New Palestine Montessori Science Academy Guide

Position Overview

Guides play a critical role in supporting student learning and wellbeing at IMC. Unlike traditional

teachers, Guides are not required to be certified but are deeply invested in helping students grow.

They act as mentors, facilitators, and caring adults who help students navigate their personalized

learning journeys and maintain strong connections with families.

Key Responsibilities

• Support Learning: Help students stay on track with their learning goals by encouraging

engagement, offering feedback, and guiding them through tasks and projects.

• Mentor and Advise: Build strong, trusting relationships with students. Serve as a consistent

advisor to a small group of learners, helping them set goals, reflect on progress, and celebrate

growth.

• Communicate and Collaborate with Families: Partner with families to ensure each child is

supported and understood. Provide regular updates, share student progress, and maintain

open, proactive communication.

• Create a Safe and Joyful Environment: Foster a sense of belonging, joy, and curiosity in the

learning space. Model positive behavior and help resolve challenges when they arise.

• Facilitate Daily Routines: Manage day-to-day learning activities, transitions, and group

experiences in collaboration with certified teachers and the microschool leader.

• Collaborate with the Team: Work closely with teachers, school leaders, and partners to cocreate

meaningful experiences for students, including fieldwork, service projects, and

community connections.

• Encourage Student Agency: Support students as they make choices about what, how, and

where they learn. Help them develop independence and confidence.

Qualifications

• A passion for working with young people and helping them grow
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Comfortable communicating regularly and positively with families
• Flexibility, patience, and a growth mindset
• Experience working with youth in any setting (school, after-school, camps, coaching, etc.)
• Willingness to learn about personalized and competency-based education
• High school diploma or equivalent required; college experience or specialized training is a

plus