Preschool Lead Teacher

Early Childhood Teacher

About Momentum Academy

Momentum Academy is a PK-8 public charter school district in St. Louis City committed to fostering love, wellness, growth, and academic excellence. We build character, confidence, and community by supporting scholars, families, and staff to thrive together.

Thrive At Momentum

Momentum is committed to acting with integrity and joy. We provide robust benefits, professional development, wellness supports, and a culture rooted in love, integrity, collaboration, solutions-driven mindsets, and joy. Staff thrive through research-based coaching, highly rated instructional materials, restorative practices, dedicated wellness spaces, and significant employer-paid benefits.

Why Choose Momentum?

• Competitive salary schedule with transparent pay equity
• Merit Pay opportunities for high performance
• Over 5 weeks of breaks (Fall, Winter, Spring, Care Break)
• Paid Time Off and PTO rollover
• Employer-paid short/long-term disability
• Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance (including dependent insurance contributions)
• Retirement benefits through PSRS-STL (Momentum contributes ~14%)
• Research-based coaching & professional development
• Intellectual Preparation & Learning Communities
• Certification and continuing education assistance
• Staff wellness budget and dedicated wellness spaces
• Free staff breakfast and lunch
• Enrollment preference for staff children

Role Overview

The Preschool Lead Teacher commits to teaching and leading Momentum's mission, instructional vision, and excellence for our scholars in Preschool. The Preschool Lead Teacher will work collaboratively with the Principal to internalize and deliver engaging lessons from our PreK curriculum. The Preschool teacher will collaborate with special education and EL teachers to provide appropriate accommodations for scholars, and support the daily instructional and technical operations of the classroom.

Essential Responsibilities

• Establish a positive, achievement-oriented and structured learning environment where all scholars are invested in their academic excellence and character growth and can fulfill their potential
• Planning and implementing a program of instruction and lesson plans.
• Preparing scholars for exams.
• Inspiring and motivating scholars to extend themselves to after school music clubs.
• Building relationships and mentoring scholars.
• Evaluate individual scholar academic progress through regular and varied assessments
• Assume responsibility for scholar success by holding all scholars accountable to school-wide behavioral expectations
• Recognize, celebrate and reward scholar achievement and character development
• Build rapport with scholars, parents, and families
• Continually improve teaching skills by seeking out constructive feedback and professional development opportunities
• Actively and professionally participate in all faculty and staff meetings, professional development, and events
• Assist with scholar recruitment efforts as neededPerform other duties as requested or required

Educational Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university required
• Missouri Teaching Certification preferred (Grades B-3)

Qualifications

• 1-3 years of experience working with scholars preferred (experience working with scholars and families in urban communities is a plus)
• Strong skills in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Proven track record of scholar achievement results
• Strong organization, planning, and time management skills.
• A tireless work ethic, entrepreneurial spirit, and innovative solution finder.
• Open to feedback and committed to continuously improving.

Compensation

The salary for this position begins at $44,974 for uncertified teachers and increases based on years of experience, certification(s), and highest level of education. The salary begins at $49,000 for certificated teachers and increases based on years of experience and highest levels of education.

Schedule & Work Environment

This role will be effective for the 26-27 school year. Teachers and staff are expected to be present for core hours of 7:30am to 4:00pm during the school year from August to May. Scholars are dismissed at 2pm on Fridays and teachers have time for professional development.

An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.