​Hollyhock Montessori is seeking an Assistant Teacher for the 2025–26 school year.

We offer a beautiful, well-appointed environment and an amazing community of children and families. Our school culture is built on respect and joyful learning for all. We value authenticity, community, and autonomy with support.

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Who We Are

Hollyhock Montessori is a micro school serving children ages 3–6 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. We opened in August 2024 with 16 students and will grow to serve 24 students in 2025–26.

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Our Network

Hollyhock Montessori is part of Wildflower Schools, a network of 1–2 room, teacher-led, authentic Montessori learning environments serving children from infancy through high school. The Wildflower model combines time-tested Montessori methods with strong family partnerships, intentionally small school size, teacher empowerment, and deep community connection.

At Hollyhock, our aim is to build and support a responsive community of learners. As educators and school leaders, we are committed to engaging deeply in what Maria Montessori called the preparation of self, especially as it pertains to examining our implicit biases, blind spots, and prejudices.

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How We Work

The Wildflower network is decentralized and non-hierarchical, rooted deeply in values of connectedness and growth, and guided by a set of  intentional principles that shape each school’s creation and design.

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Your Role​​

As an Assistant Teacher, you will be a critical member of our school, supporting our community by maintaining the prepared environment and reinforcing Montessori’s philosophy of whole child education.  Working with a co-assistant, responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Preparing and repairing curricular materials

• Ensuring that the environment is prepared for children each day

• Supporting with all aspects of the daily routine, including lunch, dishes, nap time, recess, bathroom duties, and classroom laundry

• Supporting children in the development of independence and providing support/scaffolding when necessary

• Observing children and sharing questions and observations with the teacher

• Keeping the “tone” of the classroom to protect student concentration

• Modeling ‘grace and courtesy’, proper classroom procedures, and a love of learning

• Supporting your own intellectual and professional growth through self-refection and participating in opportunities for professional growth and learning

• Conference and intervention support

 

Experience

• Previous experience supporting early childhood learners

• Previous experience supporting children in an inclusive classroom

• Previous Montessori experience preferred but not required 

 

Mindset

• Committed to your practice as an educator

• Committed to equity: You are eager to expand access to quality early education for racially and socioeconomically diverse communities; you are ready to engage in anti-bias, anti-racist self-work and community-work

• Generous: You live with kindness, practice gratitude and lead with love. You seek advice openly and are comfortable working in a non-hierarchical organization.

• Growth oriented: You are a curious self-starter who is eager to find purposeful work in community with others, to stretch beyond your current experience, to develop new skills and expertise, and to more fully explore your purpose and potential. 

• Not required, but of interest: 

  • Experience as an artist, musician, farmer, gardener, or outdoor educator

  • Aptitude for organizing space and materials

  • Experience in community organizing

    

Hours & Benefits 

This is a full-time position for the 2025-26 school year (August - May).  Salary commensurate with experience and education with a starting range of $27,360 - $34,240, plus benefits.  Hollyhock Montessori also offers a beautiful and supportive work environment, opportunities for ongoing professional development, and connection to the wider Wildflower community and supports. 

 

Ideal candidates will be seeking to grow in this role and further their career in Montessori as a long-term member of our team. 

 

Physical Requirements

The role requires the ability to move around the classroom and outdoor areas, engage with students at their level (including sitting on the floor and getting up frequently), and lift materials up to 30 pounds. Clear vision, hearing, and manual dexterity are necessary to interact with and supervise students safely.

 

Learn More

Please send a resume or summary of your experience along with an introduction to erin@hollyhockmontessori.org 

 

Hollyhock Montessori does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, creed, religion, sex or gender, disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, status with regard to public assistance, or in any other way based on personal identity markers that do not relate to the capacity of an individual person to carry out the responsibilities of a role.