Lead Teacher - Junior High 2026/27

City Garden Montessori•St. Louis, MO

10h•Onsite

About The Position

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 delivered with an appreciation of Montessori principles 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 students in their classroom(s). The Lead Guide – Junior High does not need to be a Montessori-trained educator.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree
Certification (or ability to obtain certification) with Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) in the applicable subject(s) and grade level
At least 2 years classroom experience with adolescent students
Deep commitment to whole-child education, having proven success and outcomes in meeting children’s needs holistically
Grounding in anti-bias education and antiracist values and principles
Eagerness to engage deeply with students, teachers, staff and families as partners
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Exemplary organizational skills

Nice To Haves

3+ years of teaching experience in a public school or urban setting
Classroom experience preferably in a public or urban setting

Responsibilities

Provide instruction that supports the development of the cognitive, emotional, social, physical and spiritual growth of the child.
Use the School Curriculum, State Standards and current research based instructional practices to develop interdisciplinary units of instruction that meet both the group and individual needs of students.
Maintain an on-going dialogue with specialty teachers and coordinate curriculum integration and implementation with these teachers.
Work with students of various abilities assigned to the classroom, including those with learning differences as diagnosed, and participate in meetings, training, and planning cooperatives to fully meet each child’s needs.
Use various assessment tools/strategies such such as the Missouri Assessment Program, NWEA, observations, children’s work samples, continuums of development, portfolios, etc. to help make instructional decisions for individual students.
Create and communicate weekly learning plans for all students.
Prepare an environment that meets the sensitive period/plane of development of their students.
Prepare an environment in which the furnishings and materials are complete and correspond to the needs of the group.
Maintain a clear, orderly, and attractive environment, including the care and maintenance of classroom materials and equipment.
Communicate needs for the classroom in accordance with school policy, including maintaining inventory of classroom materials and any additional materials needed.
Create an environment that demonstrates rapport with, respect and kindness for, all students as well as between students, modeling and teaching conflict resolution and problem-solving strategies.
Be responsible for the safety of the children left in his/her charge until dismissed to a responsible adult.
Ensure that the physical environment adheres to all health and safety regulations as required by the State of Missouri and City Garden policy.
Manage classroom field trip and supplies budget ensuring all resources are used in support of educating students and the school’s mission.
Communicate with gentleness and respect, at all times, to students and in a professional, positive manner to parents and colleagues.
Be responsible for communication that supports an understanding of the school’s program, develops positive relationships within the school community, and protects the privacy and confidentiality of each student and family.
Establish a positive relationship with parents and guardians and maintain regular communication with them regarding their child’s specific needs.
Provide for parent and guardian conferences, meetings and communication throughout the school year in accordance with school policy, and respond to parent and guardian concerns in a timely manner.
Communicate to parents and guardians and others in the school community about the classroom and curriculum.
Complete required report cards/ progress reports in accordance with school policy.
Assist in the development of and participate in school functions, including but not limited to Open Houses, Transition Nights, Curriculum Nights, Parent Orientations and the Family Field Day.
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.).
Be a member of professional organizations and be aware of major areas of research in teaching and resources for professional learning.
Participate in collegial activities designed to make the entire school a productive learning environment, for example, age level meetings, curriculum discussion groups, working committees, mentoring, etc.
Attend all scheduled meetings and professional days as appropriate to their level.
Participate and share information from professional development activities with colleagues to benefit the learning community.
Obtain and maintain certifications as appropriate for the grade level and subject area.
Conduct new student interviews and host prospective student applicants in the classroom as requested through admissions.
Complete and maintain all records, reports, evaluations, and inventories of student records and tests in a timely manner as may be required by the school.
Be responsible for reading and adhering to the guidelines as established in the employee handbook and adhering to all school policies.
Manage a classroom team of 1-2 adults, including training, supervision and evaluating the assistant guide and any support staff assigned to the classroom.
Participate in the interview process and orientation of new staff members.