Lead Toddler and Early Preschool Teacher

The Goddard School•Chicago, IL

15d•Onsite

About The Position

The Goddard School of South Loop is looking for experienced and passionate Lead Teachers for our Toddler and Early Preschool classrooms. We believe children thrive when they are surrounded by teachers who are nurturing, dependable, engaged and genuinely excited to help them grow. We also believe great teachers deserve a workplace that invests in them. Our goal is to build a team of educators who don't simply supervise children—we want teachers who build relationships, create meaningful learning experiences, take ownership of their classrooms, support their teammates, and continue growing professionally. As a Lead Teacher, you will take an active leadership role in your classroom and help create a safe, loving and engaging environment for children.

Requirements

Genuinely enjoy spending their day with young children
Are warm, patient and nurturing
Understand that active supervision and children's safety come first
Take ownership of their classroom rather than waiting to be told what needs to be done
Are dependable and understand how much their attendance matters to children and their teammates
Communicate professionally with families, coworkers and leadership
Are comfortable receiving feedback and interested in continuing to grow
Work well as part of a team
Bring positive energy and solutions when challenges arise
Understand that teaching young children involves much more than completing a lesson plan—it is about relationships, engagement, observation and purposeful interactions throughout the entire day
Willing to learn, receptive to coaching and committed to becoming stronger educators
Experience working with toddlers and/or preschool-age children
Ability to meet the physical requirements of an early childhood classroom
Commitment to maintaining all licensing, health and safety requirements
Candidate must be CO-VID vaccinated

Nice To Haves

Early Childhood Education coursework, degree, CDA or equivalent qualifications preferred
Ability to meet Illinois DCFS Lead Teacher requirements for the assigned classroom
Experienced Assistant Teachers who meet Lead Teacher qualifications and are ready to take the next step in their career are also encouraged to apply

Responsibilities

Build warm, trusting relationships with children and families
Provide attentive, active supervision throughout the day
Plan and implement engaging, developmentally appropriate learning experiences
Create a classroom environment where children can explore, learn and develop independence
Observe children's development and individual needs
Maintain regular classroom documentation and family communication
Establish consistent classroom routines and positive guidance practices
Keep your classroom organized, welcoming and prepared for learning
Work collaboratively with supporting teachers and provide classroom leadership and direction
Participate in school events, professional development and team initiatives
Partner with our leadership team when challenges arise rather than feeling like you have to solve everything alone