Sligo Sudbury School is currently recruiting staff members to join our team from September 2018.
Overview of the Staff Member role
The staff member role is vitally important to the successful running of the school. Staff members are role models for the children, and their primary purpose must be to demonstrate how to live in a democratic community, pursue learning, be engaged in meaningful activities, show respect for others, honour one’s own limits, and share space. The nature of the role is that of “space holder”, as in staff members are responsible for upholding the principles of democracy, respect, freedom, engaged industry, while creating the environment for the children. The staff member will work primarily with other staff members, with the children members of the community, and will also have contact with parents, members of the general public, and others.
Key Responsibilities
- To be aware of safety at all times
- To engage with children members in a meaningful way based on individual needs
- To facilitate learning requests in appropriate ways – eg assisting, redirecting, teaching, listening, showing, brainstorming, or researching
- To facilitate learning through classes, workshops or one on one tuition as necessary
- To share skills and knowledge with other members of the community, both staff and students
- To assist with cooking, cleaning, gardening, maintenance, office work as necessary
- To participate in the school meeting and judicial / other committees as required
- To participate in fundraising and other school activities as required
- To uphold the principles and laws of Sligo Sudbury School
The Opportunity
This is a unique self-development opportunity to experience community and democracy-based work and life.
- You will gain practical and meaningful experience in:
- Working with children of all ages
- Teaching and research
- Project and resource management
- Problem solving
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Negotiation and conflict management
- You will have the opportunity to gain a wide variety of new knowledge and skills from other staff members and the children – for example cooking, gardening, crafts, technology, music
- If eligible you may receive benefits through the TUS initiative (http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/unemployment_and_redundancy/employment_support_schemes/tus.html)
- At the end of the year, there is the possibility of renewing your role as staff member, based on community needs and resources and the collective decision of all school members
When
19.5 hours per week
September 2018 – August 2019 (Preferably available from mid August for training)
The Person
Personal Attributes / Values
- Honesty
- Sense of Humour
- Reliability
- Sense of responsibility
- Flexibility
- Respect for children
- Treats all others as equals
- Willingness to admit mistakes
- Willingness to learn from children
- Values democratic process
- Values lifelong learning
- Acts as role model at all times
Experience
- Experience with children /teenagers in any capacity
- Other relevant experience – may include working in groups in a collaborative nature, giving of your time / effort without expectation
Specialist Skills / knowledge
Any and all areas of genuine special interest are potentially useful, for example:
Nature, foraging, sports, history, writing, gaming, graphic design, art, pottery, music, camping, baking, languages, writing, theatre, crafts of all kinds, cooking, photography, film, botany, mathematics, sciences, building etc. etc.
General skills
Strong interpersonal / relationship building skills
Ability to express self clearly and respectfully
Ability to listen
Ability to take initiative
Creativity and Resourcefulness
Ability to assess needs of situation and respond appropriately, to ‘think on feet’
Ability to remain composed under presssure
Qualifications
No specific qualifications are required. As English is the primary language of communication, staff members must be proficient in the English language.
For more information and an application form please email info@sligosudburyschool.com
Interested applicants should complete the application form and return by post or email.
Please note that this is a volunteer position. Applications are also welcome from persons eligible to participate in the Tus initiative. Please contact the Intreo Centre for more information on the Tus initiative if applicable.