About the Organization

Founded in 1965, Montessori Center School of Santa Barbara (MCS) is an independent school and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The school boasts sixty years rich in a history of nurturing a lifelong love for learning among children ages 18 months through 6th grade – grounded in the Montessori method. An American Montessori Society Member School, MCS fosters independent, self-motivated, confident, life-long learners, who will become positive forces to care for and transform our world. The school is located on a beautiful garden campus in Goleta, California. 

About the Opportunity 

MCS seeks a warm, reliable, and nurturing educator to serve as an Assistant Teacher in our Toddler aftercare program. This role supports our youngest learners in a calm, safe, and engaging environment at the end of the school day and offers an opportunity to work alongside a talented and committed staffulty and a caring community of families.

Working in collaboration with the Toddler Lead Teachers and program team, the Assistant Teacher helps maintain a welcoming, orderly, and developmentally appropriate environment that reflects Montessori principles. In aftercare, this role supports toddlers’ routines, social-emotional development, and growing independence while ensuring each child feels secure, supported, and cared for during the afternoon and evening hours at the conclusion of the school day.

Roles & Responsibilities

A Toddler & Primary Assistant Teacher at MCS performs the following duties:

Classroom Environment & Curriculum

• Support the Lead Teacher in maintaining a beautiful, orderly, and well-prepared Montessori environment that reflects high standards of care, organization, safety, and intentionality for toddlers.
• Assist in the daily Montessori work cycle, including preparing materials, supporting activities with clear modeling and gentle guidance, and reinforcing consistent routines and expectations appropriate for toddlers.
• Support small-group and individual activities as directed by the Lead Teacher, grounded in Montessori principles and aligned with the developmental needs of toddlers.
• Build warm, respectful, and trusting relationships with children, supporting a classroom culture that fosters security, independence, confidence, community, and belonging.
• Reinforce age-appropriate social-emotional development, helping toddlers practice self-regulation, emerging communication skills, cooperation, and problem-solving throughout the day.
• Support children in developing independence in self-care, transitions, and classroom routines consistent with Montessori practices; assist with the implementation of individual behavior or support plans in partnership with the Student Support team as applicable.
• Help maintain a classroom environment that ensures safety, consistency, and predictability; uphold school-wide behavioral expectations and support developmentally appropriate guidance strategies.
• Participate in required supervision duties (indoor/outdoor play, arrival/dismissal, toileting support as applicable) in compliance with California licensing and labor regulations regarding rest and meal breaks.
• Partner with the Lead Teacher and Director of Operations to prepare, organize, and manage classroom materials and supplies within established budgets and procurement guidelines.
• Along with other classroom assistant teachers, maintain primary responsibility for cleaning activities, maintaining the cleanliness and orderliness of the classroom each day. 

Observation & Record-Keeping

• Under the direction of the Lead Teacher, observe and document children’s developmental progress through daily observation and record-keeping, using notes and classroom insights to inform individualized support and classroom planning.
• Assist with conference preparation and documentation for family conference cycles as needed.

Family Engagement

• Support a culture of positive, respectful, and professional communication with parents and caregivers.
• Follow school-wide communication protocols when sharing student information.
• Greet families warmly during dismissal, and school events, helping foster strong home–school partnerships.
• Assist with classroom communications, family events, and visitations as directed by the Lead Teacher.
• Participate in the broader life of the school community, including occasional evening events and occasional weekend commitments (e.g., Back-to-School Night, MCS Town Hall).
• Support and supervise classroom events, on-campus experiences, and family gatherings as assigned, including assisting with supervision and logistics.

Professionalism & School Culture

• Model professionalism, emotional intelligence, and Montessori values.
• Embody MCS’ culture of collaboration, accountability to self-team-families-mission, and continuous improvement.
• Maintain confidentiality and discretion at all times.
• Serve as a steady, solutions-oriented presence for staffulty and families.
• Seek out and embrace opportunities for collaboration with colleagues across the school.
• Model lifelong learning: Seek out opportunities for learning and development, including opportunities to learn from peer feedback from your colleagues.

A Typical Day

Below is a sample schedule for a typical day in this role:

• 10 am: Arrive at MCS
• 10-11:30 am: Cover breaks for Toddler and Primary classroom teachers
• 11:30 am - 12 pm: Primary classroom lunch helper
• 12-2 pm: Toddler nap room
• 2-5:30 pm: Supervising/teaching children in the Toddler classroom
• 5:30-6 pm: Cleaning & prep time