Lead Teacher (Early Childhood 3-5)

Brightpoint • Schaumburg, IL

7d • Onsite

About The Position

Brightpoint is seeking a Lead Teacher to implement Head Start standards for children aged 3–5 and their families. The role ensures that services are individualized and meet students’ social, emotional, developmental, and intellectual needs. The position is based in a classroom at the Marletta Darnall Schaumburg Child & Family Center, an early childhood education center with COA and NAEYC accreditation and an ExceleRate Gold Circle of Quality designation. The center describes its team style as cohesive and its supervision as supportive and high quality.

The Lead Teacher develops and implements classroom learning, curriculum, and assessment practices; supports family engagement; and mentors classroom staff, student interns, and volunteers. The role also includes maintaining program and regulatory knowledge, making referrals in coordination with a supervisor, and completing required documentation.

This is a full-time, salaried position. The center is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; assigned shifts vary. The salary range is $57,000–$59,000, with offers commensurate with experience. Bilingual candidates may receive additional compensation. Brightpoint notes that its posted salary estimate may change and that final pay depends on factors including experience, education, qualifications, skills, certifications, and organizational needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field, with at least 24 hours of Early Childhood Education classes.
• Illinois Professional Educators License (PEL), or ability to obtain it within 24 months of employment.
• Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Early Childhood Education Level 5 Credential.
• At least two years of experience working with children and/or families.
• Candidates without the required degree or credentials may be considered with an approved educational plan.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual ability may qualify candidates for additional compensation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement individualized learning that meets the social, emotional, developmental, and intellectual needs of children in the classroom.
• Maintain knowledge of the Center’s philosophy and classroom operations, including Head Start program performance standards, ISBE requirements, and applicable NAEYC requirements.
• Implement classroom curriculum that reflects mandated elements and components as well as parental and cultural influences, and promotes children’s social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development.
• Conduct developmental screenings and regular assessments, and use the information for lesson planning.
• Enter required child information, including assessment results, into the data management system.
• Identify children who may need additional assistance and work with a supervisor to make appropriate referrals.
• Complete weekly child observations and enter them into the organization’s assessment tool; ensure classroom staff complete observations and assist them as needed.
• Meet weekly with classroom and other staff as required to review lesson plans, share teaching strategies, and discuss children’s progress.
• Mentor and train Teachers, Classroom Support Aides, student interns, and volunteers assigned to the classroom in basic child development and classroom techniques.
• Assist the supervisor with annual performance reviews and other performance-management activities for classroom staff.
• Lead the integration of supplemental learning initiatives for parents and children into the classroom, and plan and implement regular activities connecting home and classroom learning.
• Complete and submit required monthly reports, monitoring reports, and other assigned documentation to the supervisor.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Three scheduled weeks of paid time off each year (Spring, Summer, and Winter).
• Additional flexible paid leave that accrues based on tenure.
• 11 paid holidays.
• Supplemental insurance options.
• 401(k) with employer match.
• Leadership development opportunities and one-on-one mentorship for Emerging Leaders.
• Brightpoint is an approved agency for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior