Job Description: Assistant Teacher

Background

Libertas School of Memphis is a Montessori, liberal arts public charter elementary school serving a high-need neighborhood in Memphis. Our mission is to be a school for human flourishing: cultivating minds, hands, and hearts for lives of wonder, work, and love. We offer students from preschool through fifth grade a rich, rigorous, and personalized education in multi-age classrooms through Montessori learning, supported with rich liberal arts content through Core Knowledge, and the best practices of high-performing urban schools. This work is done within an attachment village of supports between school, families, and our community.

Role summary and information

• Help Lead Teacher run a peaceful, orderly, rich, nurturing classroom that cultivates children’s minds, hearts, and hands for lives of wonder, work, and love.
• Assist classroom lead teacher and reinforce the instruction taught in the classroom to students. 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.
• Full-time role. Work hours will vary with the published school calendar; instructional hours roughly 7:35 AM - 3:30 PM (Wednesdays until 4:30 PM). Assist with periodic school events outside of the normal schedule.
• Start date: Immediately upon successful completion of the interview process and reference/background checks.
• Reports to: Dean of Academics
• Measures of success for position to include student academic growth, family satisfaction, observation feedback, performance evaluations, and related indicators.
• Meaningful professional development and advancement opportunities.
• Key relationships: Students and Families; Teachers; School Leaders

Key responsibilities

Planning and Instruction

• Work with teacher to observe and support children, prepare and protect the environment, and give lessons as directed by lead
• Answer children’s questions, grade assignments, and give lessons and assessments 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
• Assume lead role during lead teacher absences

Classroom Culture

• Foster habits of excellence, including order and grace & courtesy, through school-wide 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
• Be a model of character and striving toward virtue for students
• 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

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

Professional Development and Relationships

• 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
• Participate in teacher meetings and pairings, team and school-wide planning and professional development, and data reviews

Other duties as assigned

Qualifications and Traits

• Preferred experience working or volunteering in high-need communities and/or Montessori environment.
• Interest in and commitment to Montessori and liberal arts.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
• At least associate’s degree and/or appropriate child care credential preferred.
• Warm and firm demeanor.
• Love of learning.
• Flexibility, initiative, and personal responsibility to work in fast-paced, startup environment.
• Fortitude for the challenges we will face.
• Work collaboratively, with a growth mindset. Give and receive feedback in a spirit of craftsmanship.

Compensation

• Salary/wage competitive with the local school district and nearby charter schools.
• Eligible for increases, bonuses, or stipends for performance or additional duties.
• Investment in faculty professional development and growth. We also offer to eligible applicants our Teacher Residency program, which provides financial sponsorship and additional coaching and support to achieve state licensure and/or Montessori certification. Please contact us for more details.
• Paid sick leave. Deferred pay model distributes salary throughout the year (including breaks and vacations).
• Full time employees are eligible for health insurance benefits, which we sponsor at an above-market rate (approx. 80% covered by employer for all levels of coverage). We also offer dental, vision, and other benefits, and retirement plans similar to local schools.

Application process

Interested candidates should apply online at https://libertasmemphis.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=22. Please submit a resume, at least three references, and a cover letter (required) explaining why you would be a good fit for this position. Libertas does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.

Work Remotely

• No

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $15.00 - $18.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Grade levels:

• Elementary school
• Pre-Kindergarten

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

School type:

• Charter school
• Montessori
• Public school

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

• School or Daycare/Childcare: 1 year (Required)

Work Location: One location