Careers at MCS

Title: Library Specialist

Start Date: August 8, 2025

Reports to: Head of School

Employee Classification: Salaried exempt, full-time; 10-month employee

Schedule: 8:30 am - 5 pm Mondays - Fridays; IN PERSON ON CAMPUS

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.

Roles & Responsibilities:

The Library Specialist will perform the following roles and responsibilities:

Library Environment

• Design and maintain a calm and joyful environment in the MCS library that is culturally responsive and nurtures a high-quality whole-child early childhood program that aligns to the American Montessori Society (AMS) accreditation standards as they pertain to specialist programs and classes.
• Manage the library collection through selecting, acquiring, organizing, and maintaining age appropriate library resources.
• Build warm and nurturing rapport with each of your students and establish strong routines for the classroom that help the students learn how to be independent and thrive within the boundaries of the environment.
• Lead and support great experiential learning opportunities and Montessori “going out” lessons for your students (e.g. guest authors, trips to the Santa Barbara Public Library, etc.), which includes carefully planning, communicating and lead-chaperoning field trips for MCS program levels.
• Support strong school culture among the children by supervising and supporting during common time across various parts of the school day as needed (e.g. arrival procedures, playground time, dismissal procedures, and or after care).
• Maintain a well-organized, tidy and clean physical environment in the library that reflects Montessori principles of order, simplicity and beauty. Manage the library and library parent volunteers.

Lesson-planning

• Design, deliver and store digitally for future use by the school lessons that are appropriate to each program level’s developmental plane and that expose the children to a breadth and depth of topics and skills within your content area.
• Implement strategies and supports to serve the unique needs of every child in your classroom. This includes partnering with the Director of Student Support to design and implement strategies to support neurodiverse children and those with disabilities.

After Care Program & Library Family Hours

• Guide and deliver an after-school program for Primary, Lower Elementary and/or Upper Elementary students as part of the school’s After Care program.
• Hold and promote “Family Hours” 1-2 days/week in the library for students and their families.

Family Engagement

• Be an excellent communicator with parents; work to engage parents and caregivers as great partners in each student’s educational process.
• Utilize school-wide protocols, share data and updates routinely with families regarding their children’s academic and social development.
• In consultation with the Director of Enrichment and Director of Community Engagement, create and post two program update posts for ParentSquare (one fall, one winter/spring) to help parents gain insight into the work you lead with children in your program.
• Be responsive, receptive, and welcoming of parent/caregiver inquiries and feedback.
• Participate in the life of the school community by supporting annual events, including occasional weekend commitments (e.g. the fall harvest festival, annual benefit auction).

Teamwork, Learning & Development

• Embody MCS’s core values in your daily interactions with children, families and staffulty.
• 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.
• Be a great communicator with your colleagues: Attend to the details when completing grow notes or accident reports, and recognize and act on the knowledge that it is often the seemingly small things that can make a huge difference in the daily lives of the children, their families and your colleagues when it comes to careful and timely communication.
• Pursue continuing education opportunities through being an active participant in the school’s learning and development opportunities (L&D days, workshops, etc.) and by seeking out opportunities for ongoing professional development through high quality training centers and resources.

Qualifications

An Employee hired into this role will evidence the following qualifications:

Experience & Professional Qualifications

• Experience managing a children’s library and prior experience working with all age groups you teach in the school (three+ years preferred)
• Demonstrated track record of utilizing various sources of information and data (observations, lesson records and formal assessment) to inform instructional choices and guide work with students to support strong whole-child outcomes.
• Excellent written and oral English communication skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing)
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university required
• A Master’s degree in Library Science or Library and Information Science (MLS, MLIS) from a graduate library program accredited by the American Library Association preferred
• Completion of at least 12 core Early Childhood Education (ECE) units

Mindsets

• Commitment to MCS’ mission, vision and core values
• Demonstrated capacity to collaborate effectively as a member of a results-oriented, high-performing team
• Passion for serving children of all abilities
• Commitment to living out principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging
• Sound professional judgment and decision-making skills
• Capacity to share, receive, and implement feedback with grace and agility
• High level of emotional intelligence, integrity and humor; low-ego
• High level of personal organization, planning and follow-through

Physical Requirements

The roles and responsibilities of this position with the school require the Employee to perform the following physical requirements of working in the school environment:

• Physical stamina to work with school-aged children.
• Frequent walking, kneeling, standing, stooping, sitting on the ground, and occasional lifting, up to approximately 50 pounds.
• Must be able to grasp and feel the attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature and texture.
• Able to move as needed to ensure the safety of the children, which includes walking on playground wood chips, grass and sand; running; and jogging. Other physical activities may be required.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer information, determining the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions, noise and hazards.
• Daily personal and close contact with children to provide classroom management and learning environment support is required.
• Regular in-person contact with parents and staffulty is required.

These physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an Employee to perform successfully the essential functions of this job. MCS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with this commitment, MCS will take steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations.

All MCS Employees must be authorized to work in the United States and must clear a DOJ/FBI background check (LiveScan).

Compensation

This is a salaried, exempt full-time position 40 hours per week, 12 months per year. Compensation for this position is competitive and commensurate with starting annualized salary for experienced applicants ranging from $59,000 to $87,000 annually. Full-time employees of MCS are eligible for comprehensive health and wellness benefits, 403b retirement plan matching and paid time off (PTO).

To Express Interest

To express your interest in this role with MCS, please email: (1) a well-written, one-page cover letter and (2) a one- or two-page professional resume to Head of School, Vanessa Jackson: v.jackson@mcssb.org. Resumes will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and we aim to make an offer to a highly qualified candidate for this role by June 1, 2025.

Talent Inclusivity & Non-discrimination

Montessori Center School is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse community where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. We are an equal-opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, and local laws. 

We celebrate diversity and are dedicated to creating a welcoming environment for our students, families, faculty, and staff. Our Montessori philosophy emphasizes respect for all individuals, and we strive to uphold these values in every aspect of our school community.

If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact Birgit Crable: b.crable@mcssb.org.

Title: Spanish Specialist

Start Date: August 8, 2025 

Reports to: Head of School

Employee Classification: Salaried exempt, full-time; 10-month employee

Schedule: 8:30 am - 5 pm Mondays - Fridays; IN PERSON ON CAMPUS

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.

Roles & Responsibilities:

The Spanish Specialist will perform the following roles and responsibilities:

Classroom Environment

• Design and maintain a calm and joyful classroom environment that is culturally responsive and nurtures a high-quality whole-child early childhood program that aligns to the American Montessori Society (AMS) accreditation standards as they pertain to specialist programs and classes.
• Build warm and nurturing rapport with each of your students and establish strong routines for the classroom that help the students learn how to be independent and thrive within the boundaries of the environment.
• Lead and support great experiential learning opportunities and Montessori “going out” lessons for your students (e.g. guest speakers, cultural festivities, field trips), which includes carefully planning, communicating and lead-chaperoning field trips for MCS program levels.
• Support strong school culture among the children by supervising and supporting during common time across various parts of the school day as needed (e.g. arrival procedures, playground time, dismissal procedures, and or after care).

Lessons

• Design, deliver and store digitally for future use by the school lessons that are appropriate to each program level’s developmental plane and that expose the children to a breadth and depth of topics and skills within your content area helping students gain strong command of oral and written Spanish.
• Implement strategies and supports to serve the unique needs of every child in your classroom. This includes partnering with the Director of Student Support to design and implement strategies to support neurodiverse children and those with disabilities.

After Care Program

• Guide and deliver an after-school program for Primary, Lower Elementary and Upper Elementary students as part of the school’s After Care program.
• Help out in Primary and/or Elementary After Care as needed.

Family Engagement

• Be an excellent communicator with parents; work to engage parents and caregivers as great partners in each student’s educational process.
• Utilize school-wide protocols, share data and updates routinely with families regarding their children’s academic and social development.
• In consultation with the Director of Enrichment and Director of Community Engagement, create and post two program update posts for ParentSquare (one fall, one winter/spring) to help parents gain insight into the work you lead with children in your classroom.
• Be responsive, receptive, and welcoming of parent/caregiver inquiries and feedback.
• Participate in the life of the school community by supporting annual events, including occasional weekend commitments (e.g. the fall harvest festival, annual benefit auction).

Teamwork, Learning & Development

• Embody MCS’s core values in your daily interactions with children, families and staffulty.
• 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.
• Be a great communicator with your colleagues: Attend to the details when completing grow notes or accident reports, and recognize and act on the knowledge that it is often the seemingly small things that can make a huge difference in the daily lives of the children, their families and your colleagues when it comes to careful and timely communication.
• Pursue continuing education opportunities through being an active participant in the school’s learning and development opportunities (L&D days, workshops, etc.) and by seeking out opportunities for ongoing professional development through high quality training centers and resources.

Qualifications

An Employee hired into this role will evidence the following qualifications:

Experience & Professional Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university
• Experience teaching in your specialist content areas and prior experience working with all age groups you teach in the school (3+ years preferred)
• Demonstrated track record of utilizing various sources of information and data (observations, lesson records and formal assessment) to inform instructional choices and guide work with students to support strong whole-child outcomes.
• Excellent written and oral English communication skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing)
• Native speaker level written and oral communication skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing) in the target language of Spanish
• Completion of at least 12 core Early Childhood Education units

Mindsets

• Commitment to MCS’ mission, vision and core values
• Demonstrated capacity to collaborate effectively as a member of a results-oriented, high-performing team
• Passion for serving children of all abilities
• Commitment to living out principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging
• Sound professional judgment and decision-making skills
• Capacity to share, receive, and implement feedback with grace and agility
• High level of emotional intelligence, integrity and humor; low-ego
• High level of personal organization, planning and follow-through
• Ability to recognize and embrace that perfect is the enemy of good

Physical Requirements

The roles and responsibilities of this position with the school require the Employee to perform the following physical requirements of working in the school environment:

• Physical stamina to work with school-aged children.
• Frequent walking, kneeling, standing, stooping, sitting on the ground, and occasional lifting, up to approximately 50 pounds.
• Must be able to grasp and feel the attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature and texture.
• Able to move as needed to ensure the safety of the children, which includes walking on playground wood chips, grass and sand; running; and jogging. Other physical activities may be required.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer information, determining the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions, noise and hazards.
• Daily personal and close contact with children to provide classroom management and learning environment support is required.
• Regular in-person contact with parents and staffulty is required.

These physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an Employee to perform successfully the essential functions of this job. MCS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with this commitment, MCS will take steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations.

All MCS Employees must be authorized to work in the United States and must clear a DOJ/FBI background check (LiveScan).

Compensation

This is a salaried, exempt full-time position 40 hours per week, 12 months per year. Compensation for this position is competitive and commensurate with starting annualized salary for experienced applicants ranging from $59,000 to $87,000 annually. Full-time employees of MCS are eligible for comprehensive health and wellness benefits, 403b retirement plan matching and paid time off (PTO).

To Express Interest

To express your interest in this role with MCS, please email: (1) a well-written, one-page cover letter and (2) a one- or two-page professional resume to Head of School, Vanessa Jackson: v.jackson@mcssb.org. Resumes will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and we aim to make an offer to a highly qualified candidate for this role by June 1, 2025

Talent Inclusivity & Non-discrimination

Montessori Center School is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse community where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. We are an equal-opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, and local laws. 

We celebrate diversity and are dedicated to creating a welcoming environment for our students, families, faculty, and staff. Our Montessori philosophy emphasizes respect for all individuals, and we strive to uphold these values in every aspect of our school community.

If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact Birgit Crable: b.crable@mcssb.org.

Title: Director of Development

Start Date: July 1, 2025

Reports to: Head of School

Employee Classification: Salaried exempt, full-time; 12-month employee

Schedule: 8 am - 4:30 pm Mondays - Fridays; IN PERSON ON CAMPUS

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 an engaging and experienced fundraising professional to build and lead the school’s fundraising program. This is an opportunity to galvanize a community of current and alumni families to show their love for MCS and support the school’s mission and long term vision via generous financial support. Leading strategy and execution of annual fund, the spring gala and alumni engagement and giving programs, a team member in this role will demonstrate a bias toward action, excellent communication and relationship-building skills, and strong systems thinking. This is a great opportunity to roll up your sleeves and help the community to come together in support of our whole-child educational program and a 60-years-old community of families across Santa Barbara County and beyond.

Functional Roles & Responsibilities

The Director of Development will advance the following priorities and responsibilities for the school:

1. Fundraising Strategy and Execution

• Create and implement a comprehensive fund development plan to meet the school’s financial goals that articulates the case for giving, the user experience of an MCS family – from admissions to alumni-hood – with respect to giving, and the role of the Board of Trustees in fund development.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors, including current families, alumni families and foundations.
• Lead The Fund for MCS annual giving campaigns and planned giving initiatives.

2. Donor Relations

• Build and maintain strong relationships with current and prospective donors with a particular emphasis on cultivating engagement among MCS alumni families.
• Plan and execute donor recognition and stewardship programs.
• Prepare and deliver compelling proposals, presentations and reports for donors.

3. Events & Community Engagement

• In close collaboration with the school’s Director of Community Engagement and gala committee, plan the school’s annual benefit auction gala, delivering strong financial performance and a great donor experience.
• Engage with the school community to promote a culture of philanthropy.
• Represent the school at community events and networking opportunities.

4. Development Operations

• Manage the development budget and ensure effective allocation of resources.
• Actively manage the donor database and ensure accuracy of records.
• Provide regular reports to the Head of School and Board of Trustees on fundraising progress and initiatives.
• Oversee production of the school’s annual report and other donor engagement communications tools and collateral.

Qualifications

Successful candidates for this role will bring the following qualifications:

Experience & Professional Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university
• 5+ years experience in a fundraising role for a school or nonprofit organization
• Prior leadership responsibility for raising $500,000+ in annual giving with a proven track record of meeting annual development goals
• Strong understanding of the principles and practices of fundraising, including major gifts, annual giving, planned giving and capital campaigns
• Experience delivering strong communications across a diverse community of donors
• Excellent written and oral English communication skills with the ability to create compelling narratives and presentations
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with donors, volunteers and community members
• Highly organized, with strong event management skills and attention to detail
• Proficiency in development software and donor database management

Mindsets

• Commitment to MCS’ mission, vision and core values
• Demonstrated capacity to collaborate effectively as a member of a results-oriented, high-performing team
• Commitment to living out principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging
• Sound professional judgment and decision-making skills
• Independent self-starter capable of managing multiple, complex projects to completion on competing and parallel timelines
• Capacity to share and receive and implement feedback with grace and agility
• High level of emotional intelligence, integrity and humor

Compensation

This is a salaried, exempt full-time position 40 hours per week, 12 months per year. Compensation for this position is competitive and commensurate with starting annualized salary for experienced applicants ranging from $113,000 to $130,000 annually. Full-time employees of MCS are eligible for comprehensive health and wellness benefits, 403b retirement plan matching and paid time off.

To Express Interest

To express your interest in this role with MCS, please email: (1) a one-page cover letter and (2) a one- or two-page professional resume to Head of School Vanessa Jackson: v.jackson@mcssb.org. Resumes will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and we aim to make an offer to a highly qualified candidate for this role by July 1, 2025.

Talent Inclusivity & Non-discrimination

Montessori Center School is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse community where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. We are an equal-opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, and local laws.

We celebrate diversity and are dedicated to creating a welcoming environment for our students, families, faculty, and staff. Our Montessori philosophy emphasizes respect for all individuals, and we strive to uphold these values in every aspect of our school community.

If you require accommodations during the application process, please let us know.

Title: Part-time STEM Specialist

Start Date: August 7, 2025

Reports to: Head of School

Employee Classification: Hourly non-exempt, part-time; 10-month employee

Schedule: 12-15 hours/week; 10 am to 5 pm Mondays & Tuesdays weekly IN PERSON ON CAMPUS

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 Position

Montessori’s hands-on approach to teaching and learning is uniquely well suited for great STEM instruction! At MCS, in our dedicated STEM Lab environment, students in grades kindergarten through sixth access weekly instruction in coding, design thinking and engineering.

We are looking for an innovative and passionate STEM educator to join our staffulty in the 2025-26 school year as our STEM Specialist to continue to champion and deliver STEM learning in our elementary program. This dynamic and experienced team member will design and deliver weekly STEM Lab classes and will launch an afternoon robotics program for upper elementary (grades 4-6). This is a great opportunity for an experienced science educator who is eager to help students tap into their curiosity and creativity for STEM as they build skills and knowledge to become middle school ready! Working in a highly collaborative team-oriented setting, you will be supported by colleagues skilled in the Montessori child-directed learning model.

Roles & Responsibilities:

The STEM Specialist will perform the following roles and responsibilities:

Design & Deliver Outstanding STEM Specialist Classes

• Design and maintain a calm and joyful environment in the MCS STEM Lab that sparks curiosity, creativity and independence. Nurtures a high-quality whole-child early childhood program that aligns to the American Montessori Society (AMS) accreditation standards as they pertain to specialist programs and classes and that reflects best practices in future-ready STEM education in K-12.
• Build warm and nurturing rapport with each of your students and establish strong routines for the classroom that help the students learn how to be independent and thrive within the boundaries of the environment.
• Design, deliver and store digitally for future use by the school lessons that are appropriate to each program level’s developmental plane and that expose the children to a breadth and depth of topics and skills within your content area.
• Implement strategies and supports to serve the unique needs of every child in your classroom. This includes partnering with the Director of Student Support to design and implement strategies to support neurodiverse children and those with disabilities.
• Lead and support great experiential learning opportunities and Montessori “going out” lessons for your students (e.g. guest scientists, trips to UCSB science labs, etc.), which includes carefully planning, communicating and lead-chaperoning field trips for MCS program levels.
• Manage the STEM Lab. Maintain a well-organized, tidy and clean physical environment in the STEM Lab that reflects Montessori principles of order, simplicity and beauty. Manage the STEM Lab inventory and ensure safe and secure storage of all equipment and materials.

Family Engagement

• Be an excellent communicator with parents; work to engage parents and caregivers as great partners in each student’s educational process.
• Utilize school-wide protocols, share data and updates routinely with families regarding their children’s academic and social development.
• In consultation with the Director of Enrichment and Director of Community Engagement, create and post two program update posts for ParentSquare (one fall, one winter/spring) to help parents gain insight into the work you lead with children in your program.
• Be responsive, receptive, and welcoming of parent/caregiver inquiries and feedback.
• Participate in the life of the school community by supporting annual events, including occasional weekend commitments (e.g. the fall harvest festival, annual benefit auction).

After School Robotics Program

• Design and teach an after school robotics program one afternoon per week.
• Coordinate students’ participation in robotics competitions.

Teamwork, Learning & Development

• Embody MCS’s core values in your daily interactions with children, families and staffulty.
• 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.
• Be a great communicator with your colleagues: Attend to the details when completing grow notes or accident reports, and recognize and act on the knowledge that it is often the seemingly small things that can make a huge difference in the daily lives of the children, their families and your colleagues when it comes to careful and timely communication.
• Pursue continuing education opportunities through being an active participant in the school’s learning and development opportunities (L&D days, workshops, etc.) and by seeking out opportunities for ongoing professional development through high quality training centers and resources.

Qualifications

An Employee hired into this role will evidence the following qualifications:

Experience & Professional Qualifications

• Experience managing a school science lab and prior experience working with all age groups you teach in the school (three+ years preferred)
• Demonstrated track record of utilizing various sources of information and data (observations, lesson records and formal assessment) to inform instructional choices and guide work with students to support strong whole-child outcomes.
• Excellent written and oral English communication skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing)
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university required

Mindsets

• Commitment to MCS’ mission, vision and core values
• Demonstrated capacity to collaborate effectively as a member of a results-oriented, high-performing team
• Passion for serving children of all abilities
• Commitment to living out principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging
• Sound professional judgment and decision-making skills
• Capacity to share, receive, and implement feedback with grace and agility
• High level of emotional intelligence, integrity and humor; low-ego
• High level of personal organization, planning and follow-through

Physical Requirements

The roles and responsibilities of this position with the school require the Employee to perform the following physical requirements of working in the school environment:

• Physical stamina to work with school-aged children.
• Frequent walking, kneeling, standing, stooping, sitting on the ground, and occasional lifting, up to approximately 50 pounds.
• Must be able to grasp and feel the attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature and texture.
• Able to move as needed to ensure the safety of the children, which includes walking on playground wood chips, grass and sand; running; and jogging. Other physical activities may be required.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer information, determining the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions, noise and hazards.
• Daily personal and close contact with children to provide classroom management and learning environment support is required.
• Regular in-person contact with parents and staffulty is required.

These physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an Employee to perform successfully the essential functions of this job. MCS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with this commitment, MCS will take steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations.

All MCS Employees must be authorized to work in the United States and must clear a DOJ/FBI background check (LiveScan).

Compensation

This is an hourly, non-exempt part-time position 12-15 hours per week, 10 months per year. Compensation for this position is competitive and commensurate with a starting hourly rate of $31.90 to $40.50/hour.

To Express Interest

To express your interest in this role with MCS, please email: (1) a well-written, one-page cover letter and (2) a one- or two-page professional resume to Head of School, Vanessa Jackson: v.jackson@mcssb.org. Resumes will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Talent Inclusivity & Non-discrimination

Montessori Center School is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse community where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. We are an equal-opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, and local laws.

We celebrate diversity and are dedicated to creating a welcoming environment for our students, families, faculty, and staff. Our Montessori philosophy emphasizes respect for all individuals, and we strive to uphold these values in every aspect of our school community.

If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact Birgit Crable: b.crable@mcssb.org.

Title: Toddler or Primary Program Assistant Teacher (ages 18 months through 3 years)

Start Date: August 7, 2025

Reports to: Head of School

Employee Classification: Hourly, non-exempt, full-time; 10-month employee

Schedule: 7:30 am - 3:30 pm Mondays - Fridays; IN PERSON ON CAMPUS

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.

Roles & Responsibilities:

An Employee serving in the role of Toddler or Primary Assistant Teacher at the School is expected to perform the following roles, responsibilities, essential duties and services, and will meet the following professional qualifications and requirements. These roles, responsibilities, essential duties and services may be amended from time to time at the sole discretion of the Head of School or their designee.

Roles & Responsibilities:

A Toddler or Primary Assistant Teacher will perform the following roles and responsibilities:

Supporting the Children, the Lead Teacher & the Classroom Environment

• Support the Lead Teacher’s preparation of a safe, clean, well-resourced, welcoming and orderly Montessori classroom environment (both indoor and outdoor) that provides for a highly effective academic program. Assume primary responsibility for keeping the classroom environment tidy, orderly and clean in conformance with the Montessori classroom aesthetic, American Montessori Society (AMS) accreditation standards, and DSS licensing requirements. Keep the classroom well-stocked with consumables each day by performing cleaning routines, running copies, prepping paper materials, sharpening pencils, etc.
• Under the direction of the Lead Teacher in the classroom and in alignment with the School’s common practices, uphold the core principles of Montessori educational philosophy appropriate to the program level (Toddler or Primary) in which the Employee is placed.
• Provide “classroom overview,” to allow the Lead Teacher to deliver lessons and conduct child observations. Be up and about, actively supervising to identify instances wherein a child may need guidance, redirection or support. (This not only protects the Lead Teacher’s lessons but also assures children’s safety, and ensures that observational data is being gathered continuously, students are navigating the environment appropriately, and concentration is honored.)
• Nurture strong relationships with each child, foster natural engagement and curiosity, and take a stand for equity, inclusion and belonging for every student in the classroom.
• When appropriate, and under the direction of the Lead Teacher in the classroom, support children’s progression through the curriculum, implementing individualized strategies, as appropriate, that best meet each child’s unique needs.
• Support safe and smooth routines and procedures for daily arrival and dismissal, lunch, playground and other common school- and level-wide protocols.
• Support the planning of and serve as a chaperone for field trips and other learning experiences outside of the classroom environment.

Family Engagement

• Be an excellent communicator with parents; work to engage parents and caregivers as great partners in each student’s educational process.
• Be responsive, receptive and welcoming of parent/caregiver inquiries and feedback.
• Participate in the life of the school community by supporting annual events, including occasional weekend commitments (e.g. the fall harvest festival, annual benefit auction).

Teamwork, Learning & Development

• Embody MCS’s core values in your daily interactions with children, families and staffulty.
• Seek out and embrace opportunities for collaboration with colleagues across the school.
• Model lifelong learning: Seek out opportunities for ongoing teacher training, learning and development, including opportunities to learn from manager and peer feedback from your colleagues.
• Be a great communicator with your colleagues: Attend to the details when completing grow notes or accident reports, and recognize and act on the knowledge that it is often the seemingly small things that can make a huge difference in the daily lives of the children, their families and your colleagues when it comes to careful and timely communication.
• Pursue continuing education opportunities through being an active participant in the school’s learning and development opportunities (L&D days, workshops, etc.) and by seeking out opportunities for ongoing professional development through AMS.

Qualifications

An Employee hired into this role will evidence the following qualifications:

Experience & Professional Qualifications

• Experience working in an early childhood education environment (3+ years preferred)
• Excellent written and oral English communication skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening)
• Completion of at least 12 core Early Childhood Education units

Mindsets

• Commitment to MCS’ mission, our whole-child vision and our core values
• Demonstrated capacity to collaborate effectively as a member of a results-oriented, high-performing team
• Passion for serving children of all learning styles and abilities
• Commitment to living out principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging
• Sound professional judgment and decision-making skills
• Capacity to share and receive and implement feedback with grace and agility
• High level of emotional intelligence, integrity and humor
• High level of personal organization, planning and follow-through
• Ability to recognize and embrace that perfect is the enemy of good

Physical Requirements

The roles and responsibilities of this position with the school require the Employee to perform the following physical requirements of working in the school environment:

• Physical stamina to work with school-aged children.
• Frequent walking, kneeling, standing, stooping, sitting on the ground, and occasional lifting, up to approximately 50 pounds.
• Must be able to grasp and feel the attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature and texture.
• Able to move as needed to ensure the safety of the children, which includes walking on playground wood chips, grass and sand; running; and jogging. Other physical activities may be required.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer information, determining the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions, noise and hazards.
• Daily personal and close contact with children to provide classroom management and learning environment support is required.
• Regular in-person contact with parents, staffulty members is required.

These physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an Employee to perform successfully the essential functions of this job. MCS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with this commitment, MCS will take steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations.

All MCS Employees must clear a DOJ/FBI background check (LiveScan), must provide a negative TB test, must know the school emergency procedures, and must perform other duties not specifically stated as directed by the Head of School.

Compensation

This is an hourly, non-exempt full-time position 40 hours per week, 10 months per year. Compensation for this position is competitive and commensurate with starting hourly rate ranging from $23/hour to $32.00/hour. Full-time employees of MCS are eligible for comprehensive health and wellness benefits, 403b retirement plan matching and paid time off (PTO).

To Express Interest

To express your interest in this role with MCS, please email: (1) a well-written, one-page cover letter and (2) a one- or two-page professional resume to Head of School, Vanessa Jackson: v.jackson@mcssb.org. Resumes will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Talent Inclusivity & Nondiscrimination

Montessori Center School is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse community where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. We are an equal-opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, and local laws.

We celebrate diversity and are dedicated to creating a welcoming environment for our students, families, faculty, and staff. Our Montessori philosophy emphasizes respect for all individuals, and we strive to uphold these values in every aspect of our school community.

If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact Birgit Crable: b.crable@mcssb.org.