Olu Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Assistant Montessori Teacher

Location/Environment: Toddler & Children’s House Classrooms - Total of 2 positions

Position Overview

The Assistant Montessori Teacher plays a vital role in supporting the Lead Teacher to deliver an authentic Montessori program. This role is essential in creating and maintaining a calm, orderly, and beautifully prepared environment where children can develop independence, grace, and deep concentration.

The ideal candidate brings warmth, active supervision, and a collaborative spirit to ensure the physical safety, emotional well-being, and daily care of our students.

Key Responsibilities

1. Classroom & Curriculum Support

• Preserve the Montessori Environment: Protect each child’s focus by avoiding interruptions during the work cycle, quietly redirecting behavior, and modeling grace and courtesy at all times.
• Curriculum Assistance: Assist the Lead Teacher with setting up the classroom, organizing materials, supporting circle time, and facilitating lessons as directed.
• Tech & Record Keeping: Capture photos of work periods and outdoor play for Brightwheel; upload lessons to Montessori Compass as guided by the Lead Teacher.
• Daily Routines & Care:
• • Support children’s independence during snack and lunch routines.
  • Assist with diapering and potty training according to school hygiene procedures.
  • Facilitate calm, consistent naptime routines and rest time supervision.

2. Active Supervision, Health & Safety

• Constant Vigilance: Maintain strict sight-and-sound supervision across the classroom, playground, and field trips, ensuring required teacher-to-child ratios are met.
• Proactive Positioning: Maintain active coverage through continuous scanning, deliberate positioning away from co-teachers, and zero phone use or side conversations while supervising.
• Safety & Hygiene: Keep the environment clean and secure, monitor physical well-being, respond promptly to emergencies, and report injuries or concerns to the Lead Teacher immediately.

3. Family Communication

• Warm Connections: Greet parents and students warmly during morning arrival and afternoon dismissal.
• Professional Boundaries: Build positive rapport with families while directing all formal curriculum and developmental questions to the Lead Teacher.

4. Care of the Environment

• Daily Maintenance: Set up, clean, and store nap cots and sheets daily; keep supply storage areas organized.
• Classroom Upkeep: Clean tables and floors after meals, vacuum indoor areas daily, dust shelves and work materials, and clear indoor/outdoor trash daily.

5. Teamwork & Professional Development

• Collaborative Spirit: Partner effectively with Lead Teachers, Assistant Teachers, Montessori consultants, and school administration.
• Growth Mindset: Attend team meetings, school-wide events, and annual AMS conferences; fulfill additional duties assigned by the Lead Teacher or Head of School.

Qualifications

Required

• Age & Education: 18+ years old with a High School Diploma or equivalent (per CA Title 22 requirements).
• Personal Attributes: Exceptional patience, warmth, reliability, and strong communication skills in English.
• Adaptability: Demonstrated ability to follow direction and uphold school policies consistently.

Preferred

• Early Childhood Education: 12+ semester units in ECE/Child Development (or willingness to enroll).
• Experience: Prior experience in a licensed childcare facility or Montessori setting.
• Philosophy: Familiarity with, or a strong desire to learn, Montessori principles.

Clearances & Certifications

⚠️ All compliance requirements must be satisfied prior to or within the designated timeline after hiring.

• Background Check: Criminal record clearance via DOJ/FBI Live Scan fingerprinting & Child Abuse Central Index (CACI) check (prior to day 1).
• Health Clearances: TB clearance within 1 year prior to hire; proof of MMR, Pertussis, and annual Influenza immunizations (per CA SB 792).
• Certifications: EMSA-approved Pediatric CPR/First Aid (within 30 days of hire).
• Mandated Reporter: Mandatory California Mandated Reporter training completion (within 90 days of hire).

Physical Demands

• Lifting & Movement: Ability to lift/carry up to 30 lbs, bend, squat, kneel, sit on child-sized furniture or the floor, and move quickly for safety.
• Supervision Capabilities: Full visual and auditory acuity to supervise children at all times.
• Environment: Comfortable working both indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.

About Olu Montessori

Olu Montessori is a women-owned, community-rooted Montessori school located in Redwood City, California. Founded with a deep commitment to equity, excellence, and the transformative power of early childhood education, our mission is to provide a nurturing, inclusive, and joyful environment where children, families, and educators grow together. We believe that high-quality education begins with respect for the child, the guide, and the community and we strive to embody this principle in every aspect of our work.

Our program is grounded in the Montessori philosophy and enriched by our values of compassion, curiosity, cultural humility, and collective care. We are dedicated to supporting each child’s natural development, independence, and love of learning, while also fostering meaningful social-emotional connections. Our classrooms are beautifully prepared spaces that encourage exploration, concentration, and collaboration.

We hold our educators in the highest regard and are deeply committed to supporting their professional and personal well-being. At Olu, teachers are seen as collaborators and leaders in the school community. We prioritize fair wages, ongoing mentorship, and a workplace culture that values open communication, shared responsibility, and continuous reflection. We also recognize that our work as educators is inseparable from the broader work of justice and equity—and we welcome team members who are committed to growing in these areas with humility and purpose.

Joining Olu Montessori means becoming part of a close-knit, mission-driven team that is passionate about creating a more peaceful and equitable world—one child at a time.