Lead Infant & Two's Teachers

The Gardner School; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

401(k) with company match

Childcare tuition discount

Paid holidays

Professional development

Job summary

The Gardner School of River North is seeking a Lead Infant & Two's Teacher to lead a nurturing classroom and model The Gardner School’s core values. You will mentor staff, plan developmentally appropriate lessons, and build strong partnerships with families in a state‑of‑the‑art facility.

Competitive pay with comprehensive benefits including health, dental, vision, paid time off, 401(k) with company match, childcare tuition discount, paid holidays, and ongoing professional development

Qualifications

• CDA or Associate's degree with at least 6 ECE credits.
• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field preferred.
• Current CPR/First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain upon hire).

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire your classroom with creativity, care, and excellence.
• Mentor assistant teachers and model The Gardner School’s core values: Children First, Trust, Innovation, and Make a Difference.
• Plan engaging, developmentally appropriate lessons that spark curiosity.
• Maintain safety, compliance, and a joyful classroom environment.

Skills

English fluency

Proficient PC skills

Education

CDA or AA in ECE (6 ECE credits)

Bachelor's in ECE or related (preferred)

CPR/First Aid certification

Job description

It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing! We're committed to bringing passion and customer focus to the business.We're Hiring! Join our team as a **Lead Teacher** at **The Gardner School of River North!** We have an exciting opportunity for **Lead Infant & Two's Teachers** working in our State-of-the-Art facility. At **The Gardner School of River North**, we believe learning begins with love — for children, for teaching, and for making a difference. Join our passionate, professional team in our **state-of-the-art preschool**, where your ideas are valued, your growth is supported, and your impact is celebrated every day. **What You’ll Do:*** Lead and inspire your classroom with creativity, care, and excellence* Mentor assistant teachers and model The Gardner School’s core values: Children First, Trust, Innovation, and Make a Difference* Build meaningful relationships with families and children* Plan engaging, developmentally appropriate lessons that spark curiosity* Maintain safety, compliance, and a joyful classroom environment **What We Offer:*** **Competitive Pay:** The starting pay range is $19.50 – $24.15 per hour, based on education and experience* **Comprehensive Benefits:** Health, dental, and vision insurance; paid time off; 401(k) with company match; childcare tuition discount; paid holidays; and professional development opportunities* **Career Growth:** Ongoing professional development and training, opportunities for advancement within our growing organization, access to our company-sponsored CDA program, and a supportive, mission-driven culture. **Qualifications:****Education/Certification**:* CDA or Associate's degree with at least 6 credit hours in ECE (required); Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related degree (preferred)* Current CPR/First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain upon hire) **Experience**:* 2+ years of early childhood education experience (lead or co-lead experience preferred) **Knowledge, Skills and Physical Requirements**:* Eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship. (Required)* Regular and reliable attendance.* Intermediate PC skills and proficiency with general administrative tasks. (Required)* Active engagement throughout the day including standing, sitting on the floor, bending, and lifting up to ~60 lbs.* Ability to fulfill cognitive and interpersonal aspects of a classroom leadership including speaking, hearing, reading, writing, focusing attention, and building relationships.* Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English fluently, sufficient to communicate effectively with students, families, and staff, implement curriculum and safety procedures, and complete written reports.* Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. *The Gardner School extends equal employment opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual’s age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other reason prohibited by law.*