Math Learning Guide (Grades 7 & 8)

Position Overview

The Meliora School seeks a knowledgeable, engaging Math Learning Guide to teach seventh- and eighth-grade mathematics. This educator will deliver rigorous, engaging instruction aligned with Georgia’s mathematics standards and prepare learners to demonstrate proficiency on the Georgia Milestones Mathematics End-of-Grade assessments.

New hires must have previous experience teaching algebra. Candidates must be able to develop learners’ algebraic reasoning, address foundational skill gaps, and prepare learners for success in high school mathematics.

At Meliora, Learning Guides combine explicit instruction, collaborative problem-solving, personalized support, and mastery-based assessment. The successful candidate will help learners understand mathematical concepts, explain their reasoning, and apply their learning to unfamiliar and real-world problems.

Content Knowledge and Instruction

The Math Learning Guide will:

• Teach seventh-grade mathematics, including operations with rational numbers, proportional relationships, expressions and equations, geometry, probability, and statistical reasoning.
• Teach eighth-grade mathematics, including irrational numbers and exponents, linear equations and inequalities, systems of linear equations, functions, geometric relationships, and data analysis.
• Build strong connections among verbal descriptions, tables, graphs, equations, and mathematical models.
• Develop algebraic reasoning through patterns, equivalent expressions, equations, functions, and relationships between quantities.
• Unpack Georgia’s mathematics standards into clear learning targets, lesson sequences, and measurable criteria for mastery.
• Balance conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, and mathematical application.
• Use manipulatives, visual representations, worked examples, mathematical discussion, and purposeful practice to make concepts accessible.
• Maintain a pacing plan that provides time for initial instruction, problem-solving, reteaching, enrichment, and cumulative review.
• Use Meliora’s adopted mathematics resources and supplemental materials to create coherent, standards-aligned units.

Georgia Milestones Readiness

The Math Learning Guide will:

• Prepare seventh- and eighth-grade learners for the content knowledge and reasoning required by their respective Georgia Milestones mathematics assessments.
• Plan instruction and assessments using applicable GaDOE assessment guides, test blueprints, and achievement-level descriptors.
• Teach learners to analyze multistep problems, select appropriate strategies, justify solutions, and evaluate whether answers are reasonable.
• Develop learners’ ability to interpret graphs, tables, diagrams, equations, and contextual problems.
• Incorporate assessment tasks that require explanation, application, and connections across mathematical concepts.
• Build familiarity with the online assessment environment, applicable item formats, and permitted tools using state-approved practice resources.
• Analyze assessment results by standard to identify misconceptions and determine which learners need additional instruction.
• Provide targeted small-group support and reassessment opportunities throughout the year.
• Establish and monitor individual growth and proficiency goals with school leadership.
• Communicate progress toward grade-level mastery clearly to learners and families.

Algebra Instruction and Readiness

The Math Learning Guide will:

• Explicitly teach the meaning of variables, equality, equivalence, and functional relationships.
• Help learners move from concrete and visual representations to abstract algebraic reasoning.
• Teach learners to simplify expressions, solve equations, and explain why each step preserves equivalence.
• Develop understanding of slope, rate of change, intercepts, and linear relationships.
• Connect proportional reasoning in seventh grade to linear relationships and functions in eighth grade.
• Identify and address prerequisite gaps in fractions, decimals, integers, order of operations, and the distributive property.
• Analyze learner errors to distinguish calculation mistakes from conceptual misunderstandings.
• Provide meaningful extensions for learners ready for more advanced algebraic applications.

Personalized and Mastery-Based Learning

The Math Learning Guide will:

• Use daily checks for understanding to adjust instruction and form flexible learning groups.
• Maintain accurate records of progress toward specific mathematics standards.
• Provide clear, actionable feedback and structured opportunities for revision and reassessment.
• Deliver targeted instruction that addresses prerequisite gaps while maintaining access to grade-level content.
• Provide enrichment that deepens reasoning and application for learners who demonstrate mastery.
• Implement IEP and Section 504 supports in collaboration with specialized services staff.
• Support multilingual learners through explicit mathematics vocabulary, visual models, sentence supports, and opportunities to explain their thinking.
• Help learners set goals, monitor progress, and take increasing responsibility for their learning.

Classroom Culture and Mathematical Thinking

The Math Learning Guide will:

• Establish clear routines for independent practice, collaborative work, mathematical discussion, and use of materials.
• Create a classroom where learners ask questions, share strategies, learn from errors, and persist through challenging problems.
• Teach learners to critique reasoning respectfully and support their conclusions with mathematical evidence.
• Build confidence while maintaining high expectations for accuracy, effort, and understanding.
• Use technology purposefully for visualization, exploration, practice, assessment, and feedback.

School Community Responsibilities

The Math Learning Guide will:

• Create a structured classroom grounded in belonging, curiosity, accountability, and respect.
• Serve as a Life Navigator advisor, supporting learner organization, goal-setting, reflection, and social-emotional growth.
• Collaborate with colleagues to review learner work, plan instruction, and strengthen teaching practices.
• Communicate proactively with families about academic progress and needed support.
• Participate in professional learning, family conferences, learner exhibitions, House activities, and assigned supervision duties.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Previous experience teaching algebra.
• Strong knowledge of seventh- and eighth-grade mathematics and the progression into high school algebra.
• Ability to explain mathematical concepts using multiple strategies and representations.
• Ability to translate Georgia mathematics standards into rigorous instruction and assessments.
• Ability to use assessment data and learner work to identify misconceptions, plan reteaching, and monitor growth.
• Strong classroom management, organization, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Commitment to mastery-based learning, learner ownership, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to meet applicable employment, credentialing, and background-check requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Georgia teaching certification in middle grades mathematics or secondary mathematics.
• Experience teaching seventh- and eighth-grade mathematics in Georgia.
• Experience teaching Algebra I or an equivalent high school algebra course.
• Experience preparing learners for Georgia Milestones mathematics assessments.
• Evidence of improving mathematics achievement and supporting learners toward proficiency.
• Experience teaching in a personalized or mastery-based setting.

Compensation

Salary: Salary, based on experience and qualifications.