in maintaining records on each child’s progress and development

Student Support

• Develop a positive relationship with each child and promote the development of self‑esteem and self‑discipline
• Provide support for children with diverse learning needs, including occasional or short‑term support in small group settings when helpful for classroom participation, emotional regulation, or routines
• Partner with lead teachers to implement student support and/or behavior plans as needed

Operational

• Assist teachers with the full implementation of Bezos Academy’s performance standards, policies, and procedures
• Support Bezos Academy classrooms by following regulations and guidelines in the day‑to‑day operation of the classroom (i.e., cleaning materials, meal prep, nap time transitions, etc.)
• Prepare and maintain a well‑organized, safe, and attractive classroom environment conducive to the optimal growth and development of children
• Organize materials and clean the workspace to facilitate the learning process for each child
• Support children’s increasing independence with daily living skills (i.e., washing hands, using the bathroom, eating meals and snacks, cleaning up, etc.)
• Maintain eligibility and professional growth by obtaining a MACTE‑accredited Primary Montessori teacher credential within two years (if not already credentialed)
• As needed, independently supervise children throughout the day in classrooms and a variety of other situations, including but not limited to arrival/departure, transitions, outside time, rest/nap time, and (if offered) extended hours

Other

• Participate in team meetings, center activities, and staff development
• Assist lead teachers in conducting staff/family conferences
• Establish a positive relationship with each child’s family and share information about the child’s day at the preschool
• Assume postures at low levels (e.g. kneeling, stooping, bending, and sitting on the floor) as needed to communicate effectively with children