Founding Montessori Teaching Assistant

About Sankofa Montessori

Are you looking to make history, join a values-driven community, a community that invests in YOU, and a community that will provide you with what you need to do what you love? Then look no further than Sankofa Montessori, GA's only State Charter School Commission-approved K-6 Public Montessori Charter School.

Our vision is to design more purposeful futures. We achieve our vision by providing a culturally responsive, child- and family-centered Montessori education so we can develop in all of our students the knowledge, skill, and agency to have a life of purpose.

Location: 5881 Phillips Drive, Forest Park, GA, 30297

Start Date: August 14, 2023

Role Summary And Information

• Full-time role. Work hours will vary with the published school calendar; hours are roughly 7:15 AM - 3:45 PM
• Measures of success for position to include student academic growth, family satisfaction, observation feedback, performance evaluations, and related indicators
• At times, take lead position when giving lessons to individuals, small groups, in pull-out lessons, or in lead teacher absence
• Participate in building relationships with families to foster open and responsive communication about student growth and needs
• Foster relationships with families to enable open and responsive communication about student growth and needs
• Key relationships: Students and Families; Teachers; School Leaders
• Meaningful professional development and advancement opportunities
• Assist classroom lead teacher and reinforce the instruction taught in the classroom to students
• Help lead a peaceful, orderly, rich, nurturing classroom

Key Responsibilities

Planning and Instruction

• Assume lead role during lead teacher absences
• Work with teacher to observe and support children, prepare and protect the environment, and give lessons as directed by lead
• When class is not in session, assist by entering grades or typing up class observation notes, preparing Montessori works, and cleaning and organizing the classroom
• Answer children’s questions, grade assignments, and give lessons and assessments as directed by lead

Classroom Culture

• Be a model of character and striving toward virtue for students
• Foster habits of excellence, including order and grace & courtesy, through schoolwide and classroom-level practices and rituals, such as connecting before redirecting, using a warm and firm tone, matching children with works in the environment, tending the heart of virtue through presenting beautiful literature, and sharing responsibility for all our children
• Supervise students within the classroom and outside of the classroom on the playground, during bathroom breaks, at lunch time and on field trips

Family Communication

• Assist in preparing monthly progress reports and quarterly report cards
• Participate in classroom family communication and meetings

Professional Development and Relationships

• Participate in teacher meetings and pairings, team and school-wide planning and professional development, and data reviews
• Check-in with lead teacher in formal meeting at least weekly
• Observe and provide feedback at least twice per term to lead teacher
• Participate in formal check-in with academic support team member at least biweekly

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

For this position, we’re looking for candidates that possess a combination of the following skills:

• Successful background check results required
• Strong interest in earning Montessori certification
• Strong learning orientation and desire to work in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment
• At least a high school diploma or equivalent and/or appropriate child care credential preferred
• Unwavering commitment to Sankofa Montessori’s mission and willingness to go above and beyond to meet the needs of Sankofa Montessori students, families, and staff
• Willing to serve all children, regardless of background or needs, in an inclusive and supportive setting
• Give and receive feedback in a spirit of craftsmanship
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Warm and firm demeanor
• Can complete physical demands of the role (including standing and walking for extended periods of time and lifting heavy objects up to 40 Ibs)
• Preferred experience working or volunteering in high-need communities and/or Montessori environment
• Work collaboratively with a growth mindset

Benefits

Compensation

• We also offer eligible applicants financial sponsorship and additional coaching and support to achieve state licensure and/or Montessori certification
• Deferred pay model distributes salary throughout the year (including breaks and vacations)
• Sankofa Montessori’s compensation philosophy is to pay competitively for the PK-12 charter market to ensure equity across our institution. The hourly wage for this role is $20-23 dollars an hour, based on years of experience and degree held. Sankofa Montessori is committed to internal pay equity throughout our organization. Because of this, we do not negotiate salary offers outside our salary bands
• Investment in professional development and growth

Additional Information

Equal Employment Opportunity: Sankofa Montessori provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type 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.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.