Interim Adolescent ⅞ Math Guide

Lake Country School Montessori•Minneapolis, MN

10d•$48,000 - $70,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Lake Country School seeks an Adolescent Math Guide to teach mathematics, specifically a foundation in Algebra, to 7th and 8th grade students in our Junior High program. This position is highly collaborative. The Math Guide co-teaches with the Science Guide in our integrated Field Studies program, taking the lead directing Math lessons and supporting Science lessons. The Math guide also works closely within the JH core team composed of the Field Studies and Humanities teachers (English and Social Studies), as well as with specialist teachers and Land School staff to connect learning across subjects. The Math Guide creates an engaging classroom where students build mathematical understanding and skills through inquiry, problem solving, discussion, and real-world applications that reflect diverse perspectives and reference their own experience. The guide helps students develop confidence, independence, and perseverance while providing instruction and support that meets the developmental needs of adolescents. Beyond the classroom, the Math Guide is an active member of the Junior High team, participating in field experiences, camping trips, travel, and student mentorship. The guide also shares responsibility for planning school programs, participating as a member of the staff community in development, planning and outreach work, and helping maintain a safe, welcoming, and well-prepared learning environment.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or higher preferred.
Strong math proficiency.
Mathematics and/or Minnesota teaching certification, or experience teaching math at the middle or secondary level, preferred.
Understanding of the Montessori philosophy of education; AMI Montessori certification preferred.

Nice To Haves

The ideal candidate is a natural collaborator who participates in community life and service, and who genuinely enjoys the outdoors, camping, and learning alongside adolescents.

Responsibilities

Teach math at the 7th and 8th grade levels, continuing to develop a hands-on Montessori algebra curriculum that builds on concepts, practices and materials from Children's House, Elementary 1, and Elementary 2, including some utilization of the IXL program.
Deliver a curriculum of foundational algebra over the two years of Junior High, designed so students can access it in either order (typically a linear year and an exponential year).
Implement student-centered, inquiry-based learning grounded in the developmental needs and tendencies of the adolescent, along with curriculum writing and systematic best practices in math teaching from a diverse perspective.
Use practical applications and projects to make math concepts accessible and spark genuine interest.
Establish clear objectives for lessons, units, and projects using formal and informal assessment data.
Use a variety of culturally relevant practices to support content standards and the needs and capabilities of individual students and groups.
Create a classroom environment conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity and interests of the students.
Co-teach with the Junior High Science Guide, applying math curriculum to concurrent science curriculum.
Collaborate with the Science guide to utilize their experience to support in the classroom and to create and schedule lessons, co-ordinate support for students across both disciplines, and support Science lessons when needed.
Collaborate as part of a team of professional educators creating an environment that serves students holistically across the entire Junior High Program.
Co-lead and attend Key Experiences: a 15-day camping trip in the fall; leading a crew of students through a month-long theater experience and production in the winter; and a 5-day bike and camping trip in the spring.
Engage in trips and experiential learning with students, and oversee and support students in their experiential learning throughout the year.
Serve as a mentor to 7th and 8th grade students, helping them develop independent thinking and self-reliance through purposeful work.
Partner with students, teachers, and parents to nurture and assess student development in all areas: social, emotional, cognitive, physical, and moral through in-person check-ins, conferences, and written reports.
Help students practice emotional self-regulation skills to develop resilience, a growth mindset, and an appreciation for supported, repeated practice as the primary path to math competency.
Help students overcome negative self-concepts about their mathematical ability and guard against future self-imposed limitations.
Commit to community instruction: mixed-gender, mixed-grade, and mixed-ability classrooms without tracking, while using informal grouping for differentiated instruction and extended challenge where helpful.
Support students in applying math skills individually and through assigned group collaboration, eliciting participation from all students and developing peer support and leadership within groups.
Promote inclusivity and a sense of belonging for all; nurture compassion for others and the environment; promote a vision for peace through social change, and support the development of leadership through service to the Junior High community and larger communities.
Maintain accurate, complete, and correct records.
Implement all policies and rules governing student life and conduct, both at school and on field trips.
Conduct and participate in parent conferences and phone conferences as needed.
Perform other duties necessary for the Junior High Program as assigned by the Head of School or supervisor.
Maintain and improve professional competence through ongoing professional development.
Pursue continuous learning in anti-bias, anti-racist teaching and culturally relevant pedagogy.
Participate in appropriate Montessori training as needed; may involve travel.