The Gardner School·Arlington, Virginia
Lead and inspire a classroom with developmentally appropriate lessons while mentoring assistant teachers. Maintain a safe, compliant, and joyful environment while building meaningful relationships with children and families.
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 Arlington!
We have an exciting opportunity for Lead Infant & Toddler Teachers working in our State-of-the-Art facility.
At The Gardner School of Arlington, 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
Competitive Pay: The starting pay range is $20.40-$25.20 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: CDA or Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education or related degree (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 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.
Requires a CDA or Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education and at least 2 years of relevant experience. Candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S. and possess current CPR/First Aid certification.
Market context
In Virginia, Lead Infant & Toddler Teacher openings often signal steady demand in centers serving working families, especially when programs need staff who can support ratios and daily classroom routines. These roles are competitive because employers commonly look for a CDA or Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education, at least 2 years of experience, and current CPR/First Aid; the listed health, dental, vision, paid holidays, and 401(k) match can also make offers more attractive. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this page, then confirm your credentials and experience align before applying.