Math Curriculum & Instruction Fellow (Middle School Focus)

Job Description: Math Curriculum & Instruction Fellow (Middle School Focus)

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 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: Provide leadership and support for our math curriculum, instruction, and assessment initiatives, with a focus on developing and implementing a math program in our upcoming Middle School program (expected opening August 2024). This position is for an experienced, effective math educator with a background in standards-based middle school math instruction who wants to complement and support Montessori learning. The fellowship is designed for an educator who is interested in a role that combines classroom instruction and curriculum development. Montessori certification is not required, but qualified applicants will have an interest in the Montessori pedagogy and will develop an understanding of upper elementary and adolescent Montessori education.

• Year 1, Semester 1: Primarily focus on supporting the revision and implementation of our Upper Elementary (Grades 4 and 5) math curriculum, including a portion of time (~25%) devoted to implementing small group math instruction in the classroom.
• Year 1, Semester 2: Primarily focus on planning and developing our 6th grade math program plan and curriculum with continued small group math instruction responsibilities.
• Year 2: Split time and effort between two primary responsibilities: (1) serving as founding lead 6th Grade Math instructor in our small Middle School program and (2) continuing to develop and plan curriculum for the Middle School program with a focus on preparing for the opening of 7th and 8th grades (in 2025 and 2026, respectively).

Role Information

• Full-time role. School hours roughly 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM. Faculty meetings on Wednesdays until 4:30. Regular leadership, coaching, or academic meetings outside of school hours.
• The role primarily follows the school calendar, but may require additional weeks of curriculum development work in the summer. (Summer work compensated separately)
• Reports to: Dean of Academics / Middle School Program Manager
• Key relationships: Principal, Consulting Teachers, Lead Teachers & Assistant Teachers

Measures of Success

• 85% satisfaction among stakeholders with curriculum, assessments, professional development, coaching, etc
• Development of curriculum and assessment materials that meet quality standards (e.g. Louisiana Believes curriculum guidelines)
• Fidelity of implementation of and student progress through curriculum
• Student growth and progress on published school metrics (e.g. internal assessments, gradebook, MAP, TN Ready, etc)
• Satisfactory performance evaluations
• Other indicators

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Academic Coordinator and Middle School Program Manager in our academic alignment and curriculum development efforts by monitoring, evaluating, and adapting our Montessori-based, state standards-aligned roadmap of curriculum and assessment.
• Support the coordination and implementation of aligned math curriculum and assessments.
  • Evaluate and adapt the ongoing work of aligning our Math Seminar and Montessori canon lessons
  • Improve our backwards-designed scope and sequence of Montessori lessons
  • Review and enhance the alignment of our Montessori curriculum with Tennessee standards
  • Adapt and/or create  middle school math curriculum and program plans for our middle school program
• Organize and analyze academic data and support teachers’ use of data for planning and reflection.
• Facilitate academic operations including gradebook records, report cards, family conference logistics, etc.
• Support teachers in understanding and implementing our curriculum.
• Produce aligned academic materials for classroom use.
• Participate in developing and implementing training and ongoing collaboration for teachers.
• Be a model of character and striving toward virtue for students.
• Serve as classroom staff on an as-needed basis when teachers are absent.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Traits

• At least three years of effective teaching experience with middle school children in public schools in high-need communities (please provide student growth and achievement data)
• High capacity for and consistent follow-through on complex organizational projects
• Deep knowledge of math curriculum content, state assessments, and state standards, including an understanding of the progression and coherence of standards across grade levels and subjects
• Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
• Exceptional classroom management skills and instructional practices
• Understanding of children’s developmental needs
• Willing to serve all children, regardless of background or needs, in an inclusive and supportive setting
• Interest in and commitment to Montessori and liberal arts, although Montessori certification is not required
• Bachelor’s degree required and Tennessee teaching license strongly preferred
• Love of learning
• Flexibility, initiative, and personal responsibility to work in fast-paced, startup environment
• Fortitude for the challenges we will face
• Warm and firm demeanor
• Work collaboratively, with a growth mindset. Give and receive feedback in a spirit of craftsmanship.

Compensation

• Salary/wage competitive with compensation for experienced lead teachers in local school district and nearby charter schools.
• Eligible for increases for performance or stipends for 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 www.LibertasMemphis.org, where candidates can also learn more about our school. Please submit a resume, at least three references, and a cover letter (required) explaining why you would be a good fit for this position. Please direct any questions to talent@LibertasMemphis.org. Libertas does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.