Resource Room (Self-Contained Classroom) Guide

Job Description

Job DescriptionSalary: Salary starts at $59,995- 100,222 and will be commensurate with degree and years of experience

Job Opportunity: Resource Room (Self-Contained Classroom) Guide

Location: Washington, DC

Department: Student Support

Application Deadline: Until filled

Employment Type: Full-time

Expected Start Date of Position: August 2026

Reports to: Special Education Coordinator

Compensation: Salary starts at $59,995- $100,222 and will be commensurate with degree and years of experience

FLSA Status: Exempt

About Breakthrough Montessori Public Charter School

Breakthrough Montessori Public Charter Schools mission is to provide diverse families in Washington, DC, a public Montessori education designed to enable children to develop within themselves the power to shape their lives and the world around them.

Founded in 2016, Breakthrough Montessori is a public charter school in Washington, DC. We serve 388 students in PK3 through grade 6. At Breakthrough Montessori PCS, we believe in the unbounded potential of all children. Students of all races, classes, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and backgrounds deserve a personalized education.

Our school is grounded in an institutional commitment to development, prevention, and community. We support human development through an uncompromising application of the time-tested Montessori instructional model. We support prevention through early learning, support and intervention, enabling us to quickly and effectively address learning challenges. Finally, we support the community through an intensive approach to family engagement.

Breakthrough Montessori PCS is committed to equity in all areas of our schools work. We are a supportive environment that seeks to employ a diverse staff reflective of all genders, races, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, and backgrounds.

Breakthrough Montessori PCS is a coaching school; all team members receive and give coaching to support professional growth.

Position Summary:

As part of our continuum of services for students with disabilities, Breakthrough Montessori provides a self-contained classroom known within our school community as the Resource Room. The Resource Room is a structured and supportive learning environment designed for students with disabilities who require significant levels of specialized instruction and support. This setting is grounded in our commitment to academic, social, and emotional success for all learners and includes strategies to integrate students within both the Resource Room and their general education classrooms when appropriate.

The Resource Room Guide plays a vital role in supporting our highest-needs students as they develop the skills necessary to thrive in their Montessori classrooms. This position is designed for a credentialed special education professional who will serve as the lead instructor in this specialized setting, with a focus on academic, functional, and social-emotional growth.

Under the direction of the Special Education Coordinator, the Resource Room Guide will implement research-based interventions and strategies to help students access Montessori materials and build the skills needed for success in inclusive learning environments. Responsibilities include delivering both individualized and small-group instruction (two or more students), tailored to each students specific needs.

Students are generally grouped by age or skill level, in alignment with Montessori classroom age bands (ages 36, 69, and 912). Flexibility, responsiveness to student needs, and strong collaboration with the broader instructional team are essential for success in this role.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

The Resource Room Guide is a 10-month position. Typical working hours are Monday 8:00am-4:30pm and Tuesday-Friday from 8:00 am-4:00 pm. Responsibilities include the following:

• Demonstrate consistent attendance and punctuality to ensure continuity of instruction and student support.
• Manage a caseload of students with IEPs, providing specialized, small group, and individualized instruction aligned with IEP goals and lesson plans.
• Attend and actively participate in IEP meetings; develop and update IEP goals based on student needs.
• Maintain accurate records, including service logs, goal progress, benchmark assessments, and behavior documentation in compliance with IEP requirements and Special Programs.
• Coordinate with related service providers and collaborate with general education teachers to support student progress, particularly for part-time Resource Room attendees.
• Conduct ongoing assessment of student needs alongside service providers.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and developmentally appropriate learning environment, adhering to Montessori guidelines and established cleaning schedules.
• Support students physical, personal care, and safety needs, including feeding, toileting, hygiene, and escorting students as required.
• Foster students social behaviors, self-help skills, and independence in accordance with their individual needs.
• Participate in staff development, meetings, special events, and in-person professional learning opportunities.
• Maintain prompt and regular in-person attendance.
• Perform other duties as assigned by school leadership.
• Maintain the confidentiality of student and family information.

Required Competencies and Qualifications:

• Experience working with students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), including implementation of individualized supports and strategies
• Strong commitment to the schools mission and to anti-bias/anti-racist pedagogy
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of student and family information
• Proven ability to work collaboratively within a diverse team of educators
• Self-starter with the ability to manage responsibilities independently
• Willingness to learn and incorporate Montessori materials and philosophy into practice
• Experience collaborating with classroom teachers and instructional assistants
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and time management skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Experience engaging with families from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds

Education and Experience:

• Experience working with diverse populations of students, parents, and families.
• Bachelors degree in applicable field required
• Special Education certification and/or degree required
• Montessori experience preferred
• Experience in the field of special education and with academic interventions

Benefits:

We provide employees with a robust leave policy that includes:

• Paid personal time off
• Paid COVID sick leave
• Paid family leave (in addition to DC paid family leave)
• Paid bereavement leave
• Paid leave for the observation of a religious holiday

Breakthrough invests heavily in the professional development (PD) of our faculty through:

• A weekly early release schedule with professional development and collaborative planning time from 1:30-4:30 pm every Monday;
• An individual professional development budget of $250/year to pursue additional PD opportunities;
• Conference participation and
• A Continuing Education grant program that provides grantees up to $20,000 to complete Montessori teacher training, an advanced degree or other license.

Other benefits include:

• Health, dental, vision
• Retirement (Vanguard Retirement)

For information on Breakthrough Montessori PCS, including more information on employee benefits and our company culture, visit our website at www.breakthroughmontessori.org.

Breakthrough Montessori PCS is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.