Title: Discovery Studio Apprentice Guide (Teacher) – ages approx. 6-11

Location: Ascent: An Acton Academy, Austin, Texas

Department: Discovery Studio

Who We Are

Our mission at Ascent: An Acton Academy is to inspire anyone who enters our doors to find a calling that will change the world. We are hiring an apprentice guide for our Discovery Studio.

If your passion is to fuel the love of learning in others while advancing your own personal and professional growth, this is your chance to get in on the ground floor of one of the world’s most innovative schools.

Ascent: An Acton Academy is a private micro-school and learner-driven community with the mission that each person who enters its doors will find a calling and change the world. Our campus is part of a larger network of hundreds of Acton Academies around the world, led by Samantha Jansky and Janita Lavani, who have extensive experience in leading, training and developing a learner-driven school. 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.

At Ascent, we have mixed-aged classrooms called studios with a self-paced learning design as opposed to grade-levels. Our real world-oriented Quests culminate in a public exhibition of learning as opposed to test scores and report cards. In all areas of Ascent life, our students are empowered to be in the driver’s seat of their learning.

Position Description

We are seeking a full time Elementary School Apprentice Guide. Our Guide has the opportunity to grow quickly and steadily into a Guide/Lead Guide and ultimately open his or her own Acton Academy or take on a leadership role on our Austin campus.

We are looking for a smart, entrepreneurial individual who is passionate about guiding children on their independent journey of lifelong learning, and who possesses an understanding and curiosity of the Hero’s Journey and the Socratic Method. Our Apprentice Guide will spend the first year learning to lead Socratic discussions and will learn how to work with Ascent’s learning design, processes and systems.

Preferred Experience & Skills 

• An entrepreneurial mindset and desire to work hard, solve problems, and improve on everything they do
• A deep love and respect for all children and empathy for the challenges children face in their lives
• A strong teamwork ethic, a genuine desire to collaborate with colleagues, and a commitment to professionalism
• A deep interest in the Montessori philosophy, and the discipline to embody Montessori values at all times
• A commitment to practicing gentle, compassionate limit setting
• A willingness to be coached and mentored
• A willingness to work in a year-round program (with time off for holidays; and flexible hours during student breaks)
• Vulnerability and courage to try new things, make mistakes, and the ability to reflect

Ascent offers a competitive salary, plus a flexible schedule throughout the year. The position also offers opportunities for professional development and growth.

Next Steps

If you are interested in becoming part of a growing team, building a conscious, learner-driven environment, please submit your resume and a thoughtful cover letter that outlines how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position, how the position is part of your own journey, and how you heard about this opportunity. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.