Lead Teacher - Upper Elementary

City Garden Montessori • St. Louis, MO

6d • $42,000 - $54,000

About The Position

City Garden Charter School seeks an educator to lead a multi-grade elementary classroom and work with an Assistant Guide. The role calls for a passion for academically rigorous, individualized, experiential education in a diverse public-school setting and an interest in growing with City Garden’s Montessori model. The posting uses both “Lead Teacher - Upper Elementary” and “Lead Lower Elementary Guide”; the described classroom serves 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades.

The successful candidate will support a school community committed to anti-bias and anti-racism (ABAR), equity, and individualized education. City Garden seeks someone interested in making the school their long-term vocational home. Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree and either Montessori certification from AMI/AMS or another highly regarded Montessori certifying authority, or Missouri DESE certification in the applicable subject and grade level. City Garden may sponsor the appropriate candidate to obtain the other certification and requires a commitment to additional coursework or study during summers and the 2025-26 and 2026-27 academic sessions.

The position’s school hours are 7:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The work year runs from the date of hire through the end of May and includes professional development, parent-teacher conferences, and preparatory work. Salary is $42,000 to $54,000, based on education, teaching certification, and years of teaching experience.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Either Montessori certification from AMI/AMS or another highly regarded Montessori certifying authority, or Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education certification in the applicable subject and grade level.
• At least 3 years of elementary-grade classroom experience, preferably in a public or urban setting.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity and anti-biased/anti-racist principles.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Exemplary organizational skills.
• Willingness to commit to additional coursework or study during summers and the 2025-26 and 2026-27 academic sessions if pursuing sponsored certification.
• Commitment to growing in a school environment centered on ABAR values and practices.

Nice To Haves

• Training in systemic racism, dismantling racism, and addressing privilege, with a firm grasp of anti-bias/anti-racism language and framework.
• Montessori certification and Missouri state certification.

Responsibilities

• Develop lesson plans, independent learning exercises, curricula, and methods tailored to individual children’s learning needs.
• Implement anti-bias and anti-racism principles.
• Use assessment tools and strategies to make instructional decisions for individual students, including the Missouri Assessment Program, iReady, observations, work samples, developmental continuums, and portfolios.
• Create and communicate weekly learning plans for all students.
• Plan and coordinate classroom field trips and supplies budgets, and ensure resources support student education and the school’s mission.
• Complete report cards and progress reports.
• Manage a classroom team of 1–2 adults, including coaching and supervision and providing input during the Assistant Guide’s performance evaluation.
• Assist in developing and participate in school functions, including parent and guardian conferences, open houses, transition nights, curriculum nights, parent orientations, and Family Field Day.
• Obtain and maintain Montessori and DESE certifications as appropriate for the grade level and subject area.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off, including fall, winter, and spring breaks, holidays, and additional days.
• Paid medical, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits.
• Pre-tax savings for family health premium costs.
• Retirement plan.
• Enrollment preference at City Garden Montessori for the employee’s children in grades K–8 who reside in Missouri.
• Discounted tuition for the Preschool program.

What This Job Offers

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