Full-Time Preschool Lead Teacher

About the position

Fry Family YMCA is now hiring a full-time Preschool Teacher - Director Qualified (DQ). As a Lead Teacher you are responsible for providing a safe and supportive classroom environment for preschool children ages 3-5 while preparing for kindergarten readiness. Using Creative Curriculum and Illinois Early Learning Standards, the Lead Teacher will write and implement a lesson plan that will support the growth and development in children's physical, emotional, cognitive, and social skills while ensuring developmentally appropriate practices. The Lead Teacher is also responsible for classroom management and supervision of children, learning, assessment and evaluations, as well as following policies set forth by DCFS and YMCA standards and policies, as applicable. This position pays $43,888 per year with full-time benefits and opportunities to grow within the organization! We are currently looking for someone who has availability Monday-Friday between the hours of 7:00am-6:00pm.

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.
• Abide 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 OR 3 semester hours of college credit in administration, leadership or management OR 3 points of credential-approved training in administration, leadership or management.
• One year experience teaching or equivalent in a preschool classroom strongly preferred.
• Must provide documentation of Gateways credentialing or apply within 90 days of employment.
• 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.
• Required to be achieved or maintained once in role: Food Handlers Training.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans for eligible employees, along with access to wellness programs, mental health resources, and a family gym membership.
• Generous paid time off (PTO), including paid holidays.
• Flexible work hours to help you balance your personal and professional life.
• 403(b) plan with company contributions for eligible employees after 2 years of service.
• Opportunities for continuous learning through workshops and training programs.
• A supportive work environment that values diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Discounts on programs, employee assistance programs, and company-sponsored events.