Student Advocate

Creative Montessori Academy; Southgate (MI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Creative Montessori Academy (CMA) is a Choice Schools Community partner focused on student-centered Montessori education. We prepare environments that nurture wonder, curiosity, and independent learning through the Montessori Method.

Educators collaborate with teachers, parents, and administrators to remove barriers to learning, while maintaining a caring, inclusive environment that supports each child's social, emotional, and academic growth.

Qualifications

• Genuine love for working with children and a commitment to holistic development.
• Ability to guide diverse learners with patience and adaptability.
• Strong interpersonal skills and collaboration with families and staff.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates with teachers, parents, and administrators to identify challenges and support student growth.
• Links students and families to school and community resources.
• Evaluates student progress through attendance, academics, and behavior data.
• Coordinates with community partners to build resources and support restorative practices.
• Performs home visits and maintains accurate student records in PowerSchool and related systems.
• Supports a positive school climate and guides children to learn harmoniously and safely.

Skills

Love for children

Patience

Interpersonal skills

Flexible teaching methods

Education

Associate or Bachelor's degree

Job description

At Creative Montessori Academy, we celebrate and nurture every child's innate desire to learn. Utilizing the Montessori Method, our diverse learning environment fosters innovation and yet allows each student the chance to learn through self-directed pace and individual style.

As Montessori educators, it is our mission to prepare our environments for students to develop a love of learning and become intrinsically motivated. It is our objective to guide students in their critical thinking and bring awareness to their five senses throughout the environment.

Teachers and administration are thoroughly trained in the Montessori Method and are committed to the Montessori education of every child. The curriculum is demanding, yet allows each student the chance to learn through self-directed pace and individual style.

Qualities of a Success Candidate:

• A genuine love for working with children and a strong commitment to their holistic development. They should prioritize the child's individuality, independence, and self-directed learning, fostering an environment that supports these values.
• The ability to guide children through their learning journey with patience, allowing them to explore and make discoveries at their own pace. They should also be flexible in adjusting their teaching methods to meet the unique needs of each child.
• Strong interpersonal skills, fostering positive relationships with children, parents and other staff members. They should be able to work collaboratively, promoting a harmonious learning environment.

About the role

To actively collaborate with teachers, parents, and school administrators to identify and address any challenges or barriers that students may face. By providing support, resources, and guidance, they aim to empower students to overcome obstacles and achieve their full potential academically, emotionally, and socially. They strive to create an inclusive and nurturing environment that fosters student growth, well-being, and success.

What you'll do

Communication and Partnerships

• Communicates accurately and timely with students and their families to ensure a continuous school-family partnership exists.
• Links students and their families to school and community resources.

Student Progress & Evaluation

• Evaluates student progress, including attendance, academic, and behavioral data.

Community Coordination and Restorative Justice

• Coordinates with community partners to build resources.
• Uses the restorative justice process to focus on repairing harm through inclusive processes that engage all stakeholders, shifting the focus of discipline from punishment to learning from the individual to the community.

Home Visits and Record-Keeping

• Makes home visits to obtain information about students.
• Keeps accurate and timely records of student information in PowerSchool, as well as parent, staff, and community contacts.
• Participates in stakeholder conferences to develop student action plans.

Student Support and Growth

• Assists with the supervision of students during instructional and non-instructional time.
• Supports a positive school climate while interacting with students, families, staff, and community members.
• Guides children in working and playing harmoniously and safely with other children.
• Maintains confidentiality when dealing with students, families, staff, and community members.
• Performs moderate to extensive physical activity, including frequent standing or walking.
• Facilitates social and emotional growth with students.
• Improves professional competence through professional development.
• Provides an atmosphere based on the principles of firm, fair, and consistent practices, respect for individual children, and development of responsible citizenship.
• Implements proactive behavior and learning strategies under the direction of the classroom teacher.

Professional Development & Leadership :

• Participates in regularly scheduled meetings and sharing of relevant information.
• Shares responsibility for professional, cooperative staff relations and for out-of-class activities important to the operation of the Academy.
• Conducts himself or herself according to professional, ethical principles.
• Displays personal qualities, which reflect favorably upon the individual, the group, and the Academy.

Qualifications

• Additional coursework or related experience.
• Solid record of punctuality.
• Behavior support related training (Academy will provide professional development).

Desired Qualifications:

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and leadership skills.
• Ability to work effectively with school personnel and students in a diverse school community.
• Knowledge of and skills working with students from all backgrounds.

About Choice Schools Associates

Creative Montessori Academy (CMA) is part of the Choice Schools Community. As a comprehensive education service provider, Choice Schools offers a student-centered approach to tailored school operations support. Much like a superintendent's office, Choice Schools provides invaluable assistance in various crucial areas, including instruction, professional development, curriculum, human resources, finance, compliance, communications, and enrollment. By being a part of the Choice Schools Montessori Model, CMA is a vibrant community of learning, comprised of multiple other outstanding Montessori schools within the state. The Montessori Model will provide you with the support and collaboration of a large district while serving at a tight-knit community school in your area.