Lead Early Childhood Teachers

The Gardner School — Minnetonka, MN
$19.00 – $23.00 per hour | Full-Time | CDA or Associate’s in ECE Required | Bachelor’s Preferred

We're Hiring! Join our team as a Lead Teacher at The Gardner School of Minnetonka!

At The Gardner School of Minnetonka, 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 your classroom with warmth, creativity, and excellence

• Mentor assistant teachers and model The Gardner School’s core values

• Build lasting relationships with families through communication and collaboration

• Create developmentally appropriate lesson plans that support exploration and growth

• Ensure classroom safety, compliance, and a joyful, nurturing environment

What We Offer:

• Competitive Pay: $19.00 – $23.00 per hour, based on education and experience

• Additional Compensation: Our school participates in the Minnesota Great Start Compensation Support Payment Program, providing financial support to eligible early childhood educators

• 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, access to our company-sponsored CDA program, and a supportive, mission-driven culture.

Qualifications:

Education/Certification:

• Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education or related, or CDA (required); Bachelor's degree (preferred).

• 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.

• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English fluently, sufficient to communicate effectively with students, families, and staff, implement curriculum and safety procedures, and complete written reports.

• Interest in growing within a supportive, mission-driven preschool environment.

• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

If you’re passionate about nurturing young children and growing your career in early childhood education, come teach with us at The Gardner School of Minnetonka!

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.