Elementary Montessori Classroom Guide

Job Title: Elementary Montessori Classroom Guide

Level: Elementary (Grades 1-3 & 4-6)

Classification: 1.0 FTE

Compensation: Commensurate with experience (Union pay scale 2)

Benefits Eligible: Yes

Licensure: Licensure Area(s): MN Teaching License Elementary

Qualifications: Elementary Montessori Credentials (from a MACTE accredited program)

Reports to: Elementary Program Director

School Year: 2025-2026, Starting August 2025

Organization description:

Great River School is a public Montessori institution serving students ages 6 through 18. Our community is committed to an engaging environment which prepares students for their unique roles as responsible and engaged citizens of the world. Our vision is world peace through education. We specifically seek to deconstruct systems of bias and oppression that interrupt relationships and access to education. We welcome applications from all backgrounds - racial justice, gender inclusion, and accessibility of education is central to our core values as a school community.

We encourage applicants who are passionate about Montessori education - Great River School seeks and encourages applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds. People of the global majority are highly encouraged to apply. We seek to employ adults who reflect the heritage, backgrounds, and experiences of neighborhoods where our students live. We hire employees who have a Montessori credential, and we also are excited to recruit adults who are committed to teaching at an innovative school and committing to Montessori training.

General Description:

The Elementary classroom guide leads the planning, organization, and support for a classroom of students in an authentic Montessori setting.

Areas of responsibility and Concomitant Tasks:

1. Teaching:

• Exhibit reverence, belief, and trust in each child
• Work in collaboration with and guide each child towards realization of his/her unique potential
• Ensure a quality Montessori curriculum
• Establish and maintain an elementary Montessori prepared environment
• Establish a community based on freedom with responsibility
• Ensure respect and safety for every child within the community
• Ensure respect for and provide for individual learning differences
• Model professional integrity
• Work in collaboration with colleagues in service of the children
• Contribute to his/her fair share of the operational needs of the school
• Actively plan and participate in major classroom outings and trips.

2. Student Contact and Communication:

• Responsibility for regular observations of children.
• Responsibility for regular communication with children regarding difficulties and successes in work choices, interactions with others and their commitment to the community.
• Responsibility to establish and maintain a record–keeping system for the classroom in general and for each student to discuss any serious concerns, academically, socially or emotionally.

3. Other:

• Other duties as assigned by the Elementary Program Director
• May be required to attend Montessori refresher courses or courses that assist in observed areas of need. i.e. ADHD conference, etc.
• Participate in elementary level key experience, have the interest and the willingness to engage in trips and expeditionary and experiential learning with students, desire to be part of a team of professional educators who collaborate and create an environment that serves students holistically

Qualifications:

• Credential in Montessori (from a MACTE accredited program)
• Civility, Honesty, and Integrity; as reflected in daily interaction with faculty students and parents
• Service to the community as reflected in student/parent community relationships
• Judgment as reflected in decision-making and problem-solving skills
• Depth in ability to draw from a broad base of knowledge or experiences
• Ability to develop appropriate relationships in support of teaching and learning
• Excellent written and verbal skills.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Possession of positivity and high expectations for themselves and for student success
• Willingness to work hard and be a solid role model
• Ability to manage competing tasks with competing deadlines
• Ability to remain on task and follow through projects to their completion
• Excellent word processing skills and good computer knowledge (or ability to learn computer skills to function effectively in the GRS setting).
• Preferred candidates have current MN State teaching license and are elementary Montessori trained. Great River School will support successful candidates in planning to assure these credentials and licensure areas are complete within 2 years of hire.
• Candidates who are currently enrolled in an accredited Montessori training program with an expected completion date within 2 years will be considered.

Preferred qualifications:

Experience working in public schools, experience working in innovative and authentic Montessori programs, a commitment to education as a transformational experience, an ability to consider the beliefs and perspectives of others, a willingness to support a culture of collaboration and team. Understanding of the unique opportunities and challenges of a Montessori program serving ages 6-12.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Great River School provides Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, Great River School will provide accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Application Instructions:

All Interested candidates can send a letter of interest, resume and contact information for three professional references (email is preferred) to: jobs@greatriverschool.org

Eileen McElrath

Elementary Program Director

Great River School

1326 Energy Park Drive

St. Paul, MN 55108

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $35,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Salary : $35,000