The Gardner School·Naperville, Illinois
Lead and inspire the classroom with engaging, developmentally appropriate lessons while mentoring assistant teachers. Build meaningful relationships with families and children while maintaining a safe and joyful environment.
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 Naperville South!
We have an exciting opportunity for Lead Teachers working in our State-of-the-Art facility.
At The Gardner School of Naperville South, 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: 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: 1+ 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 one year of early childhood education experience and current CPR/First Aid certification.
Market context
Lead Teacher openings in Illinois often reflect steady demand in early childhood programs, especially for candidates who can meet credential and experience requirements. This role is competitive because employers typically look for a CDA or Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education, relevant experience, and current CPR/First Aid certification, while benefits may include health, dental, vision, paid holidays, and a 401(k) match. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this platform to save time, then confirm your ECE credits and certification before applying.