Lead Pre-K Teacher

Marillac St.Vincent Family Services•Chicago, IL

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the Child Development Supervisor and Child Development Director, the Lead PreK Teacher is responsible for the implementation and coordination of the comprehensive education program in the classroom. This role ensures the teaching team works cooperatively to plan and implement classroom activities and environments that are developmentally appropriate and reflect the agency’s philosophy and curriculum. The Teacher plans and implements a program designed for the emotional, social, educational, and physical development of assigned children. This position requires ensuring that all necessary paperwork for the classroom is completed accurately and submitted in a timely manner, that all enrolled children have appointments and complete home visits and parent-teacher conferences, and that the teaching team is meeting the individual needs of the children as mandated by state and local standards.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) in Early Childhood Education (ECE), Child Development (CD), or related field with a minimum of 36 credits in ECE or CD.
Illinois Gateway Level 5 required.
Illinois Type 04 Teaching Certificate preferred.
Prior teaching experience in a relevant early childhood group setting.
Ability to lead a team approach to teaching.
Strong communication skills.
Able to establish a patient, respectful, trustworthy relationship with children.
Knowledge of Teaching Strategies Gold, Creative Curriculum, and Teaching Strategies Gold online.
Knowledge of NAEYC standards and classroom portfolios.
Good computer skills.
Positive guidance classroom management style.
Ability to work well with others and model professionalism in the classroom.
Ability to read and speak English proficiently.
Knowledge of and ability to implement early childhood curriculum and developmentally appropriate practice for the specific age group (3-5) and be able to remain abreast of developments in the child development field.
Demonstrated leadership abilities and ability to implement reflective discussions and mentoring and coaching.
Ability to communicate and work with diverse families and professionals.
Ability to work as a cooperative and supportive team member.
Ability and willingness to work in a program that services high-risk, low-income community.
Intermediate knowledge of computer applications, word-processing software in a Windows environment and ability to learn and master other computer technology/software as needed.
Ability to communicate and respond in a manner that consistently demonstrates respect and concern.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual is a plus.

Responsibilities

Coach Teacher Assistants in the classroom and model developmentally appropriate practice.
Complete and execute collaborative staff goal setting and implementation, including strengthening teacher-child interactions, curriculum development, child assessments, observation and documentation, integrating content through studies, and partnering with families.
Review staff goals quarterly, develop new goals, and provide feedback and guidance.
Guide, direct, and evaluate Teacher Assistants, Foster Grandparent, and Child Development students.
Conduct team and individual reflective guidance meetings.
Work collaboratively with the team on time off requests.
Develop and maintain confidential education information for each child.
Facilitate and document weekly team meetings.
Ensure all required program documentation is completed accurately and submitted in a timely manner.
Monitor and ensure that daily attendance and meal participation reports are completed.
Ensure all confidential information is protected.
Work collaboratively with Supervisor and Director to assess strengths, challenges, and develop goals annually.
Input classroom data into appropriate information systems.
Observe, assess, and document each child’s health, skills, behavior, growth, and development.
Provide opportunities for children to develop positive self-images and experience success.
Ensure the development of individualized education for each child is documented.
Ensure the development and implementation of individualized educational activities is incorporated into lesson plans for each child.
Identify any developmental concerns regarding the children and follow agency protocol.
Plan and implement developmentally appropriate classroom activities that promote the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of each child.
Develop lesson plans with goals, objectives, activities, and outcomes for children that integrate health, nutrition, mental health, disabilities, and parent involvement.
In collaboration with the Pre-K manager, implement and help assess the program’s educational plan.
Work collaboratively with support staff to integrate assessment results into curriculum and lesson planning.
Establish and maintain a classroom environment with positive guidance techniques that meets state and local licensing regulations, NAEYC performance standards, and St. Vincent’s philosophy and curriculum.
Establish and create a secure environment that invites learning through exploration and discovery.
Ensure that all children are always under appropriate supervision.
Develop and maintain an attractive, clean, safe, and engaging environment that encourages children’s independence and self-selection of activities.
Maintain and care for equipment and materials.
Notify supervisor and appropriate parties of any needed repairs or maintenance in the classroom, playground, gym, and large motor room.
Ensure that daily, weekly, and monthly health and safety policies and procedures are implemented and documented.
Schedule and ensure completion of at least two Parent Teacher conferences for each child.
Encourage and provide opportunities for parent participation in the program.
Provide examples and ideas for educational activities for parent/child participation at home.
Encourage family engagement, including quarterly Family Engagement Events.
Develop effective partnerships with families.
Ensure that the teaching team is sending information and activities via Remind App and TSG familiy.
Attend all required meetings and trainings, including mentoring and coaching trainings.
Regularly participate and make contributions at Teacher meetings, trainings, supervision, weekly team meetings, etc.
Complete a minimal of (20) CEU’s annually to meet DCFS and Accreditation continuing education requirements.
Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of the job description.
Track the utilization of materials, recommends supplies, equipment, and supplies needed for the program.
Provide classroom coverage as needed to ensure teacher-child ratios.
Provide recommendations in the evaluations and corrective actions of Teacher Assistants.
Complete required documentation for monthly State Pre-K reports.
Follow all mandates of NAEYC, state and local licensing, and St. Vincent’s philosophy and curriculum.
Act with integrity and aspire to model our Core Values in the delivery of all services.