Resident Co-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
The Resident Co-Teacher supports the Montessori Lead Teacher in leading a peaceful, orderly, rich, nurturing classroom while preparing to complete Montessori certification and become a Lead Teacher.

Role 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. In consultation with Lead Teacher and Coach, gradually take over more lead teaching responsibilities when giving lessons to individuals, small groups, in pull-out lessons, or in Lead Teacher absence.
• Work closely with Lead Teacher to create weekly lesson plans and quarterly report cards, to analyze student data, and to meet with families at twice-yearly Family Conferences and at other times as needed. Gradually take on more ownership of these responsibilities as the residency year progresses.
• 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 for Professional Development). Most teachers spend approximately 4-6 hours per week outside of the regular school day for planning, collaboration, and preparation. After-school planning and development meetings for Resident Teachers occur once or twice per week. Assist with periodic school events outside of the normal schedule.
• Start date: In-house professional development begins in late July for most employees.
• Reports to: Lead Teacher and/or Coach, evaluated by Principal
• 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; Instructional Support Staff

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 Teacher and/or Coach
• Answer children’s questions, grade assignments, and give lessons and assessments as directed by Lead Teacher  and/or Coach
• 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 teaching role during Lead Teacher absence
• 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
• Complete online Montessori Foundations course during the fall semester.
• Check-in with Lead Teacher in formal meeting at least weekly
• Participate in formal check-in with instructional 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 schools.
• Desire and aptitude for completing Montessori credential and state teacher certification.
• Interest in and commitment to Montessori and liberal arts.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Warm and firm demeanor.
• Love of learning.
• Spirit of humility and a “nothing is not my problem” attitude. Willingness to do what it takes to provide the best for the smallest.
• 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. We also offer dental, vision, and other benefits, and retirement plans similar to local schools.

Libertas does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.