Dedicated Aide- School Year 25-26

Job Opportunity: Dedicated Aide

Location: Washington, DC

Department: Student Support

Application Deadline: Until filled

Expected Start Date of Position: August 2025

Employment Type: Full-time

Reports to: SPED Coordinator

Compensation: Salary range is $35,000- $58,676 and will be commensurate with degree and years of experience

FLSA Status: Exempt

About Breakthrough Montessori Public Charter School

Breakthrough Montessori Public Charter School's mission is to enable children to develop within themselves the power to shape their lives and the world around them.

Founded in 2016, Breakthrough Montessori is a public charter school in Washington, DC. We serve 388 students in PK3 through grade 6. At Breakthrough Montessori PCS, we believe in the unbounded potential of all children. Students of all races, classes, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and backgrounds deserve a personalized education.

Our school is grounded in an institutional commitment to development, prevention, and community. We support human development through a strict application of the time-tested Montessori instructional model. We support prevention through early learning, support, and intervention, enabling us to quickly and effectively address learning challenges. Finally, we support the community through an intensive approach to family engagement.

Breakthrough Montessori PCS is committed to equity in all areas of our school's work. We believe in the unbounded potential of all children. Therefore, we are a supportive environment that seeks to employ a diverse staff reflective of all genders, races, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, and backgrounds.

Breakthrough Montessori PCS is a coaching school; all team members receive and give coaching to support professional growth.

Position Summary:

Breakthrough Montessori PCS seeks dedicated aides for the 2024-25 school year who are dedicated to public Montessori and excited to help shape this transformational school. The dedicated aide assists a student, helps them adapt to their classroom environment, and supports their learning to function independently at school. Under the direction of the Special Education Coordinator, and with the support of the Montessori Support Specialists, the dedicated aide uses research-based interventions to support their student’s academic, social-emotional, and behavioral growth.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

The Dedicated Aide is a 10-month position. Typical working hours are Mondays from 8:00 am-4:30 pm and Tuesday-Friday 8:00am-4:00pm. Responsibilities include the following:

• Work with up to 4 students simultaneously while in the resource room; work with up to 2 students simultaneously while in the general education setting
• Use the research-based strategies or interventions specified in the student’s IEP, 504, BIP or other written plan to:
  • Academic Support: Implement and document the use of student accommodations and modifications as outlined in the students’ Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
  • Academic Support: Encourage and support student participation in scheduled lessons throughout the school day (i.e. individualized, small group, whole group, etc.).
  • Social/Emotional Support: monitor/document students’ ability to initiate/respond to social interaction from peers; model appropriate social behavior; model emotional regulation strategies (supported by special education teachers and/or Counselor) and monitor students’ ability to co-regulate.
  • Behavior Support: Keep the student safe and ensure the student engages in safe behavior with their classmates;
  • Engage students’ in work and ensure that the student follows classroom norms and expectations
  • Ability to reteach lessons to students
  • Encourage self-discipline, independence, and responsibility
• Participate in professional development provided by the school on Montessori pedagogy, the appropriate use of Montessori classroom materials, and approved modifications of these materials.
• Stay with all assigned students at all times, but fall back when the student is engaging appropriately and independently
• Collaborate with classroom Guide and Assistant(s) to fully understand classroom routines; assist student in daily routines of the classroom (including greeting the Guide and transitions between activities in the class).
• Implement any behavior or crisis plans that the student may have, including Behavior Intervention Plans as designed by a BCBA.
• Maintain data systems for all assigned students; collect and keep data as requested, including frequency data for behaviors, student activities, etc.
• Engage with all students’ related service providers, be present and participate (when appropriate) during the delivery of related services, and provide continuity between classroom interventions and related services.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with colleagues, specifically the SPED Teacher and Special Education Coordinator
• Participate in meetings, including:
  • Biweekly meetings of the student support team
  • Weekly meetings of the classroom team
  • IEP meetings (as necessary)
  • Inter-departmental meetings (as necessary)
  • All staff meetings
• Assist daily with arrivals, dismissals, and before care
• Assist with classroom set up following dismissal
• Participate in other school functions as requested by the Executive Director
• Other duties, as assigned

Required Competencies and Qualifications:

• Have a firm commitment to upholding the school’s mission and anti-bias/anti-racist pedagogy.
• Commitment to upholding the confidentiality of students and parents
• Proven ability to work as a member of a diverse team of educators
• Patience, punctuality, and responsibility
• Team player; experience working with an instructional team
• Excellent communication skills
• Creative, energetic, and nurturing personality
• Organizational and interpersonal skills
• Enthusiasm and commitment to our vision and mission

Education and Experience:

• Experience working with diverse populations of students, parents, and families.
• High school diploma or equivalent required; bachelor’s degree preferred
• Previous experience working with young children with behavior and academic challenges
• Previous experience in a Montessori setting preferred
• Experience with families from diverse backgrounds
• Certification in SafetyCare preferred
• Completion of a 40-hour online training course, selected by the school, within a timeframe set by the SPED Coordinator

Benefits:

We provide employees with a robust leave policy that includes:

• Paid time off
• Paid COVID sick leave
• Paid family leave (in addition to DC paid family leave)
• Paid bereavement leave
• Paid leave for the observation of a religious holiday

Breakthrough invests heavily in the professional development (PD) of our faculty through:

• A weekly early release schedule with professional development and collaborative planning time from 1:30-4:30 pm every Monday;
• An individual professional development budget of $250/year to pursue additional PD opportunities;
• Conference participation and
• A Continuing Education grant application program that provides grantees up to $20,000 to complete Montessori teacher training, an advanced degree or other license.

Other benefits include:

• Health, dental, vision
• Retirement (Vanguard Retirement)
• AFLAC
• Educator wellness groups, facilitated by a clinical psychologist.

For information on Breakthrough Montessori PCS, including employee benefits and our company culture, visit our website at www.breakthroughmontessori.org.

Breakthrough Montessori PCS is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment 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.