The Gardner School·Franklin, Tennessee
Lead and inspire a classroom with creativity while mentoring assistant teachers to uphold core values. Plan developmentally appropriate lessons and maintain a safe, joyful environment for children and families.
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We're Hiring!
Join our team as a Lead Teacher at The Gardner School of Franklin!
We have an exciting opportunity for Lead Teachers working in our State-of-the-Art facility.
At The Gardner School of Franklin, 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 pay range for this position is $17.00-$23.00 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: Opportunities for advancement within our growing organization
Education/Certification: CDA or Associate's 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, with a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education preferred. Candidates must have at least 2 years of experience and hold current CPR/First Aid certification.
Market context
Lead teacher openings in Tennessee are often driven by ongoing staffing needs in early childhood programs, especially for candidates who can step into classroom leadership quickly. These roles are competitive because employers commonly look for a CDA or associate’s degree, 2+ years of early childhood experience, and current CPR/First Aid, with a bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education preferred. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save research time, then confirm your credentials and certification dates before applying.