We're Hiring!

We’d love to talk to you if you possess:

• Recognized teacher training and/or TN Teaching License
• A willingness to be more of an observer than a doer among learners
• An innovative and entrepreneurial spirit
• A deep curiosity about life
• The spirit of a person who “marches to the beat of their own drum”
• Familiarity with and a commitment to anti-bias and anti-racist (ABAR) pedagogy
• A love for learning with a passion for the process of learning versus simply the outcome
• Training in project-based and/or experiential learning practices
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Effective time management and organizational skills
• The ability to work collaboratively with colleagues to enhance community

This is a position for an inspired and independent learner who can work within our framework under the guidance of the Program Director and/or Founder; someone who likes to collaborate, experiment, evaluate and continue to improve; someone who has a deep respect for all children, believing that each human has genius within; and someone who is a flexible problem-solver. It is essential that this person can learn fast, loves to work hard, and is excited about innovation in education.

Essential job functions:

• The Guide will be working in a multi-age studio
• Guides are expected to lead Socratic discussions each morning, inspire our heroes to explore, be curious, and take ownership of their learning, monitor learner progress on our self-paced curriculum, and create life-oriented projects (Quests) that nurture student curiosity and culminate in learning exhibitions for the Acton community
• The Guides main role will be to move learners on a journey to understand and develop their most precious gifts, discover their deepest passions, and explore how to use these passions to serve others in a meaningful way that brings them joy
• Affirm students, holding them accountable to their promises and to deliver the best work they can do as they discover and pursue their calling
• Create meaningful learning exhibitions, ceremonies, and celebrations that reinforce the rules of engagement, and personal and group covenants to provide and strengthen a safe learning community
• Act as a role model as an independent learner on a Hero’s Journey
• Launch and lead Socratic discussions
• Guide Quests (projects), including daily challenges and curating world-class examples
• Maintain Studio supplies and environment, and set up Studio as inspiration for learning
• Incorporate self-directed materials and small group lessons into Core Skills work time
• Observe and track each learner’s progress
• Encourage young learners to track their progress and create portfolios to show parents, peers, and apprenticeship employers what they can do
• Uphold promises to learners, parents and fellow Guides made in relational covenants
• Pass along each of these responsibilities to the learners as quickly as possible, to allow them to lead themselves
• Thoughtfully observe (and document) each child as an individual and the group as a whole to help inspire them along their personal and group journey
• Embody a growth mindset and incorporate it into all aspects of the program including the Guides own personal development

Additional Requirements

• Teaching certification / training
• CPR/First Aid certification (preferred)
• Pass a background check

Compensation

• Starting Salary: commensurate with experience
• Primary medical benefits available
• Paid time off and paid holidays

How To Apply

If you're interested in one of our open positions, start by applying here and attaching your resume or submit your resume to careers@thelabschoolofmemphis.com. The preferred application deadline for this position is April 1, 2024. Please note that we do not guarantee review of applications after this date. 

The Lab School of Memphis, Inc. is an equal-opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status.

New School Learning organizes pods of 15 learners who live locally  and are all enrolled in an online school or homeschool program. We provide a location for parents to drop their learners off, and staff those locations with a Learning Guide. New School Guides are responsible for making the space a place where learners are safe, can focus and complete assignments, and have fun together. 

In some ways, a New School Guide is similar to a traditional teacher. Guides truly enjoy being with young people and supporting their growth. They must have strong relationships with learners and their families. Guides need to deeply know their learners and connect them with meaningful learning experiences. Our studios are an inclusive environment and Guides must be able to welcome and support learners from all backgrounds.

In many ways being a New School Guide is not like being a traditional teacher at all. New School learners are enrolled in an online school/homeschool program with its own curriculum and teachers. New School Guides are responsible for learning the ins and outs of each student’s academic program and creating plans to support each young person in meeting their academic goals. Responsibilities will include goal setting, personalized check-ins, and individualized coaching. To support real-world skill acquisition, the Guide has a responsibility to create opportunities for experienced-based learning through facilitated project-based learning and relevant career exploration. 

As a Guide, you have more flexibility and autonomy than a traditional teacher to do what you believe is best for the learners in your studio. If there’s a new exhibit at a local museum you want to take the learners to, you can make that happen. If enough learners in the studio love robotics, you can create a robotics team. The sky's the limit!

About the Role

• Coach learners one-on-one: Guides work with students throughout their time at New School to help identify resources, provide academic tutoring using differentiated instructional strategies, provide feedback on progress, coach around mindset and goal setting. Affirm learners, holding them accountable to their promises and to deliver the best work they can do as they discover and pursue their calling.
• Facilitate project-based learning quests: Learning quests are 4-6 week inquiry-based learning modules for learners, helping them develop knowledge and abilities, while allowing them to explore interests. We have a growing library of quests developed by staff and curriculum designers, and work with our team to develop new offerings.
• Develop new learning experiences and improve current quests: Guides will develop new learning experiences with the guidance and support of curriculum staff on an annual basis. Guides will also continuously improve current quests on an ongoing basis in collaboration with learning experience designers.
• Track student progress and goals: Using our internal learning management system and other tools, ensure learners are meeting their learning goals and document feedback for learners, caregivers, and New School team members. Provide ongoing feedback on learner progress to all stakeholders.
• Support overall school, community, and company growth: We are a new school and organization, and look to each team member to help us build the right model, culture, processes, and policies. We are growing, and we will need you to grow and change with us!
• Communicate with the team and learners: As a multi-site workplace and learning studio, we expect each community member to communicate proactively and thoughtfully. 

Desired Skills, Education and Experience, and Mindsets

• Experienced practitioner: Possess a bachelor’s degree and at least two years of teaching experience. Completed a teacher training program and licensed to teach in Tennessee. 
• Innovative, entrepreneurial spirit: Exercise exceptionally good judgment and err on the side of caution and safety when making decisions concerning learners. 
• Local Leader/Ambassador: Is well connected to the local parent community. Willingness to share their position at New School and news around their learning studio with their local and social network to grow their studio’s enrollment is a plus. Interested in expanding their local network by representing New School at local events (occasionally outside of traditional hours) and fostering partnerships with local institutions. Passionate about their learning studio and learners. Connect with their parents and build a community. Capture the magic happening at their studio regularly for their parents and marketing purposes.
• Student focused: Experience working with middle or high school students and a belief that adolescence is a special time of life with its own specific joys and opportunities. You’re honored to be a part of it and respect our students’ ability to drive their own education, with our support. Act as a leader and culture builder and think strategically about how to create a harmonious environment where kids want to be. 
• Subject matter expertise: A broad, demonstrated understanding of middle and high school content, standards, and academic areas, with clear expertise in various component parts.
• New School academic model & philosophy alignment: Appreciation for and experience with learner-centered, progressive education and a desire to build something new for learners and for the world.
• Excited to build a new school and education model: Interested in being part of a unique hybrid school model and excited to dive into the unknown (and resilient when we learn more and change course).
• Critical thinking: You are intellectually curious, with strong critical thinking skills, and a deep interest in furthering your own learning.
• Communication skills: Responsive, professional, and understand working with a wide range of stakeholders including young people and adults; proactive at building relationships.
• Demonstrated investment in DEIB:  Invested in furthering diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging through curricular design and implementation as well as active participation in the Memphis community. We take seriously our commitment to build and support a diverse community of learners, families, and team members and look for team members who believe that this is vital to education, and have experience fostering it in the classroom.
• Bachelor’s degree
• At least 2 years of teaching experience following completion of a teacher training program
• Experience working with learners with neurodiversities
• Fingerprinting and background check required

Compensation

• Salary Range: commensurate with experience
• Primary medical benefits available
• Paid time off and paid holidays

How To Apply

If you're interested in one of our open positions, start by applying here and attaching your resume or submit your resume to careers@thelabschoolofmemphis.com. The preferred application deadline for this position is April 1, 2024. Please note that we do not guarantee review of applications after this date. 

The Lab School of Memphis, Inc. is an equal-opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status.