Part-Time Middle School / Launchpad Guide
Acton Academy Kennebunkport
Pay: $28 per hour
Position: Part-time position beginning now through the first week of June 2027, with the potential to become a more permanent position and increase in hours for 2027-2028.
Starting Schedule: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, approximately 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Final hours will be determined with the selected candidate. There may also be opportunities for additional hours depending on school needs and the candidate's interests, strengths, and abilities.
About the Role
Acton Academy Kennebunkport is looking for a thoughtful, energetic, and curious individual to guide a small group of fewer than 10 Middle School and Launchpad (High School) learners through afternoon Quests, Civilization (history) and studio activities.
This is not a traditional teaching position.
At Acton, Guides do not lecture, provide answers, or position themselves as the expert in the room. Instead, they use the Socratic method to ask thoughtful questions, challenge learners to think more deeply, and encourage them to discover answers for themselves.
A great Guide is comfortable responding to a learner's question with another question such as, "How could you figure that out?" or "What have you tried?" rather than simply providing the answer.
Our goal is to develop independent thinkers who learn how to solve problems, make decisions, collaborate, and take ownership of their own learning.
The majority of our Quests (and Civilization work) are already written and structured for the Guide. The role is less about creating curriculum and more about bringing the experience to life, verifying all materials are available, facilitating discussions and challenges, supporting the studio environment, and helping learners take increasing responsibility for their work.
Responsibilities
- Facilitate Civilization discussions, hands on Quests, and afternoon studio activities for a small group of Middle School and Launchpad learners.
- Lead Socratic discussions by asking strong questions rather than lecturing or providing answers.
- Challenge learners to think critically, problem solve, research, experiment, and find answers independently.
- Create an engaging, positive, and respectful studio environment.
- Help learners hold themselves and one another accountable to studio expectations.
- Observe learners closely and know when to challenge, encourage, question, or allow productive struggle.
- Prepare for and facilitate already developed Quest experiences, Civilization challenges and discussions, and Socratic discussions (launches) making adjustments when appropriate based on the learners and studio needs.
- Support special projects, outdoor activities, field experiences, or other areas of the school depending on interest and ability.
Who We Are Looking For
The right person may or may not have traditional teaching experience. In fact, someone coming from another profession who loves working with young people may be an excellent fit.
More important is someone who:
- Enjoys spending time with Middle School and High School aged learners.
- Is naturally curious and enjoys asking good questions.
- Can resist the instinct to immediately teach, explain, or provide the answer.
- Believes young people are capable of far more than adults often give them credit for.
- Is comfortable allowing learners to struggle, make mistakes, and work through problems independently.
- Can maintain high standards while building strong relationships with learners.
- Is dependable, organized, flexible, and willing to jump in where needed (even if in another studio; we are a K-12 small school with a fantastic team of guides).
- Enjoys learning, experimenting, creating, and trying new things.
- Brings positive energy and a strong sense of personal responsibility to a small school community.
About Acton Academy
Acton Academy is a learner-driven school that believes each young person has unique gifts and the ability to find a calling that changes the world.
Our studios look very different from traditional classrooms. Learners take increasing ownership of their education, set goals, work independently and collaboratively, participate in Socratic discussions, and engage in hands on Quests designed around real world challenges.
Guides create the environment, ask questions, provide tools, and hold up standards, but the learners do the work.
If you are excited by the idea of helping young people become more independent rather than becoming more dependent on an adult teacher, we would love to hear from you.
Pay: $28.00 per hour
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Kennebunk, ME 04043 (Required)
Work Location: In person
