Early Childhood Educators

About the role

Join the teaching community at The Gardner School of Minnetonka, a state‑of‑the‑art preschool where learning begins with love. We value passionate Early Childhood Education professionals who bring creativity, care, and excellence to the classroom, and who thrive in a supportive, mission‑driven culture.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire your classroom with creativity, care, and excellence.
• Collaborate with your teaching team and model The Gardner School’s core values: Children First, Trust, Innovation, and Make a Difference.
• Build meaningful relationships with families and children.
• Plan engaging, developmentally appropriate lessons that spark curiosity.
• Maintain safety, compliance, and a joyful classroom environment.

Pay

Competitive starting wages: $18.70 – $23.10 per hour for Lead Teachers, $16.55 – $20.48 per hour for Assistant Teachers, and $14.88 – $18.38 per hour for Support Teachers. Final compensation is determined based on experience and qualifications.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid time off and paid holidays.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Childcare tuition discount.
• Professional development opportunities, including a company‑sponsored CDA program.
• Career growth through ongoing training and advancement within the organization.

Qualifications

• Lead Teacher: CDA or Associate’s degree (required); Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field (preferred); 2+ years of early childhood education experience (lead or co‑lead preferred).
• Assistant & Support Teachers: High School Diploma (required); 1+ year of early childhood education experience.
• Current CPR/First Aid certification or willingness to obtain upon hire.

Requirements

• Eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.
• Regular and reliable attendance.
• Intermediate PC skills and proficiency with general administrative tasks.
• Physical ability to stand, sit on the floor, bend, and lift up to approximately 60 lb.
• Strong cognitive and interpersonal skills for classroom leadership, including speaking, hearing, reading, writing, focusing attention, and building relationships.
• Fluent English communication skills (reading, writing, speaking) sufficient for interacting with students, families, staff, implementing curriculum, safety procedures, and completing reports.
• Ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.