Early Head Start Lead Teacher

Educare Chicago provides high-quality care, best-in-class education, and a stimulating learning environment to children from birth to five years old on Chicago’s South Side. As a program that serves low-income families, Educare’s research-based program helps children develop the literacy, language, early math, and social-emotional skills they need to succeed in kindergarten and beyond.

We are recruiting individuals who want to join us in this mission and share a commitment to our core values of appreciation & respect, empowerment, diversity, excellence, learning, and communication.

Your role will report to, and be supported by, the Mentor Teacher, who is onsite to help guide and inform your lesson practice and planning as a part of the Educare Chicago structure. As the Lead Teacher, you will work in tandem with the Mentor Teacher on devising comprehensive lesson plans based upon Educare Chicago’s research-based methods for instruction. Lesson planning will entail devising individualized lesson plans for all children within your classroom, creating developmentally appropriate content based upon the ages and abilities within your classroom, and a commitment to best-in-class practices. Your role will also involve the implementation and management of the day-to-day lesson plans.

Working Closely with your Mentor Teacher, Teacher Aide, and Teacher Assistant, you will:

• Utilize standardized and authentic assessment data to plan and implement developmentally appropriate experiences and individualized lesson plans that will promote the social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of each child.
• Adhere to all Individualized Education Programs, Individualized Family Service Plans, and/or Individualized Health Care Plans and strategies provided by Education Managers or Consultants.
• Establish and manage a classroom environment that ensures appropriate child guidance and discipline techniques are implemented in accordance with Educare’s philosophy, curriculum, policies and procedures, Head Start standards, and Start Early’s standards of conduct and state regulations.
• Observe, assess, and document each assigned child’s health, skills, and behavioral, growth and development.
• Identify any developmental concerns regarding the children and follow agency protocol.
• Manage and delegate responsibilities regarding daily attendance, health checks, parent sign/scan in, and meal participation reports are completed daily.
• Participate in Family/Child Reviews.
• Participate in recruitment efforts to help maintain full program enrollment.
  
  

Job Requirements:

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Must have excellent command of the English language and grammar, both verbal and written.
• Must be able to manually operate and use a computer and other office equipment.
• Ability to clearly hear and understand telephone conversations.
  
  

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in ECE, CD, or related field with a minimum of 27 credits in ECE and two years’ experience in a relevant early childhood group setting required.
• Early Head Start: Infant Studies Certificate (in 0-3 age classrooms), or Level 5 Infant Toddler Credential.
• Clearance of background check by Department of Children and Family Services.
• A biannual physical examination and TB test are required as condition of initial employment and continued employment.
• Must be able to physically interact with children, including talk, hear, sit, stand, walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and lift and or move items of up to 40 pounds.
  
  

Receive a signing bonus up to $5000!

Salary: $53,799 - $63,294

Our generous benefit plan includes: Comprehensive Health Plans, Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Holistic Wellness Program, Professional Development Program, 401k Contribution, Paid Volunteer Days, 6-months paid parental leave and much more.

Start Early is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to our core values by creating an inclusive environment for all staff.