City Garden is seeking a Montessori certified Early Childhood educator with a passion for academically rigorous, individualized, experiential education in a diverse setting to fulfill the position of Lead Primary Guide. The Lead Guide will be responsible for leading a Primary classroom and will work with an Assistant Guide.

We are currently operating with the separation of the Primary age group into Pre-K classrooms for ages 3 and 4+ and Kindergarten for ages 5+. Our long-term plan is to combine students aged 3, 4, and 5 into classrooms aligned with the traditional Montessori planes of development. This means that all Early Childhood educators will need to possess, or be willing to acquire, state education certification, in addition to their Montessori certification in Early Childhood education. City Garden will sponsor the right candidate in obtaining their DESE certification.

The candidate must be committed to growing in a school environment that is committed to anti-bias/anti-racism values and practices with a vision to create a more equitable world through education. We are also seeking a candidate who is interested in making City Garden their vocational "home" for many years. 

Responsibilities

The following represents a summary of the responsibilities of this position. A detailed job description may be downloaded HERE.

• Establishing rapport and building relationships with students based on trust.
• Creating and maintaining a safe, clean, stimulating classroom where all children feel safe and valued.
• Maintaining a clear, orderly, and attractive Montessori environment, including the care and maintenance of classroom materials and equipment.
• Developing lesson plans, independent learning exercises, curricula, and methods that cater to the needs of the individual child while they learn
• Implementing Antibias/ Antiracist principles in the classroom
• Using various assessment tools/strategies to help make instructional decisions for individual students (observations, children’s work samples, continuums of development, portfolios, etc.)
• Creating and communicating weekly learning plans for all students
• Planning and coordinating classroom field trips supplies budget, and ensuring all resources are used in support of educating students and the school’s mission
• Completing report cards and progress reports
• Assisting in the development of and participates in school functions, including but not limited to Parent and Guardian Conferences, Open Houses, Transition Nights, Curriculum Nights, Parent Orientations and the Family Field Day

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Teaching, Education, or a related discipline
• Montessori Primary Certification from AMI/AMS or other highly regarded Montessori certifying authority
• 1+ years of classroom experience
• Be deeply committed to whole-child education, having proven success and outcomes in meeting children’s needs holistically
• Be eager to engage deeply with students, teachers, staff, and families as partners

• Have a valid Early Childhood Teaching Certification (not Substitute) with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (or certification in a state with reciprocity)
• 3+ years of classroom experience
• Have 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

Schedule

Compensation

This position offers a salary ranging from $41,000.00 to $54,000.00 based on level of education, certifications, and years of teaching experience.

Benefits

• Generous Paid Time-off (Fall, Winter and Spring breaks, holidays, and additional days)
• Paid Health Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance)
• Pre-Tax savings for family health premium costs

• Retirement Plan
• Enrollment preference to City Garden Montessori for child(ren) grades K through 8
• Tuition discount for Early Childhood program (Pre-K)