Preschool Lead Teacher

Breakthrough•Chicago, IL

25d•$60,000 - $65,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Preschool Lead Teacher serves within the Breakthrough Youth Network (BYN) –Breakthrough Beginners program and is responsible for partnering with the Director and classroom staff to plan, lead, and support the daily operations of a classroom serving children ages 3–5. A Preschool Lead Teacher at Breakthrough is responsible for delivering comprehensive early childhood education services to children in a safe, nurturing environment. In this position, teachers are expected to collaborate effectively with their teaching team to provide a seamless educational experience for children. This role is responsible for planning and implementing structured educational activities based on program curriculum. At all times, teachers must ensure adherence with licensing standards and funder requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education required, PEL required
Gateways ECE Credential Level 5 required
One (1) year previous direct early childhood classroom experience OR 1-2 years related experience
Excellent interpersonal communication and organization skills.
Ability to pass a criminal record and child abuse/neglect registry check.
Must be able to lift up to 50lbs (average child’s weight).
Communicates effectively, both orally and in writing.
Interpret and explain policies, procedures, and relevant laws.
Ability to demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, professionalism and problem-solving skills.
Ability to display a warm, supportive attitude toward all people
Ability to demonstrate initiative and follow-through and be comfortable working in a changing environment
Demonstrates a willingness to consistently improve work performance through relationships and guidance.
Maintain a high degree of sensitivity, tact, and diplomacy during stressful situations.
Maintain confidentiality with sensitive information.
Ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

Nice To Haves

Experience with multi-cultural programming preferred.

Responsibilities

Demonstrates knowledge and acts in compliance with DCFS, City of Chicago, DFSS and Head Start regulations and standards
Understands and adheres to CLASS, ECERS, Teaching Strategies, Creative Curriculum and other classroom tools
Collaborates with the teaching team to create a classroom environment that reflects diverse races, cultures, and languages, and adapts instruction to meet the varied needs of all children.
Completes child meal preparation sheets, child development files, anecdotal and developmental observations of each child, maintaining confidentiality of family records and information
Collaboratively plans developmentally appropriate activities for small/large groups that address the needs identified in assessments. Activities must promote multiculturalism and aid in the development of critical-thinking skills.
Documents children’s growth and development using written observations, photography and assessment tools.
Conducts daily child health checks, documents findings, and ensures timely follow-up as needed.
Actively supervises and engages with all students at all times while they are in their care.
Enjoys family-style mealtimes with students and encourages them to serve and feed themselves independently.
Changes diapers and pull-ups, as needed, and assists students with toileting routines.
Builds strong, positive relationships with parents/guardians through daily greetings, consistent communication, and by offering experiences that affirm their role as their child’s primary influence in growth and development.
Encourages parents to participate in the classroom and engage with both the Parent Committee and Policy Committee.
Participates in annual parent orientation/open house at least twice per year.
Utilizes the assistance of the Family Support Staff, Mental Health Consultant and other professionals to assist and refer parents to community resources.
Conducts and participates in home visits twice per year during designated timeframes.
Participates in agency outreach and recruitment events, including evenings and weekends.
Participates in supervision meetings and relevant workshops within the center and externally (when applicable).
Engages in civic-engagement activities that advance Breakthrough’s mission.
Assists center personnel in planning special events and other enrichment activities.
Attends and engages in professional development opportunities, such as staff meetings, in-service trainings, and conferences.
Participates in at least 20 hours of professional development annually.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Independently follows Breakthrough Beginners’ policy and procedures.
Follows through with commitments, including meeting established timelines.
Identifies and resolves difficult issues .
Maintains a professional appearance at all times, demonstrating appropriate hygiene and grooming.
Promotes customer care through all actions and behaviors.
Works effectively with diverse staff, communities and population served.
Maintains a high degree of sensitivity, tact, and diplomacy during stressful situations.
Demonstrates a strong commitment to Breakthrough’s mission.

Benefits

Medical - We offer group medical benefits through UnitedHealthcare to full-time employees. You have the option of choosing between a PPO or HMO plans. Depending on the plan you choose, there may be no cost for an employee single coverage. There is a cost per pay period for coverage for family (i.e., employee plus spouse; employee plus child(ren) or employee plus spouse and child(ren).
Dental - We offer group dental benefits through UnitedHealthcare to full-time employees. You have the option of choosing between a PPO or HMO. This is an employee paid benefit.
Vision - We offer group vision benefits through UnitedHealthcare to full-time employees. This is an employee paid benefit.
Life - Through UnitedHealthcare, we offer full-time employees term life insurance to the employee’s family in case of death. The cost of this benefit is paid fully by the organization.
Short and long-term disability - If you become disabled, UnitedHealthcare provides both short-term and long-term disability insurance to full-time employees. The cost of this benefit is paid fully by the organization.
401 (k) Plan - We offer a 401(k) plan which is a tax-deferred annuity to assist full-time employees in planning for retirement. We match 50% of your contribution up to a total of 3% of your base salary.
Section 125 Plan (FSA) - Through TASC, we allow full-time employees to make contributions toward premiums for medical insurance, out-of-pocket medical expenses, dependent care expenses, and/or transit and parking on a “before tax” rather than an “after tax” basis.
Vacation Days - Full-time employees in this position are eligible to accrue vacation days at a rate of 6.67 – 13.33 days per month based on tenure with the organization.
Personal Days - Full-time employees in this position are eligible for up to 3 personal days annually, pro-rated in year one.
Sick Days - Full-time employees in this position are eligible for up to 10 sick days annually, pro-rated in year one.