Amelia Sherwood is a mother of two and dedicated Montessori early childhood educator with over a decade of experience nurturing young learners. As a mother and a passionate anti-bias educator, Amelia is committed to creating inclusive and empowering learning environments. Her deep love for teaching children drives her to champion equity and celebrate cultural diversity in her classrooms.

Esther Wallace-Sweeney, M.Ed., serves as teacher-leader at Sankofa, where her work is rooted in Montessori philosophy and a deep love of the outdoors. She is AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) certified for ages 3-6, with additional training in Infant/Toddler (0-3) through the American Montessori Society (AMS). As a mother of three, she approaches education with both professional intention and personal understanding, valuing the whole child- academically, socially, and emotionally. Esther is passionate about creating learning environments that invite exploration, foster independence, and connect children to the natural world in purposeful and respectful ways.

Dr. Alicia Tyson Sherwood is a lifelong learner and passionate educator at Sankofa Learning Center. With a deep commitment to fostering educational excellence, Dr. Tyson-Sherwood integrates innovative teaching methods with an appreciation for cultural heritage. Her dedication to continuous learning and growth inspires both her colleagues and students alike. At Sankofa, Dr. Alicia’s influence helps shape a nurturing environment where children can explore, learn, and thrive. Her unwavering dedication to education and her community makes her a cherished member of the Sankofa family.

Job Opportunities

Sankofa Learning Center is now hiring:

Part-time Substitute

Sankofa Learning Center is a Montessori early childhood micro-school located in New Haven, Connecticut serving families with children 3-5 years. The center is dedicated to providing high-quality, culturally-affirming education to young children, with a focus on nurturing their social, emotional, and cognitive development. The center emphasizes hands-on, child-centered learning and outdoor exploration. Sankofa Learning Center also aims to create an inclusive environment for the community, incorporating African-centered practices alongside the Montessori curriculum.

About the position: This is a part-time, hourly position. Candidates have the availability to work on short notice, covering for staff absences as needed.

Qualifications: High School diploma is required. The ideal applicant has a bachelor’s degree in education or a related field, is familiar with Montessori education and/or has experience working at an early childhood program, supervising children, and supporting instruction for students with special needs. The candidate is kind, caring, compassionate, enthusiastic, well-organized  and creative.

Key Components of the Position:

• Supporting academic and social emotional work in the classroom
• Preparing and maintaining the physical environment
• Working with individual and small groups of children to support independence and learning
• Supporting the other adult in the room. 

Areas of Responsibilities:

Instruction

• Monitors appropriate use and care of equipment, materials and facilities
• Continues planned instructional activities during Guide’s temporary absence from the classroom during lunch, prep time, and team meetings
• Assists individuals and small groups of children in various subject areas and motor activities, e.g. Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Mathematics, Music, Cultural Studies, Exercise, Games and Physical Education.

Supporting Learning and Independence

• Supports children in following classroom procedures 
• Helps maintain order and discipline and assists in managing the behavior of students, mediating conflicts and supervising for safety
• Monitors students engaged in independent work or similar activities, ensuring respect for classmates and materials

Care of the Environment 

• Reviews and resets classroom environment daily to ensure that learning materials are in good order and ready for student use each day
• Replenishes consumable items, e.g. paper, pencils, polish, cotton puffs, art supplies, etc.
• Prepares, monitors and assists children with clean up of food activities – breakfast, lunch, snacks, and food prep 
• Assists students in clean-up of the environment at the end of the day

Miscellaneous 

• Communicates and interacts regularly and appropriately with students,  staff and administration, maintaining positive relationships
• Keeps confidential information about students and families confidential at all times
• Seeks opportunities for professional development 
• Performs other duties as assigned

Compensation: $20.00/hour. 

Interested applicants may send their resume to info@sankofalearningcenter.org