Head Teacher, CDL

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign•Urbana, IL

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Head Teacher provides leadership for the daily functioning of one classroom in the Child Development Laboratory (CDL), coordinating, planning, and implementing programming for a preschool or childcare classroom. The position develops and implements curricula based on developmental assessments and leads classroom staff in supporting children’s intellectual, social-emotional, and physical development. The Head Teacher collaborates with CDL administrators and staff to develop and carry out a coherent program philosophy, communicates with families about children’s progress, and maintains developmental records and weekly lesson plans. The role also supports the CDL’s research, demonstration, and training mission. The Head Teacher works with researchers to facilitate classroom projects, protect children’s well-being during research activities, and provide input on research protocols. The position coordinates undergraduate and graduate student placements, trains and evaluates interns, and supervises assistant teachers, student staff, and volunteers. It also oversees caregiving routines, health and safety practices, equipment use, and compliance with DCFS licensing and accreditation standards. This is a full-time, 12-month Academic Professional appointment for a full-day classroom (Toddlers 2). Work is expected on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus. The expected start date is as soon as possible after November 16, 2026. The budgeted salary range is $46,203 to $48,000. Work authorization sponsorship is not available.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development, Early Childhood Education, or a closely related field.
Experience teaching in preschool and/or day care.
A current medical examination record on a form prescribed by the Department is required.
Must work on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus on a full-time basis.
Work authorization sponsorship is not available for this position.

Nice To Haves

Master of Science degree in Child Development, Early Childhood Education, or a closely related field.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with CDL administrators and staff to develop and implement the program philosophy and program for young children.
Lead bi-weekly developmental meetings with assistant teachers, including training and discussion of child development, assessments, observation, documentation, and classroom planning.
Plan and develop curricula from developmental assessments and direct classroom programming to promote children’s intellectual, social-emotional, and physical development.
Conduct formal and informal developmental assessments of each child and maintain records of children’s developmental progress and concerns.
Communicate classroom and individual child progress and concerns to the Associate Director, parents, staff, student interns, and volunteers as appropriate.
Develop goals and objectives for individual children and share them with relevant staff, students, volunteers, and parents.
Communicate and cooperate with parents daily, provide counseling as needed, and report children’s progress through twice-yearly parent-teacher conferences and written documentation.
Prepare and publish weekly lesson plans based on children’s developmental needs and established goals.
Collaborate with the Associate Director and Director to facilitate research, demonstration, and training projects in the classroom.
Monitor researcher-child interactions, support children’s participation, ensure opportunities for valid data collection, and ensure compliance with research protocols that safeguard children.
Participate in teacher-focused research projects and provide input to researchers developing protocols and procedures.
Arrange undergraduate and graduate student intern placements and coordinate classroom experiences with instructors and course requirements.
Train and guide student interns on program goals, procedures, expectations, schedules, emergency procedures, and classroom responsibilities; provide opportunities to discuss classroom concerns.
Evaluate student interns through written and in-person feedback, review of planned activities and developmental anecdotes, and formal mid-term and final evaluations.
Coordinate non-traditional class projects and volunteer opportunities for students, and report intern progress and concerns to instructors and administrators.
Participate in outreach activities in local, state, and national early childhood communities.
Supervise, train, and provide daily feedback to assistant teachers, student staff, and volunteers; report staff performance concerns to the Associate Director.
Evaluate assistant teachers and provide written performance reviews at least annually.
Implement, supervise, or delegate health and safety procedures and maintain standards required by DCFS licensing and accreditation criteria.
Ensure classroom staff appropriately use and care for classroom equipment and materials.
Ensure children’s physical needs are met, including feeding, naps, and related caregiving routines.
Participate in staff meetings to identify issues, review classroom status and standards, and implement needed changes.
Participate in professional development required by DCFS licensing regulations and accreditation standards.