Lead Teacher - Primary

About the Role

The City Garden Montessori School Lead Guide understands and promotes the school’s mission, vision, objectives, and policies both within and outside the school community. The Lead Guide is responsible for providing an instructional program in a multi-aged (3 to 5 year olds) classroom, delivered with both Montessori and an anti-bias/anti-racist pedagogy. The Lead Guide reports to the School Principal and works in partnership with their assistant guide, other instructional staff, and parents to nurture the comprehensive development of all children in the school grounded in the Montessori method of education.

Responsibilities

• Create lesson plans and curricula focused on developing social, physical, intellectual, and emotional skills, assessing children’s individual needs, and communicating with parents as required.
• Lead a classroom team which includes a dedicated Assistant Guide, as well as any additional staff assigned to support students.
• Create a nurturing, stimulating classroom where every child feels included.
• Develop lesson plans, independent learning exercises, curricula, and methods that cater to the needs of the individual child using resources such as Montessori Albums, State Standards, and current research-based instructional practices.
• Monitor and assess student progress and write reports.
• Maintain an ongoing dialogue with specialty teachers and coordinate curriculum integration and implementation.
• Understand and implement anti-bias/anti-racist (ABAR) principles.
• Work with students of various abilities, including those with learning differences, and participate in meetings, training, and planning cooperatives to fully meet each child’s needs.
• Use various assessment tools/strategies such as iReady, observations, children’s work samples, continuums of development, and portfolios to make instructional decisions for individual students.
• Create and communicate weekly learning plans for all students.
• Plan and coordinate classroom field trips and manage the classroom supplies budget, ensuring all resources support educating students and the school’s mission.
• Assist in the development of and participate in school functions, including Open Houses, Transition Nights, Curriculum Nights, Parent Orientations, and Family Field Day.
• Establish rapport and build relationships with students based on trust.
• Prepare an environment where furnishings and materials are complete, available, and in working condition, corresponding to the needs of the group.
• Maintain a safe, clean, stimulating classroom where all children feel safe and valued.
• Keep a clear, orderly, and attractive Montessori environment, including the care and maintenance of classroom materials and equipment.
• Communicate needs for the classroom in accordance with school norms, such as maintaining inventory of classroom materials.
• Set an excellent example for students and instill good values like honesty, accountability, understanding, tolerance, respect, love, and kindness.
• Observe, guide, supervise, and assess children while they learn in the classroom environment.
• Ensure the safety of children until dismissed to a responsible adult.
• Ensure the physical environment adheres to all health and safety regulations as required by the State of Missouri and City Garden policy.
• Update records on the school information system (SIS), Transparent Classroom, and handle various other administrative tasks.
• Support an understanding of the school’s program, develop positive relationships within the school community, and protect the privacy and confidentiality of each student and family.
• Establish and maintain regular communication with parents and guardians regarding their child’s specific needs.
• Plan for parent and guardian conferences, meetings, and communication throughout the school year in accordance with school policy.
• Respond to parent and guardian concerns in a timely manner.
• Communicate to parents, guardians, and others in the school community about the classroom and curriculum.
• Develop and participate in parent and guardian programs that help develop an understanding of the Montessori Curriculum.
• Complete required report cards/progress reports in accordance with school policy.
• Perform self-assessment and refinement of practice in the classroom as well as collaborative professional growth.
• Actively participate in a regular evaluation process including classroom observations, feedback conferences, and an annual self-evaluation toward goals set by the guide and/or in conjunction with the school principal.
• Maintain teaching skills and participate in professional development activities (both within the school community and attendance at conferences, workshops, etc.).
• Participate in collegial activities designed to make the entire school a productive learning environment, such as age-level meetings, curriculum discussion groups, working committees, mentoring, etc.
• Attend all scheduled meetings and professional days as appropriate, and share information from professional development activities with colleagues.
• Obtain and maintain certifications in Montessori and DESE as appropriate for the grade level and subject area.
• Take an active role in developing City Garden as an institution of learning.
• Participate in staff meetings, school events, and conferences.
• Oversee a classroom team consisting of the Lead Guide, the Assistant Guide, and any support staff assigned to the classroom; including training, supervision, and providing feedback.
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism in all dealings with students and parents.
• Participate in school functions when requested by the Principal.
• Read the employee handbook and adhere to the guidelines and policies established within.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Teaching, Education, or a related discipline.
• Teaching experience, preferably in a public school or urban setting.
• Certification in one or both of the following: Montessori Certification from AMI/AMS or other highly regarded Montessori certifying authority; Early Childhood Teaching Certification with Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
• Experience in working collaboratively and providing direction to assistant teachers and other classroom support staff.
• Deep grounding in racial equity and strong alignment with anti-bias, anti-racism values.

*Please note: if you only have one of the certifications, we still encourage you to apply! We can help you get certified. Even if you don't feel that you meet every single requirement, we still encourage you to apply. We’re eager to meet with passionate teachers who believe in our mission.

Benefits

• Generous Paid Time-off (Fall, Winter, and Spring breaks, holidays, and additional days).
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance.
• Pre-Tax savings for family health premium costs.
• Retirement Plan.
• Enrollment preference to City Garden Montessori for K-8 children residing in MO.
• Discount tuition for our Preschool program.

Pay

$45,000 to $62,000 per year, dependent on State Certification, Montessori Certification, Education, and Experience.