LEARNING GUIDE

Ad Astra is part of the Acton Academy network of schools and 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. The Acton Academy model is intended for highly motivated, self-directed learners who work well both independently and in groups of similar aged peers. Our school consists of three studios: Spark (ages 4-7), Discovery (ages 7-11), and Adventure (ages 11-13). We have no teachers or grades and each child is responsible for their own learning. We combine elements of the Montessori method with Socratic guiding, hands-on experiential quests and interactive technology. Underlying our method is an application of the Hero’s Journey, creating a lively learning environment that feels more like an adventure than school. Our real world-oriented quests culminate in a public exhibition of learning every 5-6 weeks as opposed to test scores and report cards. In all areas of school life, our learners are empowered to be in the driver’s seat of their learning.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Learn to lead Socratic discussions and how to work with the Acton Academy learning design, processes and systems by completing a required onboarding process
• Equip our Raptors to take ownership of their learning and monitor progress on core skills curriculum by setting up systems and guiding learners in setting goals, tracking their progress and creating portfolios of their work to show peers, parents and future employers what they can do
• Pass along each of the above responsibilities to learners as quickly as possible, so as to encourage students to lead themselves
• Be responsible for facilitating the growth and development of a studio culture of hard work, high standards, warmth and joy
• Serve as a game-maker to deliver an engaging real-world quest that follows each session’s learning arc by following or co-creating Launches and Quests (projects), including developing daily challenges and curating world class examples
• Create meaningful exhibitions, ceremonies and celebrations that reinforce the rules of engagement, personal and group covenants to provide and strengthen a safe learning community
• Affirm students, holding them accountable to their promises and to their commitment to deliver “the best work they can do” as they discover and pursue a calling on a Hero’s Journey
• Act as a role model as an independent learner on a Hero’s Journey
• Cultivate a positive, beautiful, orderly and inspiring studio environment
• Practice the Socratic method at all times (i.e., instead of answering questions, guide students to find the answers themselves)
• Communicate/meet with parents minimally, following the Acton model of facilitating communication between parents and children directly

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

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

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience planning and implementing games or projects; coaching or mentoring
• A passion for disruptive education opportunities
• Deeply curious and ready to learn and work hard in high pressure, fast paced environment
• Agile with online learning
• Excellent writing and 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
• Kind-hearted, tough-minded and an independent worker
• Calm demeanor and secure in being on a Hero’s Journey

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

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