Elementary or Middle School Teacher (Guide) @ an Innovative School
2 days ago
Redwood City
Are you an educator who is passionate about making an impact and inspiring young learners… but now feels stuck in an outdated, rigid system that values information and test scores over a love of learning, creativity and gaining meaningful real life skills that would equip children to pursue their calling? Are you craving meaningful work, but feel burnt out by traditional education? Do you see students as unique individuals with their own paths and get excited to support them in unlocking their best potential? If yes, then you are at the right place. At Acton Academy Silicon Valley our single measure of success is whether every learner leaves more capable and confident on their own hero’s journey. As a Guide at our school, you are an active coach, not a lecturer, babysitter, or passive observer. Your daily work is to empower, support, and inspire young people to become the best version of themselves and love learning. Successful guides in this role are not just warm and hardworking. They are organized, thoughtful, coachable, and highly dependable. They can take a clear vision, work within a defined planning process, and produce strong, detailed, usable work that leads to excellent learner experiences. The strongest guides also bring something harder to teach: presence, curiosity, and the ability to genuinely connect with young people. They make learners feel both supported and challenged. They create a studio culture that is engaging, purposeful, and deeply human, and they model the kind of grounded, thoughtful adulthood that families want their children around. In practice, that means you will: • Lead with humility: Intentionally step back, keep the spotlight on the learners, and trust the process. Resist the urge to lecture or control; instead, ask the right questions and let the studio experience do the teaching., • Stay Socratic and neutral: Use questions, not answers, to provoke thinking. Hold space for multiple viewpoints, refrain from imposing your own, and model respectful inquiry even on sensitive topics., • Champion ownership: Coach, inspire, and equip each learner to set meaningful goals, track progress, and reflect on wins and setbacks so they grow the habits of self-direction and intrinsic motivation., • Keep the challenge sweet spot: Design and facilitate experiences that stretch learners just beyond their comfort zone while providing the tools, feedback, and support they need to avoid panic and thrive., • Cultivate mindset and character: Model and reinforce growth mindset, kindness, courage, collaboration, and resilience so learners build the “good human” skills that matter in life., • Shape studio culture: Maintain clear systems, high standards, and a spirit of joy and curiosity that makes the studio a safe, vibrant place to take risks, create, and learn together., • Personalize the journey: Observe closely, listen deeply, and tailor guidance so that each learner’s strengths, passions, and needs are honored as they master core skills and explore new frontiers., • Plan with intention: Prepare quests, cycles, and check-ins that align with our mission, then adapt quickly when learner needs or studio dynamics call for it. Every studio, session, and learner is unique, so the details will evolve. What never changes is the purpose: empowering young heroes to discover who they are, where their gifts lie, and how they will use them to make the world better and pursue their calling. We’re currently seeking Guides to join us in this bold mission who have experience working with children (teaching credential not required) in an educational, coaching, or mentoring setting: • One Guide for our mixed-age K-1 classroom (Montessori or Reggio background is a plus, but not required), • One Guide for our mixed-age 2nd-3rd classroom, • One Guide for our mixed-age 4th-5th classroom, • One Guide for our mixed-age 6th-8th classroom Skills and Abilities We’re Seeking: • Planning and lesson design - Can design coherent learning experiences with a clear purpose, logical sequence, realistic pacing, and strong learner engagement, not just a collection of disconnected activities., • Organization and follow-through - Can manage multiple responsibilities, meet deadlines, keep materials and plans in order, and consistently bring work to a ready-to-use standard without excessive chasing or reminders., • Ability to work within systems - Can follow shared planning templates, expectations, and feedback processes with accuracy and consistency, understanding that strong work must also be usable by others on the team., • Attention to detail - Notices what is missing, unclear, incomplete, or likely to cause confusion in execution, and addresses those issues before they become problems for learners or teammates., • Judgment and problem-solving - Can make sound decisions, think ahead, identify gaps, and respond thoughtfully when things are ambiguous or do not go according to plan., • Coachability - Can receive direct feedback professionally, apply it effectively, and show visible improvement in the quality, clarity, and completeness of their work over time., • Ownership and accountability - Takes responsibility for outcomes, communicates early when support is needed, and follows through without needing constant oversight., • Clear communication - Can communicate clearly and professionally in writing and in person with leadership, teammates, learners, and families., • Learner facilitation - Can lead with warmth and clarity while maintaining high standards, using questions, systems, and accountability to build learner independence rather than over-directing., • Presence, warmth, and connection - Builds trust naturally with learners and contributes to a studio environment that feels safe, engaging, respectful, and full of life., • Curiosity and love of learning - Models genuine interest in ideas, growth, and discovery, and brings an energy that helps learners become more engaged themselves., • High standards with heart - Holds firm expectations while remaining deeply encouraging, respectful, and steady with young people., • Team orientation and professionalism - Works in alignment with leadership, contributes to a healthy team culture, and can be trusted to operate with maturity, consistency, and discretion. 💼 Compensation: • $70,000–$90,000 per year, depending on experience and fit.