Lead Teacher – North Lawndale
Reports to Site Manager
MISSION:
Gads
Hill Center, a social service organization established in 1898, creates
opportunities for children and their families to build a better life through
education, access to resources and community engagement.
At
Gads Hill Center we envision a community in which all children benefit from
healthy, financially stable households that support their early learning and
growth. We invest in the potential of children and families through early
childhood education, youth programs, and mental health supports. Ultimately,
Gads Hill Center builds a community where all families can help their children
have access to quality education in order to succeed in school and life.
JOB SUMMARY:
The
Lead Teacher in Gads Hill Center’s Center-Based Early Childhood program is
responsible for ensuring that comprehensive early childhood education services
are delivered to children in a safe, nurturing environment. In this position,
lead teachers are expected to collaborate effectively with their teaching team
to provide a seamless educational experience for children. This position is
responsible for planning and implementing structured educational activities
based on program curriculum. At all times, lead teachers must ensure adherence
with licensing standards and funder requirements.
DUTIES AND
RESPONSIBILITIES:
1.
Collaborates with
teaching team to provide a classroom environment that is reflective of diverse races,
cultures, and languages; adapts teaching in response to children’s differences.
2.
Prepares
attendance records, lesson plans, meal preparation sheets, child development
files, anecdotal and developmental observations of each child, maintaining
confidentiality of family records and information.
3.
Documents
children’s growth and development using written observations, photography, and
assessment tools.
4.
Utilizes
developmental screening tools to determine the individual needs of children and
assists in individualizing curriculum.
5.
Completes weekly
team meetings to discuss lesson planning, reporting requirements, and the individual
needs of children.
6.
Attends and
engages in professional development opportunities, such as staff meetings,
in-service trainings, and conferences. Participates in at-least 40 hours of
professional development annually.
7.
Collaboratively
plans developmentally-appropriate activities for small/large groups that
address the needs identified in assessments. Activities must promote multiculturalism
and aide in the development of critical-thinking skills.
8.
Assists center
personnel in planning field trips and other enrichment activities.
9.
Develops and
builds positive relationships with parents/guardians by greeting them and
communicating with them, as well as providing experiences that enhance their
roles as their child’s primary influence in growth and development.
10.
Utilizes the
assistance of the Family Support Staff, Mental Health Consultant, and other
professionals to assist and refer parents to community resources.
11.
Encourages
parents to become involved in the classroom, as well as the Parent Committee
and Policy Committee.
12.
Conducts and
participates in home visits twice per year at the designated time.
13.
Demonstrates
knowledge of DCFS, Head Start, and Preschool for All standards and implements
them in all aspects of work.
14.
Understands and
adheres to NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards and Code of Ethics.
15.
Conducts,
documents, and does follow-up on daily child health checks.
16.
Participates in annual
parent orientation/open house, at-least twice per year.
17.
Actively
supervises and interacts with all the students in their care at all times.
18.
Enjoys family-style
meal times with students and encourages them to serve themselves and feed
themselves independently.
19.
Changes diapers
and pull-ups, as needed, and assists students in toileting.
In addition to the
responsibilities listed above, all Gads Hill Center employees are responsible
for the following:
1. Participating in agency outreach and recruitment
events, including evenings and weekends.
2. Participating in supervision meetings and workshops
within the agency and outside (if applicable).
3. Participating in civic engagement activities that
advance the mission of Gads Hill Center.
4. Advancing parent leadership development.
5. Performing other duties, as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and
Illinois Professional Educator License with Early Childhood Education endorsement
required.
2. Bilingual Education endorsement in Spanish preferred.
3. Previous direct early childhood classroom experience
with low-income families preferred.
4. Experience with multi-cultural programming preferred.
5.
Excellent
interpersonal communication and organization skills.
6. Ability to pass a criminal record and child
abuse/neglect registry check.
7. A passion for the mission of Gads Hill Center.
8. Must be able to lift up-to
50 pounds (average child’s weight).
Send resume, cover letter to virizarry02@iwe.staugustine.edu
Include the title of this listing in your email