Preschool Lead Teacher

Scope Of Responsibilities

• Promote and model high quality teaching and learning in the classroom that fosters kindergarten readiness.
• Demonstrate culturally and linguistically appropriate practices that values all children and families and makes them feel welcomed and an essential part of the program.
• Maintain awareness and supervision of children’s needs and ensure their physical health and safety, at all times.
• Communicate and develop effective partnerships with parents and families, encouraging parent involvement.
• Abside by DCFS and all quality standards for maintaining safe, high-quality programming.
• Collaborate regularly with classroom team including families, volunteers and all staff.
• Collect and use multiple data sources, both formative and summative, to inform instruction and child centered learning and development.
• Complete routine professional development annually; utilize continuous quality improvement (CQI); and identify different instructional resources and methods to meet children's varying needs and improve the classroom experience for children and families.
• Participate and support association/center efforts towards recruitment, enrollment, attendance and retention of families while supporting the YMCA's mission and center operations as needed.

Lesson Planning And Classroom Management

• Develop lesson plans with goals, objectives, activities and outcomes for children that represent the Illinois Early Learning Standards.
• Implement high quality, developmentally appropriate instructional activities and curriculum approaches (like Creative Curriculum™) that facilitate active learning experiences and promote the social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of each child; while ensuring the program follows DCFS, YMCA, ExceleRate Illinois™, and NAEYC accreditation standards, if applicable.
• Research, plan, and implement appropriate studies/projects for an in-depth investigation of a topic over time.
• Establish and maintain an attractive, clean, safe and engaging classroom environment which includes positive guidance techniques and that encourages children's independence and self-selection of activities.
• Leverage the physical environment and pedagogical documentation to support teaching and learning practices.
• Use observational and child data to plan developmentally appropriate and engaging early learning experiences based upon the emergent needs of the child.
• Documents observations and maintains child portfolios to aid in assessments.

Requirements

• Must meet DCFS licensing, and program related accreditation/credentialing requirements; ECE Credential Level 1 or higher preferred.
• OR 64 semester hours in any discipline with a minimum of 21 hours of college credit in child development, early childhood education or early childhood special education AND ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
• Gateways to Opportunity Level I Illinois Director Credential
• 3 semester hours of college credit in administration, leadership or management
• 3 points of credential-approved training in administration, leadership or management.
• One year experience teaching or equivalent in a preschool classroom strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of how to design and implement the Creative Curriculum and other high quality curriculum approaches preferred.
• Pre-Employment medical screening and TB test per program requirements.

Benefits

• Competitive salaries reflecting your skills and experience.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance for eligible employees, plus wellness programs, mental health resources, and a family gym membership.
• Generous PTO and paid holidays, with flexible work hours for work-life balance.
• 403(b) plan with company contributions for eligible employees after 2 years of service.
• Continuous learning opportunities through workshops and training programs.
• Supportive work environment valuing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Discounts on programs, employee assistance programs, and company-sponsored events.