Lead Teacher- IL
About The Position
Children of America (COA), a nationally accredited preschool with more than 65 locations across 18 states, is hiring a Lead Teacher. The role works alongside a team of educators in a supportive environment and interacts daily with children, parents, management, and teaching staff to support a collaborative, positive learning environment. COA serves children ages 6 weeks to 12 years through Infant, Toddler, Preschool, Pre-K, Before & After Care, and Summer Camp programs. The Lead Teacher carries out daily lesson plans, helps create a safe, structured, and positive learning environment, and leads classroom instruction using COA's Mind and Body Matters curriculum. The role includes communicating with families and colleagues, documenting and delivering child progress reports using technology, and responding empathetically to children's emotions and parents' needs. Teachers are expected to set age-appropriate expectations and bring creativity, passion, and engagement to their work. COA describes its shared values as accountability, collaboration, a growth mindset, integrity, and consistency. Employment offers are contingent on a successful background check and submission of required state documents.
Requirements
- CDA or 60 semester hours of college credits, including 6 credits in Early Childcare.
- At least 1 year of experience in a licensed childcare setting.
- CPR and First Aid certification.
- Meet all state licensing requirements.
- Strong organizational and decision-making skills.
- Ability to build positive relationships with children, families, and staff.
- Flexibility and adaptability in challenging situations.
- Commitment to professional growth.
Responsibilities
- Carry out daily lesson plans.
- Assist in creating a safe, structured, and positive learning environment.
- Communicate professionally with parents, children, and team members.
- Use technology to document and deliver child progress reports.
- Show empathy toward children's emotions and parents' needs.
- Present age-appropriate expectations for children.
- Lead classroom instruction using COA's Mind and Body Matters curriculum.
- Demonstrate creativity, passion, and engagement in the work.
- Uphold COA's values of accountability, collaboration, growth mindset, integrity, and consistency.
Benefits
- Internal career advancement opportunities.
- 50% employee childcare discount.
- Educational assistance and T.E.A.C.H. scholarship partnerships.
- Employee referral bonuses and recognition programs.
- Medical, dental, vision, life, accident, and disability benefits.
- 401(k) retirement plan.
- Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays.
- May be eligible for performance-based incentives or other benefits.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
Associate degree
