Qualifications

General Expectations and Qualifications:

• Practicing Catholic required.

• High-School Diploma (at least) with Undergraduate Degree preferred and/or training in Primary (K3-K5) Montessori (AMI or AMS).

• Assistants can simply be interested in being trained in the Montessori Method (no training or experience necessary).

• Ability to receive and implement directions from the Montessori guide(s) (for assistants).

• Anticipate and support the needs of the environment and the guide(s).

• Child care experience preferable in a Montessori Classroom.

• Passionate advocate for Montessori education.

• Training in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) preferred.

• Community, collaboration, and collegiality are core values for the faculty at SJL Academy. Therefore, faculty are expected to keep regular commitments of deepening one's own faith and intellectual life as well as honing one's skills and teaching craft together as a Catholic learning community.

• Understanding and passion for the formational mission of Catholic education and Catholic schools.

• A range of experience and skills outside of the educational fields also welcomed.

• Familiarity with classical liberal arts education recommended but not required.

• Willingness to collaborate in a Catholic learning community and docility to improvement and coaching.

• Desire to collaborate with parents in the education of their children.

• Strong organizational skills.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Experience in the classroom recommended but not required.

• High moral character and commitment to personal virtue.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

• Models Catholic spirituality, attitudes, and behaviors.

Duties and needed skills include but are not limited to:

• Embodying in themselves and instilling in their students the theological, intellectual, and moral virtues.

• Modeling Jesus Christ as Teacher.

• Drop off and pick up duties.

• Supervision of lunch and recess.

• Attendance at mass.

• Participation at regular professional development/collegiality events and all faculty in-service meetings.

• Participation at evening parent events.

• Curriculum development and implementation.

• Organizing physical space for learning, e.g., safe, accessible, supports the type of learning, etc.

• Managing student behavior guided by Gospel values, e.g., respectful.

• Establishing classroom routines, rules, and procedures consistent with school policy, e.g., clearly defined, communicated, and practiced.

• Communicating high expectations for learning, e.g., supporting students for growth.

• Creating a faith-filled environment that engages the whole student, e.g., space and culture.

• Working with families as partners in their child’s education by Providing feedback of student progress to families, e.g., timely, consistent, frequently, etc.

• Engages families as partners in the educational process and the life of the school.

• Understanding school’s mission and his/her role in it by serving as role model for Gospel values for students and families.

• Demonstrating a professional demeanor and attitude in alignment with the school’s mission, e.g., follows Code of Ethics.

• Taking responsibility for professional growth, e.g., open and applies to feedback.

• Demonstrating a commitment towards spiritual growth in the context of the Catholic school, e.g., active participation.

• Contributing to a joyful school environment.

• Collaborating with colleagues, e.g., analyze, inform plan, and be supportive in implementation.

• Serving beyond the classroom in school committees/activities/events as it relates to a joyful school environment.

• Demonstrating knowledge of students by clearly stating instructional outcomes that reflect curriculum expectations for students.

• Designing coherent instruction (lessons/units) that have a clearly defined structure and logical supportive activities.

• Transferring content knowledge to students, through clear directions, procedures, and explanations that are clear and developmentally appropriate.

• Promoting learner engagement in an environment that is engaging and aligned to learning needs.

• Timely completion/submission of all required documentation related to parent communication, instruction, assessment, and grading.

• Supervising students during all student contact times/activities.

• Uses formal and informal assessment data to design instruction for current and future instruction.

• Clearly identifies and communicates assessment criteria.

• Provides opportunities for student self-assessment and monitoring.

• Informs the Principal and respective staff of plans outside of the norm.

• Other duties as assigned.