Pre-School Lead Teacher

About the Role

Metropolitan Family Services empowers families to learn, to earn, to heal, to thrive. As a Lead Pre-School Teacher at our HACC Family Center in Chicago, you will play a key role in planning and implementing individualized curriculum that addresses the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive needs of children ages 3-5. This position works under the general supervision of the Site Supervisor and operates on a 43-week schedule.

Pay

The average starting salary for this position ranges from $50,000 to $55,000 annually, based on skills, credentials, and experience level.

A $3,000 sign-on bonus is available for first-time employees with Metropolitan Family Services: $750 on the first paycheck, $1,250 after 6 months of employment, and $1,000 after one year.

Benefits

Employees working at least 20.75 hours per week are eligible for benefits on a prorated basis, including:

• Generous PTO: up to 6 weeks annually, plus 12 paid holidays
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Metropolitan Family Services contributions of $2,000 to individual and $4,000 to family HSA accounts (prorated to benefits start date)
• FREE General Medicine and Behavioral Health Teladoc services
• Ascensus 401K plan with a 4% employer match, vested at 100% on day one of eligibility
• Continuous career development and support

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement individualized curriculum that addresses the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive needs of children
• Ensure staff adherence to Head Start Standards and facilitate teaching methods and activities
• Collaborate with Family Support Workers, Teacher’s Assistants, Program Aides, site partners, and the Site Supervisor for classroom and family betterment
• Participate in ongoing CLASS implementation and monitoring
• Guide and facilitate children’s activities, ensuring appropriate child guidance, discipline, proper ratios, and active supervision
• Attend all mandated trainings and set/achieve professional development goals
• Maintain high-quality documentation of school readiness skills using Teaching Strategies Gold and ensure Interrater Reliability
• Implement the program’s Planned Language Approach to support dual language learners
• Communicate with families through monthly newsletters, family conference forms, and education home visits
• Maintain accurate teacher and child files, and ensure compliance with transportation safety procedures, including bus attendance logs
• Ensure accurate completion of CACFP documents in conjunction with teaching staff
• Build and maintain positive relationships with parents, volunteers, and staff
• Support teaching staff in ongoing observation and documentation of Teaching Strategies Gold portfolios
• Work with the Site Supervisor and Family Support Worker to identify and serve children with disabilities
• Submit weekly lesson plans, including individualization for all children, and monitor/facilitate accommodations listed in IEPs and IFSPs
• Use the playground as an extension of the classroom, ensuring safety and active supervision
• Provide site management in the absence of the Site Supervisor and serve as the agency representative during DCFS visits
• Ensure compliance with the agency’s code of conduct and fiscal integrity, including purchase approval procedures
• Assist in the development of the agency’s annual Head Start self-assessment and ensure accurate data reflection in the agency’s PIR
• Participate in program recruitment efforts to maintain full enrollment
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or Education from an accredited college or university OR Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education
• For Lead Teachers working with children ages 3-5: PEL or a Gateways ECE Level 5 Credential while working toward receiving PEL
• For Lead Teachers working with children ages 0-3: Bachelor’s degree with a Gateways IT Level 5 Credential
• Ability to obtain appropriate Gateways to Opportunity Level 5 Credential
• Demonstrated ability to plan and implement learning experiences that advance children’s intellectual and physical development, including literacy awareness and approaches to learning
• Experience establishing and maintaining a safe, healthy learning environment for infants and toddlers
• Ability to support the social and emotional development of children and encourage family involvement
• Excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work in a complex environment and with diverse individuals and groups
• Regular access to reliable transportation or a reliable vehicle with insurance
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including some evenings and/or weekends if needed
• Satisfactorily pass a health examination, fingerprint, and criminal background check
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team setting
• Mobility for travel required

Skills

• Team collaboration and leadership
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations
• Proficiency in using Teaching Strategies Gold and maintaining documentation
• Knowledge of Head Start Standards and CLASS implementation
• Experience with the Planned Language Approach for dual language learners
• Ability to manage classroom safety, including playground supervision and transportation procedures

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit and stand for sustained periods
• Frequent talking, hearing, and use of hands/fingers to handle or operate objects/controls
• Occasional bending, stretching, stooping, kneeling, and crouching
• Close visual acuity for preparing/analyzing data, transcribing, and viewing a computer terminal
• Occasional lifting and/or moving up to 50 pounds

About Us

At Metropolitan Family Services, community is at the heart of all we do. Since 1857, we have empowered families to learn, earn, heal, and thrive. As part mentor, motivator, and advocate, we are driven by a mission to create positive change in the lives of the families and communities we serve.