Preschool Teacher

German International School Chicago•Chicago, IL

16d•Onsite

About The Position

The German International School Chicago (GISC) is seeking a qualified Early Childhood Educator to join one of our preschool groups. GISC is a nonprofit, bilingual private school offering a rich international learning environment. Our preschool program consists of two to three groups, each with a maximum of 16 children from age 3-5 years old and two educators per group. We are an immersion-based program with German as the primary language of instruction.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a closely related field preferred
Alternatively: A German state-recognized qualification ( staatliche Anerkennung als Erzieher/in ) or a degree in Childhood Education ( Kindheitspädagogik, B.A. )
Experience working with children ages 3–6 in a licensed preschool, daycare, or early childhood setting
Fluency in German is required (near-native proficiency expected), as German is the primary language of instruction in the classroom; native German speakers are strongly preferred
Strong German and English communication skills required for effective collaboration with families and colleagues
Strong understanding of child development and developmentally appropriate practice (DAP), including play-based and inquiry-based learning
Experience supporting early language development and emergent literacy; experience in bilingual or immersion settings is a plus
Ability to plan and implement age-appropriate curriculum aligned with children’s developmental needs, including differentiated instruction
Demonstrated skills in classroom management, with a focus on positive guidance and social-emotional development
Experience working collaboratively in a teaching team and maintaining professional, responsive communication with families
Strong organizational skills, reliability, and ability to work both independently and as part of a team
High level of cultural competence and ability to work effectively in an international school environment

Nice To Haves

experience in bilingual or immersion settings is a plus

Responsibilities

Plan and implement developmentally appropriate, play-based learning experiences that support children’s cognitive, social-emotional, and language development within a German immersion environment
Create a safe, nurturing, and engaging classroom environment, using positive guidance strategies to support children’s behavior and independence
Observe, document, and assess children’s development, and communicate regularly with families about children’s progress and learning experiences
Participating in team meetings and professional workshops
Conducting parent-teacher conferences
Contributing to school-wide events and activities
Collaborating with colleagues on curriculum planning and development