The Gardner School·Northbrook, Illinois
The Lead Teacher will inspire their classroom through creative, developmentally appropriate lessons while mentoring assistant teachers. They are responsible for maintaining a safe, joyful environment and building meaningful relationships with children and families.
It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing!
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We're Hiring!
Join our team as a Lead Teacher at The Gardner School of Northbrook!
We have an exciting opportunity for Lead Toddler & Two's Teachers working in our State-of-the-Art facility.
At The Gardner School of Northbrook, 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 $18.70-$23.10 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 Bachelor's or Associate's in Early Childhood Education or related, with at least 6 credit hours in ECE 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.
Candidates must hold a CDA, Associate, or Bachelor degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field with at least 6 ECE credits. A minimum of 2 years of early childhood education experience and current CPR/First Aid certification are required.
Market context
In Illinois, Lead Toddler and Two's Teacher openings often reflect steady demand in center-based early childhood programs, especially for candidates with infant-toddler classroom experience and current safety credentials. These roles are competitive because employers typically look for a CDA or ECE degree, at least 2 years of experience, and CPR/First Aid, while benefits such as health coverage, paid holidays, and a 401(k) match can help distinguish offers. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here first to save time, then confirm how your ECE credits and classroom experience align before applying.