Job Description

Posting number: 26-27-05315

Department: K12 Support

Division: Elementary Education

Job classification: Educational Assistant Montessori

Posting type: Open

Categories: Paraprofessional, K-12

Tacoma Public Schools

Expected Start Date: September 1, 2026

FTE: 0.75

Hours per day: 6 working hours per day, 6.5 hours in building including a 30-minute duty free lunch

Salary Level: PA4A01 $27.75 - Base,

PA4E01 $28.50 - Base + AA, or

PA4F01 $28.75 - Base + BA/BS

Union/Days per year: Paraeducator, 192 work days, 10 month

Benefits: This job has the full range of benefits offered by Tacoma Public Schools.

Examples of duties

This position assists a certificated Montessori teacher and the Montessori Liaison. This position tutors students individually or in small groups; monitors students in the Montessori classroom, at lunch, on the playground or boarding buses; and provides general Montessori classroom assistance.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Provides individual instruction in a variety of activities.

2. Tutors children individually or in small groups on a variety of subjects; compiles, reviews and records student assignments and progress.

3. Monitors student behavior in the classroom, lunchroom, and during recess; monitors students entering or leaving the building, between classes or boarding buses.

4. Assists Montessori teacher with classroom management; assists in preparing teaching lessons; duplicates, organizes, distributes and files teaching materials.

5. Assists in administering District tests; records student scores and reports results.

6. Assists Montessori teacher with student progress reports.

OTHER JOB DUTIES

1. Attends building staff meetings; provides information regarding students; attends program meetings, workshops, and school related activities.

2. Performs related duties as assigned, on a temporary basis, to assist the Montessori teacher(s) or administrative staff.

3. Regular, reliable, predictable attendance or physical presence is an essential job requirement and critical to the performance of the work.

CONDITIONS

Required to concentrate on detail; exposed to high noise levels during children’s' activities; may be required to work outdoors in inclement weather; required to deal with upset students; exposed to infectious disease; may be required to lift and carry up to 20 pounds, bend, squat, stoop, kneel, crouch, walk, twist, climb, and/or be mobile.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

Associate’s degree or 72 credit hours of post secondary education or passing state test to demonstrate knowledge and ability to assist in instructing students; one year of experience in working with school-aged youth, preferably in a Montessori classroom setting; some Montessori training preferred; or any combination of experience and training which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and ability required to perform the work and that meets federal and state requirements.

Licenses/Special Requirements

Assistants working with the health impaired may be required to obtain a first aid certificate and training in CPR.

Fingerprints and successful WSP and FBI background clearance/sexual misconduct clearance.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of Montessori philosophy and methods of instruction.

Knowledge of childhood academic, social, and physical development.

Skill in problem solving.

Ability to obtain, clarify and exchange information.

Ability to relate positively with parents and children.

Ability to organize and coordinate activities.

Ability to demonstrate reasonable, reliable, and regular attendance.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of people in a multi-cultural setting.

Ability to participate as part of a team.