Teacher Assistant - Choice Schools

Teacher Assistant

2024 - 2025 School Year

At Battle Creek Montessori Academy, we celebrate children's natural desire to learn, encourage them to move at their own pace, and embrace their unique learning style. Our classrooms are thoughtfully designed environments that foster independence, exploration, and a love for learning. Utilizing the Montessori method, our hands-on, experiential approach, helps students develop a deep understanding of core academic subjects while cultivating essential life skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration.

Qualities of a Success Candidate:

• A genuine love for working with children and a strong commitment to their holistic development. They should prioritize the child's individuality, independence, and self-directed learning, fostering an environment that supports these values.
• The ability to guide children through their learning journey with patience, allowing them to explore and make discoveries at their own pace. They should also be flexible in adjusting their teaching methods to meet the unique needs of each child.
• Strong interpersonal skills, fostering positive relationships with children, parents and other staff members. They should be able to work collaboratively, promoting a harmonious learning environment.

As the Teacher Assistant, your core responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:

Curriculum & Instruction:

• Takes responsibility for students' academic achievement.
• Guides the learning process to achieve curriculum goals and individual learning plans.
• Demonstrates effective planning and organization for instruction.
• Selects suitable materials and adapts methods to cater to students' learning styles and abilities.
• Shows creativity and adaptability to maintain order and foster continued learning.
• Motivates students to reach their full potential, setting high expectations and acknowledging diverse abilities.
• Utilizes resources effectively to support learning in the classroom, academy, and community.
• Demonstrates exceptional classroom techniques, including effective questioning, clear communication, and fostering an atmosphere of mutual respect and engagement.

Classroom Management:

• Collaborates with guardians and instills their confidence.
• Demonstrates genuine concern for students, creating a climate of high expectations and personal responsibility.
• Promotes responsible citizenship through being a positive role model.
• Establishes a classroom atmosphere based on firm, fair, and consistent practices, promoting responsible behavior.

Student Enrollment & Retention:

• Shares responsibility for maintaining the academy's reputation in the community.

Professional Development & Leadership:

• Participates in the development of instructional policies and regulations.
• Utilizes technology effectively for instruction, record-keeping, and communication.
• Takes responsibility for personal growth and professional development, contributing to a cooperative learning community.
• Upholds professional and ethical principles.
• Strives to improve classroom methods, teaching techniques, and interpersonal relationships.
• Reflects personal qualities that positively represent the individual, group, and academy.
• Demonstrates pride in being a teacher and a member of the academy.
• Assumes other assigned responsibilities from the school leader.

Facilities:

• Ensures the learning environment is orderly and instructional facilities and equipment are used appropriately and safely.
• Maintains a clean, safe, and orderly classroom, involving students in its upkeep.

Job Goal: The primary goal of a teacher is to inspire and empower students to reach their full potential. Teachers strive to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment where students feel valued, motivated, and challenged. They aim to foster a love for learning, encourage critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and provide the necessary guidance and resources for students to succeed. Through effective instruction, personalized support, and meaningful engagement, teachers aim to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to thrive in their educational journey.

Essential Skills and Competencies: While we will consider a broad range of backgrounds, the ideal candidate would have the following qualifications/experience:

Minimum Requirements:

• Valid Michigan teaching certificate with endorsements in appropriate grade and subject levels, meeting the requirements of the Michigan Department of Education and federal guidelines. Except as otherwise provided by law, the academy shall use certificated teachers according to the state board rule.
• Or, minimum of a Bachelor's degree and an alternative pathway, which includes passing the MTTC test(s) for endorsements in appropriate grade and subject levels.
• Proven knowledge and expertise in the curriculum and or specific subject area that will be taught.
• Ability to use technology as an instructional tool in the classroom, as a means of analyzing academic achievement data, and as a tool to aid effective communications.

Desired Qualifications:

• Excellent verbal and written expression using standard grammar and vocabulary.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Recent teaching experience, coursework, or other activity in the area of primary instruction
• Demonstrated knowledge of current instructional strategies appropriate for students at the specified grade level
• Desire and ability to work with students at the specified age level with diverse backgrounds and levels of ability toward accomplishing their educational goals.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. Choice Schools offers a full comprehensive benefits plan, including health care, a competitive 401(K) plan, professional development, and much more. View our benefits options here - https://choiceschools.com/careers/careers-choice-experience/

Work Location:399 N 20th St, Springfield, MI 49037

Please contact Autumn Hernandez via email at autumnhernandez@choiceschools.comwith any questions.

Working for Choice Schools Associates

Battle Creek Montessori Academy is part of the Choice Schools Community. As a comprehensive education service provider, Choice Schools offers a student-centered approach to tailored school operations support. Much like a superintendent's office, Choice Schools provides invaluable assistance in various crucial areas, including instruction, professional development, curriculum, human resources, finance, compliance, communications, and enrollment. By being a part of the Choice Schools Montessori Model, Battle Creek Montessori Academy is a vibrant community of learning, comprised of multiple other outstanding Montessori schools within the state. The Montessori Model will provide you with the support and collaboration of a large district while serving at a tight-knit community school in your area.

Choice Schools Associates is an equal opportunity employer. Choice Schools Associates does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, national or ethnic background. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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