Lead Teacher (Early Childhood 0-3)

About the role

El Hogar del Niño, now part of Brightpoint, has been a leader in providing high-quality early childhood care and education services, with an expert focus on the needs of Latinx and newly arriving families in the Pilsen community for 50 years. Brightpoint and El Hogar Del Niño believe that family is the most important asset for child and youth wellbeing, rooted in a shared commitment to early childhood care and education. As Lead Teacher, you will implement Head Start standards for children aged 0-3 and their families, ensuring services are individualized and meet the social, emotional, developmental, and intellectual needs of your students.

This Early Childhood Education Center holds COA and NAEYC accreditation and an ExceleRate Gold Circle of Quality designation. You’ll join a cohesive team with supportive, high-quality supervision in a classroom setting at El Hogar del Niño.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement individualized learning that meets the social, emotional, developmental, and intellectual needs of all children in the classroom.
• Maintain knowledge of Center philosophy and classroom operations, including Head Start program performance standards, ISBE requirements, and NAEYC requirements.
• Implement classroom curriculum to support high-quality teaching and learning practices, reflecting mandated elements, parental and cultural influences, and promoting social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development.
• Conduct developmental screenings and regular assessments; use information for lesson planning.
• Enter all required information on children, including assessment results, into the data management system.
• Identify children who may require additional assistance and work with supervisor to make appropriate referrals.
• Complete weekly child observations and enter them into the organization’s assessment tool; ensure observations are completed by classroom staff and assist as needed.
• Meet weekly with classroom and other staff to review lesson plans, share teaching strategies, and discuss children’s progress.
• Mentor and train Teachers, Classroom Support Aides, student interns, and volunteers in basic child development and classroom techniques.
• Assist supervisor in completing annual performance reviews and other performance management activities for classroom staff.
• Lead integration of supplemental learning initiatives for parents and children into the classroom and plan regular activities for parents to connect home and classroom learning.
• Complete and submit required monthly reports, monitoring reports, and all other documentation to supervisor as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field with a minimum of 24 hours of Early Childhood Education classes required.
• Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Early Childhood Education Level 5 Credential required.
• Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Infant Toddler Level 5 Credential required.
• Minimum of two years working with children and/or families required.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred. Candidates without the required degree/credentials may be considered with an approved educational plan.

Pay

Salary range is between $45,000–$50,000. Offers are based on experience, and bilingual candidates may receive additional compensation.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Three scheduled weeks of paid time off each year (Spring, Summer, Winter) and additional flexible paid leave that accrues based on tenure.
• 11 paid holidays.
• Supplemental insurance options.
• 401(k) with match.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligibility, as Brightpoint is an approved agency.

Schedule

Full-time, salaried position. The center is open Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM–5:30 PM; assigned shifts will vary.