Lower Elementary Guide
Described as Silicon Valley meets the one-room Montessori school house, Acton Academy is just finishing its first year in Columbus and we are looking to add a positive and excited full-time elementary guide (teacher) to our team.
Are you ready to change the world of education? Do you believe that children should be the agents and primary drivers of their learning, the architects of their own education and life calling? Do you believe that Montessori principles are the best foundation for life's journey? Does the idea of helping children with self-paced, socratic, project based learning in a small, entrepreneurial, and non-bureaucratic environment excite you?
If your answer to all these questions is “yes!”, we'd love to explore how you can join our team of passionate Montessorians at Acton Academy Columbus.
What is Acton Academy?
Acton Academy Columbus will be entering it’s second year as a new Montessori learner-driven elementary school that guides each child on a journey to discover a calling and change the world. Acton combines today’s evidence based best practices in education including self-paced STEM and language core skill learning technology, Montessori principles, project driven mastery; with a deliberate focus on soft skills such as teamwork, leadership, and conflict resolution.
Acton Academy Columbus is an independent affiliate of Acton Academy, founded in 2009 in Austin, Texas. The Acton network includes 200 "learner-driven" schools across the United States and around the world.
Acton Academy Columbus students learn together in a small mixed age classroom, bringing the classic one-room school house into the modern age. Students learn to mentor and be mentored by one another. Our Guides (our term for teachers) are not lecturers, but act as facilitators of student growth.
We are located at 5762 Wilcox Rd, Dublin, OH. With the school year starting in the fall, our innovative elementary school (grades 1 to 6) is an all-day program (8am-3pm) and will be open August - June.
Position Description
In collaboration with the team, the guide (teacher) will oversee a class of up to 12 students ages 6 - 9. She/he will be responsible for facilitating the development of a studio culture of hard work, high standards, warmth, and joy. She/he will:
Prepare the studio environment so that expectations are clear and learners are set up for success.
Facilitate Socratic group discussions.
Practice the Socratic method at all times (instead of answering questions, guiding students to find the answers themselves).
Launch quests (project-based learning).
Guide children in self-governance.
Guide students in setting goals, tracking their progress, and creating portfolios of their work.
Guide children in creating meaningful exhibitions of their work.
Seek to pass the responsibility for the studio and for learning to students as quickly as possible, so as to allow students to lead themselves.
Model being an independent learner on a hero's journey and uphold Acton's promises to students and families.
Communicate/meet with parents, as necessary.
Though most of the curriculum will be set already, the guide will be responsible for daily/weekly/yearly planning as well as evaluating and refining the existing curriculum and designing and experimenting with new projects, tools, and approaches. The guide will also maintain the classroom environment and document learner progress (student projects, achievements, and everyday activity).
Qualifications
We are looking for someone with a deep curiosity about life, a lifelong love of learning, and an entrepreneurial spirit (must thrive in a startup environment). She/he will be responsible for facilitating a nurturing and joyful studio culture.
We need someone who has:
Experience working with children (ages 6 -11).
An entrepreneurial mindset and desire to experiment, evaluate, and improve on everything she/he does.
A willingness to be coached and mentored.
A deep respect for all children and empathy for the challenges children face in their lives.
A commitment to practicing gentle, compassionate limit setting.
A strong teamwork ethic, a genuine desire to collaborate with colleagues, and a steadfast sense of professionalism.
Acton offers a competitive salary. The position also offers opportunities for professional development, growth, and advancement.
To apply, please fill out the form (Note, it will take 30 minutes to fill this out)