The Gardner School
Location
Chicago, Illinois
Salary
$17 - $22 / HOUR
Assist the Lead Teacher in implementing age-appropriate curriculum and providing nurturing guidance for infants' emotional and behavioral development. Maintain a safe, clean classroom environment and build supportive relationships with parents and families.
Requires a high school diploma and at least one year of experience working with children aged 6 weeks to 5 years. Candidates must be CPR/First Aid certified (or willing to obtain it) and capable of lifting up to 60 lbs.
Competitive Pay: The starting pay range is $17.40-$21.50 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, and a supportive, mission-driven culture.
Education/Certification: High school diploma (required). Current CPR/First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain upon hire) Experience: 1+ years of experience working with children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Knowledge, Skills and Physical Requirements: Eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship. (Required) Regular and reliable attendance. Passion for early childhood education and a nurturing, joyful approach to care. 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. Interest in growing within a supportive, mission-driven preschool environment. 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. The Gardner School provides children with a nurturing start for a successful future with a premier preschool experience for children. Built on decades of expertise, we promise to provide a school community that is safe, purposeful, and enriching. This commitment is fulfilled through the efforts of our engaged team members, the growth of thriving children, and the satisfaction of happy families. Together we provide exceptional care and education differentiated by our people, program, and promise.
Market context
Illinois classroom teacher roles are typically in steady demand, especially in districts seeking candidates who can support diverse student needs and communicate clearly with families and staff. This type of role is competitive because employers often look for classroom experience plus related backgrounds such as sociology, psychology, counseling, or education, and bilingual skills in English, Spanish, or Portuguese can strengthen an application. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this platform to save research time, then tailor your resume to highlight public speaking experience and weekend availability if you have it.
Salary benchmark
$52,215 avg / yr
Typical range: $35,686–$52,000 based on 300 active listings in Illinois
Recreation Assistant
Online K-12 Tutor - Core Subjects
Online K-12 Tutor - Core Subjects
School Based Psychotherapist (Bilingual Spanish and English)
Special Education Teacher - $15,000 Sign-On Bonus
School Age Substitute Teacher