Lead Teacher - Elementary

City Garden Montessori • St. Louis, MO

4d

About The Position

The City Garden Montessori School Lead Teacher (Lead Guide) promotes the school’s mission, vision, objectives, and policies within and outside the school community. The role provides instruction using Montessori and anti-bias/anti-racist pedagogy and supports the comprehensive development of children through the Montessori method. The Lead Guide reports to the School Principal and partners with an assistant guide, other instructional staff, and parents.

The Lead Guide plans and delivers interdisciplinary instruction responsive to group and individual student needs, maintains a prepared and orderly Montessori classroom, and uses assessment information to guide instruction. The role communicates regularly with families and colleagues, supports parent understanding of the Montessori curriculum, and participates in school and community events. Lead Guides are expected to continually develop their professional practice, maintain relevant certifications, contribute to the school’s learning community, and manage a classroom team of one to two adults.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Teaching certification in elementary grades 1–6 through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) or a reciprocal state department of education, or Montessori certification from AMI, AMS, or another highly regarded Montessori certifying authority. Applicants with only one of these certifications are encouraged to apply; the school may help them obtain the other.
• Teaching experience.
• Deep commitment to whole-child education and demonstrated success in meeting children’s needs holistically.
• Grounding in anti-bias education and anti-racist values and principles.
• Eagerness to engage deeply with students, teachers, staff, and families as partners.

Nice To Haves

• Teaching experience in a public school or urban setting.
• Possession of both elementary teaching certification and Montessori certification; applicants with only one are still encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Provide instruction supporting students’ cognitive, emotional, social, physical, and spiritual growth using Montessori and anti-bias/anti-racist pedagogy.
• Develop interdisciplinary instructional units using the school curriculum, state standards, and current research-based practices, addressing group and individual needs.
• Coordinate curriculum integration and implementation with specialty teachers and maintain ongoing dialogue with them.
• Work with students of varying abilities, including students with diagnosed learning differences, and participate in meetings, training, and planning to meet their needs.
• Use assessment tools and strategies—including observations, work samples, developmental continuums, portfolios, MAP, and NWEA—to inform instructional decisions.
• Create and communicate weekly learning plans for students.
• Prepare and maintain a classroom environment suited to students’ developmental needs, with complete furnishings and materials.
• Maintain a clear, orderly, attractive Montessori environment and care for classroom materials and equipment.
• Track classroom material inventory and communicate additional classroom needs according to school policy.
• Foster respectful relationships and kindness among students; model and teach conflict resolution and problem-solving strategies.
• Ensure the safety of children in the classroom until they are dismissed to a responsible adult and ensure the environment complies with applicable health and safety requirements.
• Manage classroom field-trip and supplies budgets in support of student education and the school’s mission.
• Communicate respectfully and professionally with students, parents, guardians, and colleagues while protecting student and family confidentiality.
• Build positive relationships with parents and guardians, maintain regular communication about children’s needs, hold conferences and meetings, and respond to concerns in a timely manner.
• Communicate with the school community about the classroom and curriculum, and develop and participate in programs that explain the Montessori curriculum to families.
• Complete report cards and progress reports in accordance with school policy.
• Help develop and participate in school functions, including Open Houses, Transition Nights, Curriculum Nights, Parent Orientations, and Family Field Day.
• Assess and refine classroom practice, participate in evaluation processes and professional development, and pursue collaborative professional growth.
• Participate in professional organizations and collegial activities, attend scheduled meetings and professional days, and share professional-development learning with colleagues.
• Obtain and maintain Montessori and DESE certifications appropriate to grade level and subject area.
• Conduct new-student interviews and host prospective students in the classroom as requested by admissions.
• Complete and maintain required student records, reports, evaluations, and inventories in a timely manner.
• Read and follow the employee handbook and school policies.
• Manage a classroom team of one to two adults, including coaching, supervision, and participation in assistant-guide performance evaluations.
• Participate in interviewing and orienting new staff members.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Pre-tax savings for family health premium costs.
• Pension retirement plan.
• Generous paid time off, including fall, winter, and spring breaks, holidays, and additional days.
• Enrollment preference at City Garden Montessori for K–8 children residing in Missouri.
• Discounted tuition for the Preschool program.

What This Job Offers

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