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’s compensation philosophy is to pay competitively for the PK-12 charter market to ensure equity across our institution. 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.