Preschool Teacher (Assistant Montessori Guide)

Montessori Children’s Center | San Francisco, CA
Full-time | Starting at $25/hour, with higher pay based on experience and qualifications

Grow as an educator in a school that believes teachers deserve to be well supported.

Montessori Children’s Center is a classical Montessori school in the Parkmerced neighborhood of San Francisco, serving children ages 2-6.

Since 1976, MCC has helped generations of children develop independence, focus, confidence, and a genuine love of learning. Our classrooms are calm and thoughtfully prepared, our teaching is individualized, and our extensive outdoor space gives children daily opportunities to connect with nature.

Just as importantly, we are building a school where families feel proactively supported and teachers are consistently well cared for.

Why Teachers Choose MCC

• Pathway for professional growth: Develop your practice alongside experienced Montessori educators, with opportunities for ongoing training and career advancement.

• Montessori training support: For the right candidate, MCC may support enrollment in a MACTE-accredited Montessori teacher training program.

• Discounted housing: Access to a discounted housing benefit in the Parkmerced neighborhood of San Francisco.

• Generous time off: Our academic calendar includes two weeks of winter break, one week of spring break, two weeks of summer break, mandated closures, and all federal holidays, in addition to sick and emergency leave.

• Health and financial benefits: Health, dental, and vision insurance, plus a retirement savings plan.

• Wellness and coaching: Designated wellness days, wellness amenities within the school, and access to a private professional coaching benefit.

• A supportive team: Work in a collaborative environment that values thoughtful communication, professionalism, and respect for educators.

About the Role

As a Preschool Teacher / Assistant Montessori Guide, you will work closely with the Lead Montessori Guide to create a calm, joyful, respectful, and developmentally appropriate environment for children ages 2-6.

You will support children through attentive care, active supervision, hands-on learning, consistent routines, and thoughtful guidance while contributing to a well-prepared Montessori classroom.

We welcome candidates from two backgrounds:

• Montessori-trained Assistant Guides who want to deepen their classroom experience and continue growing as Montessori educators.

• Experienced preschool teachers who may be new to Montessori but bring strong early childhood teaching experience and are interested in developing their Montessori practice.

What You’ll Do

• Support the Montessori classroom: Work alongside the Lead Guide to protect the uninterrupted work cycle, support established classroom routines, and help children engage purposefully and independently with their environment.

• Support children’s development: Build trusting relationships and help children develop independence, confidence, concentration, self-regulation, social skills, and consideration for others.

• Provide responsive care and supervision: Actively supervise children indoors and outdoors and support toileting, diapering, meals, rest, transitions, dressing, handwashing, and other self-care needs as appropriate.

• Maintain the prepared environment: Help keep the classroom beautiful, orderly, clean, safe, and ready for children, including preparing and restoring materials and classroom areas throughout the day.

• Observe and document: Observe children objectively, share meaningful observations with the Lead Guide, and maintain accurate daily records through Illumine.

• Collaborate with the teaching team: Follow the Lead Guide’s classroom direction, contribute observations and ideas constructively, communicate openly, and participate in meetings, training, and professional development.

• Partner with families: Welcome families warmly, provide appropriate factual updates about children’s days, and support respectful and professional family communication.

• Support enrichment experiences: Participate in afternoon experiences including nature education, gardening, art, music, movement, and open-ended play.

All teachers share responsibility for the active supervision, safety, care, and day-to-day functioning of the classroom and school.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 12 semester units in Early Childhood Education or Child Development, including the California-required core coursework, or an out-of-state degree or coursework determined to be equivalent to California’s ECE requirements.

• At least 2 years of experience working with children in a licensed preschool, childcare center, Montessori school, or comparable group care setting.

• Ability to meet California childcare licensing requirements, including background clearance, health screening and TB requirements, and Mandated Reporter Training.

• CPR and First Aid certification.

• Ability to work at a child’s level for extended periods, move throughout indoor and outdoor environments, assist children with physical care and transitions, and lift up to 30 pounds.

Preferred Qualifications

• Montessori teacher training or experience working in a Montessori classroom.

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field.

• Experience collaborating closely with a Lead Teacher or teaching team.

• Interest in continuing professional development and growing within Montessori education.

Montessori training or experience is valued but not required. We also welcome experienced early childhood educators who are interested in developing their Montessori practice.

Compensation and Benefits

Starting at $25 per hour or higher, based on experience, education, Montessori background, and qualifications.

Benefits include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance

• Retirement savings plan

• Generous paid time off

• Discounted Parkmerced housing

• Professional coaching benefit

• Wellness benefits and designated wellness days

• Professional development support

• Potential Montessori teacher training support

• Opportunities for career advancement

• Regular compensation reviews

If you are an experienced early childhood educator who cares deeply about children, enjoys working collaboratively, and wants to continue growing professionally, we would love to hear from you.

Apply to join Montessori Children’s Center and grow with a school committed to children, families, and the educators who make our work possible.

Montessori Children’s Center is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic.