Friends School of Wilmington seeks a dedicated and compassionate individual to join our team as a Montessori Preschool Assistant Teacher. The Assistant Teacher will support the Lead Teacher in fostering the growth of our youngest learners (ages 2-3) by contributing to a nurturing and stimulating environment where children can explore, learn, and develop at their own pace. This role involves assisting in implementing Montessori principles to cultivate independence, curiosity, and a love of learning in our students, while supporting their social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. All applicants must apply through our internal portal at the link listed below: https://www.fsow.org/about/employment

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Classroom Support: Assist the Lead Teacher in designing and implementing developmentally appropriate lesson plans that promote exploration, independence, and a love of learning.
• Environment Preparation: Help create and maintain a nurturing and inviting classroom environment that supports each child's social, emotional, and cognitive development, as well as their emerging independence and self-regulation skills.
• Observation & Assessment: Support the observation and assessment of each child's progress and development using Montessori assessment tools and methodologies; provide feedback to the Lead Teacher to adjust teaching strategies accordingly.
• Routine Maintenance: Aid in establishing and maintaining clear and consistent routines that promote a sense of security and order in the classroom.
• Positive Discipline: Assist in implementing positive discipline techniques rooted in Montessori principles to help students develop responsibility, respect, and kindness for themselves, others, and their environment.
• Parental Communication: Participate in building strong partnerships with parents through regular communication, supporting the Lead Teacher in parent education opportunities and parent-teacher conferences to address each child's individual needs and goals.
• Professional Development: Engage in ongoing professional development to deepen understanding of preschool education and Montessori pedagogy, enhancing overall teaching effectiveness.
• Health & Safety: Assist with changing diapers and toileting needs as necessary, ensuring the health, safety, and comfort of each child.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by school leadership.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in early childhood education or a related discipline.
• Experience working with preschool-aged children in a Montessori learning program.
• A deep investment in the Friends School of Wilmington mission statement and guiding values.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must be able to exert a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Employees in this job must be energetic and flexible and possess the visual acuity to prepare data, work with records processes, and do extensive reading and research. Due to amount of time spent standing and/or walking, physical requirements are consistent with those for Light work, as defined by the Social Security Administration’s Code of Federal Regulations.

SALARY & BENEFITS

This role is an exempt, part-time (28.7 hours/week), 10-month position whose salary is commensurate with the candidate’s education and experience and is consistent with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Salary Schedule.

APPLICANT INFORMATION

Individuals who would like to be considered for the Montessori Preschool Lead Teacher position at FSW should be prepared to submit all of the following by applying at the link listed below. Only applications received through our internal portal will be considered: https://www.fsow.org/about/employment

• Cover letter
• Resume/curriculum vitae
• Contact information for three (3) professional references

All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of a criminal background check prior to beginning work. Successful candidates must also be able to demonstrate ability to legally work in the United States.

WHO WE ARE

Friends School of Wilmington is a preschool-8th grade independent school, rooted in Quaker values, dedicated to fostering a lifelong love of learning and a drive to act always with courage, integrity, and love.

At FSW, our educational mission is grounded in a sustained commitment to academic excellence and moral character; a learning environment where students are equipped to lead lives guided by curiosity and kindness, wisdom and empathy. Starting in our Montessori preschool classrooms, we empower children to explore the world around them through creative, hands-on discovery. Our Lower and Middle School students develop as self-confident critical thinkers who solve problems with authenticity, adaptability, and collaboration.

Our teachers and administrators are the best of the best, the majority of whom hold postgraduate degrees. Through an innovative, robust curriculum that draws upon experiential and service-learning principles, we help each child reach their highest individual potential. This work is supported by first-class campus facilities, like our multi-acre Longleaf Center for Environmental Learning, our Lower School EdTech classrooms, and our Middle School 1:1 Chromebook program. Visit our website at www.fsow.org for more information.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

Friends School of Wilmington actively strives to be a community of staff, students, and families of diverse backgrounds. FSW does not discriminate based on age, race, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, socio-economic background, family structure, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, or military service in the administration of its policies and program. We are an equal opportunity employer in both policy and practice.

Job Type: Part-time

Expected hours: 28.7 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person