Learning Guide

About the role

Ad Astra is a private school and learner-driven community with the mission to encourage each person who enters its doors to find a calling and change the world. Our school consists of four studios: Spark (Grades K-2), Discovery (Grades 3-5), Adventure (Grades 6-8), and Launch Pad (Grades 9-12). This is not a traditional school model.

In all areas of school life, our learners are empowered to be in the driver's seat of their learning. We combine elements of the Montessori method with Socratic guiding, hands-on experiential missions, rigorous curricula, and adaptive technology.

We support each student on their personalized journey by fostering an engaging learning environment that feels more like an adventure than school, while still upholding highly rigorous academic standards. Our real-world missions culminate in a public exhibition of learning every 6-8 weeks to allow our students to demonstrate their brilliance in multiple ways.

Responsibilities

• Ensure high levels of each student's academic achievement and growth
• Build a positive studio culture of hard work, high standards, warmth, and joy
• Employ pedagogical best practices aligned to our mission, vision, and values
• Provide structured academic interventions in response to real-time formative data
• Write lesson plans and rigorous, engaging projects for students
• Communicate with parents about student SEL and academic progress
• Participate as part of a broader team to foster cross-studio programs and initiatives
• Motivate and build relationships with students
• Create and facilitate enriching learning experiences for students (guest speakers, field trips, etc.)

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• Experience managing mixed aged groups of children

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Have prior teaching experience
• Experience with Montessori or project-based learning
• Agile with online learning
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills
• Entrepreneurial thinker
• Deep heart for children and a trust and respect for their ability to learn and grow without heavy adult intervention

Additional Requirements

• Must be able to work extended hours, through the summer
• Must be able to work holidays and weekends as needed
• Must be able to lift up to 25lbs unassisted

Itar Requirements

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.