Elementary Teacher Jobs in Decatur, GA (NOW HIRING)

About Sankofa Montessori

Sankofa Montessori embarked on its educational journey as a public charter school, receiving its charter from the Georgia State Charter School Commission in 2021. We officially opened our doors in July 2023, starting our adventure with Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grades. As we chart our course, we added a 3rd grade in our second year, 4th grade in our third year and will be adding 4th grade during the upcoming school year, school year 26-27. Our mission is to empower children with the knowledge, skills, and agency needed to lead purposeful lives. Join our team and help us continue to chart our course.

At Sankofa Montessori, we bridge standards-based instruction with the Montessori approach. If you think you would be a great fit, we invite you to apply for one of our Elementary Education Teacher roles for the 26-27 School Year.

Start Date: July 2026

Location: 5881 Phillips Drive, Forest Park, GA, 30297

Planning and Instruction

• Preparing the environment: Plan and implement high-quality instruction
• Submit lesson plans weekly for review and incorporate feedback into planning
• Regularly observe students to inform instruction
• Teach children of diverse needs in an inclusive environment; implement appropriate IEP goals with support from special education staff.
• Participate in Child Study process, including presenting data and implementing plans.

Classroom Culture

• Foster habits of excellence, including order and grace & courtesy, through schoolwide and classroom-level practices
• Be a model of character for students
• Supervise students within the classroom and outside of the classroom: on the playground, during bathroom breaks, at lunchtime and on field trips

Family Communication

• Lead classroom family communication and meetings
• Prepare monthly progress reports and quarterly report cards to share what students are doing in class

Professional Development and Relationships

• Participate in formal check-in with assigned academic support team member at least biweekly
• Engage in teacher meetings, team planning, professional development, and data reviews
• Other duties as assigned

What Teaching Looks Like at Sankofa Montessori (and How You’re Supported)

Teaching at Sankofa Montessori is demanding and deeply purposeful. As a founding school, teachers are asked to do meaningful, high-impact work that challenges the status quo—with real support built into the structure of the day.

Teachers at Sankofa Montessori:

• Teach a standards-aligned core curriculum that integrates Montessori principles.
• Plan collaboratively with peers during daily planning period and weekly time dedicated to collaboration, student work analysis, and professional learning.
• Use student data regularly - with support from a dedicated coach with a strong track record of student success - to refine instruction and close gaps.
• Build strong classroom cultures grounded in identity affirmation, restorative practices, and high expectations.
• Receive the materials needed to be successful, including curriculum for every subject (for Lead Teachers to adapt and improve), classroom supplies, and teacher/student laptops.

While the work is harder than the status quo, teachers are not asked to build in isolation. We believe challenge should be purposeful, supported, and shared - and we invest accordingly.

This role is not for educators seeking comfort or predictability, it is for those who want to build something new, more just, and more powerful than what currently exists.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

For this position, we’re looking for candidates that possess a combination of the following skills:

• Bachelor's degree (required)
• Georgia certified teacher (required)
• Two or more years of effective teaching experience in a high needs public school environment
• Has demonstrated impact on the growth of students.
• Knowledge of Montessori curriculum content and children’s developmental needs, a plus
• Willing to serve all children, regardless of background or needs, in an inclusive and supportive setting
• Skills in instructional practices and classroom management for student achievement
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Warm and firm demeanor
• Work collaboratively with a growth mindset. Give and receive feedback in a spirit of craftsmanship.
• Strong learning orientation and desire to work in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment
• Can complete physical demands of the role (including standing and walking for extended periods of time and lifting heavy objects up to 40 Ibs)
• Unwavering commitment to Sankofa Montessori’s mission and willingness to go above and beyond to meet the needs of Sankofa Montessori students, families, and staff
• Successful background check results required

Benefits

COMPENSATION

• Sankofa Montessori’s compensation philosophy is to pay competitively for the PK-12 charter market to ensure equity across our institution. Please click HERE to view our salary scale.
• We offer contributions to the Teacher Retirement System of Georgia (TRS) in accordance with Georgia state law, as well as an additional, optional 403(b) retirement account.
• Sankofa Montessori also offers competitively-priced health benefits.

Supports:

• A dedicated coach with a track record of success with students
• A daily planning period and weekly student early release for teacher collaboration, student work analysis, and peer professional development.
• Materials needed to be successful in your classroom, including teacher/student supplies/laptops, etc.

Equal Employment Opportunity: Sankofa Montessori provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.