We are seeking a motivated Early Childhood/Toddler Assistant to work in our Full Day Program. We are searching for a candidate with strong organization and communication skills and who values working as a part of a dynamic, creative, and diverse team. Hours are 7:30am-3:30pm, Monday through Friday for the academic year. The position would begin in August 2026 for the 2026-2027 academic year.

Position Summary

The Assistant Teacher assists the Head Teacher to guide the children’s activities academically, emotionally, and physically in a prepared Montessori environment that challenges each child to reach their fullest potential. The Assistant Teacher is union bargaining member responsible for upholding the purpose, standards and policies of Rogers Park Montessori School (RPMS) as outlined in the Parent and Employee Handbooks under the supervision and evaluation of the Head Teacher. The Assistant Teacher is expected to always conduct themselves in an ethical and business professional manner. The Assistant Teacher must maintain all personal information about children, families, organizational issues and other school matters as confidential.

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:

Interactions with Children

• 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.
• Encourage uninvolved children to participate, balancing time between children working and involving children who are not.
• Model a respectful, quiet speaking voice.
• Communicate effectively with children.
• Interact regularly with the children by introducing materials, allowing the children to work independently without interrupting concentration, observing at a distance and helping children as necessary.
• Oversee the safety and physical well-being of the children at all times.
• Demonstrate competency in toileting and diapering for toddler age children.

Classroom

• Assist in preparing an environment in which the furnishings and materials are complete and correspond to the needs of the group.
• 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.
• Assist in training and supervising children in the execution of fire drills, including the routing and building exits.
• Protect the privacy and working atmosphere of the class at all times.

Record Keeping and Reporting

• Assist in maintaining curriculum planning, observational and academic records, attendance, and progress reports for each student.
• Report all accidents immediately. Prepare a written report stating the date, time and nature of the accident, including action taken. Notify the Head Teacher of all cases and the School Health Administrator as relevant.
• Communicate all unusual or observable incidents immediately to the Head Teacher.

General Administration

• Assist the Head Teacher in implementing school policies and procedures, adult orientation and educational design as requested.
• Attend staff meetings and other school meetings as required.
• Prepare annual goals, participate in self-evaluations, and consult with the Head Teacher regarding professional growth and development.
• Assist with other projects, programs and planning as assigned by the Head Teacher, Program Coordinator, or Principal.
• Comply with all policies and procedures outlined in the Staff Handbook.
• Adhere to American Montessori Society (AMS) guidelines and professional standards.

Position Details and Compensation:

• Position is full-time and hourly.
• Hourly rate is based on years of experience using pre-determined salary bands in coordination with our Union’s Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• Position is fully in-person.

Position Benefits:

• 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 by Delta Dental of Illinois 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, Accidental Death and Dismemberment 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.

Position Requirements

Competencies

• Strong communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively as a team member.
• High ethical standards and sense of the importance of confidentiality.
• Professional and courteous attitude.
• Strong organizational skills.
• 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.

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 two toddler classrooms, six 3-6 classrooms, five 6-9 classrooms, four 9-12 classrooms, and one Middle School classroom comprise a close-knit school community.

Connections working at Rogers Park Montessori School