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, Metro-Atlanta's K-6 tuition free 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.

Start Date: January 6, 2024

Hours: Monday-Friday; 7:15AM -4:15PM

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

Role Summary and Information

• Help lead a peaceful, orderly, rich, nurturing classroom
• 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
• Foster relationships with families to enable open and responsive communication about student growth and needs.
• 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 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
• 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

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

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

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

Benefits

Compensation

• Sankofa Montessori