Lead Teacher Lower Elementary EAEC 2026/27

City Garden Montessori • St. Louis, MO

1d • 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 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.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree
• Certification in one or both of the following: Montessori Certification from AMI/AMS or other highly regarded Montessori certifying authority; Teaching Certification with Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)
• Teaching experience, preferably in a public school or urban setting
• A deep commitment to whole-child education, having proven success and outcomes in meeting children’s needs holistically
• A grounding in anti-bias education and antiracist values and principles, and is excited to be part of a school that is reimagining education through these lenses
• An eagerness to engage deeply with students, teachers, staff and families as partners

Nice To Haves

• If you only have one of these certifications (Montessori or DESE), we still encourage you to apply. We can help you get certified.

Responsibilities

• Provides instruction that supports the development of the cognitive, emotional, social, physical and spiritual growth of the child.
• Uses the School Curriculum, Montessori Albums, State Standards and current research based instructional practices to develop interdisciplinary units of instruction that meet both the group and individual needs of students.
• Maintains an on-going dialogue with specialty teachers and coordinating curriculum integration and implementation with these teachers.
• Works with students of various abilities assigned to the classroom, including those with learning differences as diagnosed.
• May be required to participate in meetings, training, and planning cooperatives to fully meet each child’s needs.
• Uses various assessment tools/strategies 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.
• Creates and communicates weekly learning plans for all students.
• Prepares an environment that meets the sensitive period/plane of development of the children he/she works with.
• Prepares an environment in which the furnishings and materials are complete and correspond to the needs of the group.
• Maintains a clear, orderly, and attractive Montessori environment, including the care and maintenance of classroom materials and equipment.
• Communicates needs for the classroom in accordance with school policy, i.e., maintaining inventory of classroom materials and any additional materials needed.
• Creates an environment that demonstrates rapport with, respect and kindness for, all students as well as between students.
• Models and teaches conflict resolution and problem-solving strategies in the classroom.
• Responsible for the safety of the children left in his/her charge until dismissed to a responsible adult.
• Ensures that the physical environment adheres to all health and safety regulations as required by the State of Missouri and City Garden policy.
• Manages classroom field trip and supplies budget ensuring all resources are used in support of educating students and the school’s mission.
• Communicates with gentleness and respect, at all times, to students and in a professional, positive manner to parents and colleagues.
• 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.
• Establishes a positive relationship with parents and guardians and maintains regular communication with parents and guardians with regard to their child’s specific needs.
• Provides for parent and guardian conferences, meetings and communication throughout the school year in accordance with school policy.
• Responds to parent and guardian concerns in a timely manner.
• Communicates to parents and guardians and others in the school community about the classroom and curriculum.
• Develops and participates in parent and guardian programs that help develop an understanding of the Montessori Curriculum.
• Completes required report cards/ progress reports in accordance with school policy.
• Assists in the development of and participates in school functions, including but not limited to Open Houses, Transition Nights, Curriculum Nights, Parent Orientations and the Family Field Day.
• Performs self-assessment and refinement of practice in the classroom as well as collaborative professional growth.
• Actively participates 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.
• Maintains teaching skills and participates in professional development activities (both within the school community and attendance at conferences, workshops, etc.).
• Is a member of professional organizations and is aware of major areas of research in teaching and resources for professional learning.
• Participates 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.
• Attends all scheduled meetings and professional days as appropriate to their level.
• Participates and shares information from professional development activities with colleagues to benefit the learning community.
• Obtains and maintains certifications in Montessori and DESE as appropriate for the grade level and subject area.
• Conducts new student interviews and hosts prospective student applicants in the classroom as requested through admissions.
• Completes and maintains all records, reports, evaluations, and inventories of student records and tests in a timely manner as may be required by the school.
• Responsible for reading and adhering to the guidelines as established in the employee handbook and adhering to all school policies.
• Manages a classroom team of 1-2 adults, including coaching, supervision and participating in the evaluating the assistant guide’s performance.
• Participates in the interview process and orientation of new staff members.

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level