Guide / Teacher for a project-based, student-led school

GUIDE for Elementary/Middle School Studio

NOTE: When applying, please follow the directions further down the description that says "Next Steps" or your application will not be considered.

About the position:

Acton Academy Twin Falls, LLC is seeking a guide who is ready to change the world of education. We have an opening in our elementary/middle school studio. The new guide (teacher) would lead the studio on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The current guide will continue leading on M/W/F. The new guide will have the option to work up to full time as they finish their onboarding training, most likely at the start of the new school year in August.

About Acton Academy Twin Falls:

Do you believe that children are more powerful than we ever imagined? Do you believe that children should be the primary drivers of their learning, the architects of their own education and life's calling? Do you believe Montessori principles gives children a solid foundation for learning? Do you believe project-based learning is more beneficial than textbooks alone?

If you answered “yes!” to these questions, then we'd love to explore how you can join our team of passionate Montessorians, entrepreneurs and innovators in a revolutionary school with a campus now in Twin Falls, ID.

A Deeper Look:

At Acton Academy, we believe children are on a journey—what we call the hero's journey—to discover their calling/passions in life. As part of the journey, children ask themselves: “Who am I? Where am I going? How do my passions and talents connect with the world around me? How can I serve a great need and even change the world?”

Students taking charge of their own learning is integral to the journey at Acton. Acton students challenge themselves to become the agents and primary drivers of their learning. Acton is a student-driven, self-paced school that blends Montessori materials, outdoor play, state-of-the-art software and hands-on projects with real-world applications, Socratic discussions and the Hero's Journey in a student-centered, multi-age classroom.

If your goal is to instill your love of learning in others while advancing in your own professional growth, this is your chance to get in with one of the world's most innovative schools.

Please take a little time now to explore our website. It is full of resources regarding our learner-driven community. https://www.ActonAcademyTF.org

School begins mid August and is an 10.5-month program. We run on 4-7 week sessions with 1-2 week breaks between sessions. We are closed for six weeks in the summer (July and half of the month of August.) The Guide should be available to learn and prepare minimally throughout the summer, especially during the first year after joining Acton Academy.

Position Description:

Guides assistant and support other Guides, Program Administrator and Founders to:

• Affirm students, holding them accountable to their promises and to deliver “the best work they can do” as they discover and pursue a calling on a Hero’s Journey.
• Create meaningful exhibitions, ceremonies and celebrations that reinforce the rules of engagement and personal and group covenants to provide and strengthen a safe learning community.
• Act as a role model as an independent learner on a Hero’s Journey.
• Lead Socratic discussions.
• Guide Quests (projects), including daily challenges and curating world-class examples.
• Set up their studio as inspiration for learning.
• Incorporate Acton programs and self-directed materials and lessons into ‘Core Skills’ work time. Observe and track each child’s progress.
• Encourage young learners to track their progress and create portfolios to show parents, peers and apprenticeship employers what they can do.
• Uphold promises to students, parents and fellow Guides made in relational covenants.
• Communicate with parents.
• Pass along each of these responsibilities to the children as quickly as possible, so as to allow them to lead themselves.
• Thoughtfully observe each child as an individual and the group as a whole to help inspire them along their personal and group journey. A willingness to be more of an observer than a doer.
• Complete onboarding training period within 1 year after joining Acton.
• Embody a growth mindset and incorporate it into all aspects of the program, including the Guide’s own personal development.

Qualifications:

• Innovative and entrepreneurial spirit and experience required
• A deep curiosity about life and love of lifelong learning
• Excellence in written and oral communication skills
• The ability to lead Socratically

A degree in education is not necessary. If you have launched a business, not-for-profit organization or led a major project, these are suitable and more sought after qualifications. Traditional teachers have the most difficult time adapting to the Acton model. The Guide role is NOT a “teaching” role and all ego is to be removed.

Instead, successful lead guides at Acton are:

• Masters of observation
• Ability to question and lead Socratically
• Have evident passion for being on a Hero’s Journey

This is a position for an independent learner who can work with little direct guidance; someone who likes to collaborate, experiment, evaluate and continually improve; someone who has a deep respect for all children believing that each human has genius within; and someone who is a flexible problem-solver. It is essential that this person can learn fast, loves to work hard and is an active reader and writer.

Next Steps:

If interested, as your first step in your audition process, please read deeply through our website (www.actonacademytf.org) and the original campus’s website (www.actonacademy.org/austin). Then conduct some of your own research on Acton Academy. Also read "Courage to Grow" by Laura Sandefer (original co-founder). Online or hard copies are available.

Then if you feel you understand and connect with our vision, please submit your resume and a thoughtful cover letter that outlines the following questions:

How do your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position?

How is the position part of your own journey?

What do you fear the most regarding this position?

What is your preferred work schedule?

Compensation

Acton offers a competitive pay of $25/hr commensurate with experience previous to Acton and while at Acton.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: From $26.00 per hour

Expected hours: 14 per week

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Relocation assistance
• Tuition reimbursement

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• No weekends

Work Location: In person

Salary : $25 - $26